US 11,807,395 B2
Assembly line fabrication and assembly of aircraft wings
Daniel R. Smith, Woodinville, WA (US); Darrell D. Jones, Mill Creek, WA (US); Frederick M. Swanstrom, Normandy Park, WA (US); and Monte D. Wright, Kenmore, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/454,277.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/115,052, filed on Nov. 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0153438 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. B64F 5/10 (2017.01); B64F 5/50 (2017.01); B29C 70/34 (2006.01); B29C 70/54 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B64F 5/10 (2017.01) [B29C 70/342 (2013.01); B29C 70/545 (2013.01); B64F 5/50 (2017.01); B29L 2031/3085 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for carrying a wing panel of an aircraft, the method comprising:
aligning a strongback comprising pogos comprising a telescoping length extending beneath the strongback over a wing panel;
attaching the pogos onto an upper surface of the wing panel;
adjusting the telescoping length of at least one of the pogos and thereby enforcing a predetermined contour to the wing panel; and
advancing the wing panel in a process direction through at least one work station using a shuttle coupled to the strongback while enforcing the predetermined contour to the wing panel.