Force sensor makes commercial aircraft fuselage assembly safer

HBM has developed a three component force sensor specifically to support the automated assembly of modern commercial aircrafts constructed from composite materials such as GRP and glass fibre reinforced aluminum.

According to HBM, the sensors can be used to check forces on the fuselage sections during assembly. Signals from the force sensors are acquired by the accompanying digiCLIP modular measuring amplifier system and then transmitted to the plant control system. The digiCLIP modular measuring amplifier system is optimised to provide a complete measurement technology solution during both installation and on going operation. According to the company, the amplifiers are integrated into the automation architecture via the Profibus DP interface and feature noise free and stable measurement technology to ensure reliable measurement results in industrial environments. The modules have an internal digital signal processor which calculates process relevant quantities during the assembly process such as instantaneous values, peak values of the press forces and limit value violations. HBM claims a large number of measurement channels can be easily set up by mounting on DIN rails and daisy chain wiring to meet the size and complexity of any assembly line.