Process planning of aircraft skins NC trimming based on reconfigurable fixture

For aircraft skins NC trimming based on the combination of the reconfigurable fixture (RF) and 5-axis gantry type milling machine, a process planning method was presented. Firstly, the locating principle, design configuration and positioning datum coordination of RF were introduced. Then the process planning analysis was detailed to solve the three problems: reasonable layout, accurate locating and stable fixturing. For the RF developed independently by our group, the implementation approaches were proposed for surface parts fixturing posture positioning, actuator rods strokes calculation, autonomic layout design, and workpiece loading process simulation. Moreover, a special supporting software system was developed. Using arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method, the finite element simulation of aircraft skins perimeter milling was achieved. Finally, a cutting experiment of an aircraft skin part held by RF was done. The errors analysis results show that the machining accuracy can meet production requirements.