Variation Analysis of Automated Wing Box Assembly

The paper presents a new generic methodology for the use of stream of variation (SoV) analysis within a Smart Factory environment such as the Evolvable Assembly Systems (EAS) framework. The research is demonstrated using a simplified case study of one of EAS demonstrators for an aircraft wing box assembly. The wing box assembly and its KCs are described using formal representation. The SoV model is applied to model and simulate the assembly process. The simulation results are then analysed to predict, control and minimise the error propagation coming from uncertainties in process and equipment.