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Bombardier (Canadair)
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A rivetting tool for the assembly of fuselage parts and
aircraft wings was created at BOMBARDIER Inc., a division of CANADAIR
in Dorval (Québec). The control section has been developped
by Microtrol Inc. and the mechanical section was jointly conceived
by Canadair and the CRIQ.
Large parts, with pronounced curves (wing panels, fuselage parts,
etc...), which are to be rivetted, are installed on the rivetting
tool's frame which then orients them under the anvil. The various
tools which perform drilling, countersinks, rivet selection, rivetting,
and sealer application are installed on a 16 ton platform which
travels up to 20 meters on an X and Y axis. Since the rivetting
tool is fully automated, the operator only has to select a program
and verify it's proper execution.
Microtrol's challenge was to create a motion control systems
that can achieve the complex positionning of the parts. An innovative
approach was taken to replace the traditionnal numerical controller
(CNC).
A multitude of position sensors including three lazers, three
magnetostrictive (temposonic) sensors, seven optic coders and
one vision system were installed to supply information to the
multi-axis motion controller. With this information, the controller
activates the servomotors and the hydraulic servoactuators, precisely
positionning each part for the next rivetting operation. The computer
controlled system then effects the drilling, countersink, rivet
selection, rivetting and sealer application operations.
We opted for an industrial personnal computer with operator interface
software, a programmable PLC- 5 by Allen-Bradley and a multi axis
motion controller for this system.
The industrial personal computer allows the operator interface
to be specially designed for the application, greatly simplifying
the creation and execution of the programs.
Microtrol was successfull in meeting all of Canadair's specific
requirements
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