The Boeing Company
Methods and Systems for Assembling a Structure

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for placing preforms onto a mandrel. One illustrative method includes moving a mandrel in a process direction relative to a station(s) that comprises multiple pick-and-place machine(s), identifying a tray that stores a preform comprising an unhardened fiber-reinforced material, placing the strong back at the preform via at least one of the pick-and-place machine(s), applying a vacuum to hold the preform in contact with the strong back, transporting the preform to a mandrel via the pick-and-place machine(s), and placing the preform onto the mandrel.