by crj700 » Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:59 pm
OK folks, little course on wing assembly.
The pic shows the wing not completed. Why?
1. The LHS wing skeleton is assembled in horizontal jigs (front spar, rear spar, ribs, some parts of the electrical and fuel systems). Same process for the RHS wing skeleton.
2. The center wing section skeleton is assembled.
3. All 3 skeletons are moved and positionned in a vertical jig (less space and ease of assembly for the workers), where the upper and lower skins are mated and attached with various fasteners.
4. Once completed, the structurally completed wing is moved to an horizontal jig, where the assembly process of the various systems are completed (electrical, fuel, winglets, slats / flaps, ailerons...).
Now, that's how a CRJ wing (or Challenger for that matter) is assembled.
The pic shows the LHS wing with the lower skin already attached; it's being moved to the vertical jig where the center wing / center fuse skeleton and the RHS wing will be mated. Airbus has a different way of completing the assembly than Bombardier.
To answer a question, the wings will be assembled in sections in Broughton, North Wales (BAE Systems) and shipped by barge to Toulouse. Airbus has built a special railroad system to accomodate the shear size of the components of the A380.
JF
PS. I'ts huge. Compare the size of the wing to the folks on the LHS of the pic. If I can find the pic where a A320 center wing / center fuse is located next to the first A380 center wing / center fuse ... The difference is amazing... A marvellous design.