The major A350 XWB sections like fuselage, wings, engines and tail are built by Airbus’ European production locations in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. At the A350 XWB Final Assembly Line in Toulouse (France) the jetliner then comes together like a well-planned, high-tech puzzle. Fuselage section joining and wing/fuselage mating is done in gigantic assembly jigs. The assembly of these large, flexible components is a complex task. Positioning systems are used to accurately locate in space the aircraft sections to allow the best fit among them. With the aid of force sensors mounted on the end-effector of each positioner, the forces acting on the aircraft component can be monitored during the motion. This assures strain-free handling of the components, and thus, prevents them from damage. Gravitation causes geometric deformation in fuselage sections and wings. Before assembly the sections need to be untwisted to ensure unstressed joining.
The whole process is monitored by 300 force sensors connected to a Gantner Q.bloxx measurement system. A total of 150 x Q.bloxx A101 modules are used for primary monitoring tasks. Another 300 x Q.bloxx A102 modules are used for redundant monitoring and are integrated into the plant security system via Modbus TCP/IP.
The Q.bloxx system architecture, combined with its modular design, offers Airbus maximum flexibility. Each Q.bloxx module may be randomly installed close to the actual point of measurement and connected via high-speed serial interfaces. This not only reduces cabling complexity, but also allows a highly-synchronized measurement that is less prone to noise due to shorter sensor cable runs. The Q.bloxx “hot swap” feature allows for efficient service and maintenance of the monitoring system without the need to shut down power or re-configuring the monitoring system, minimizing downtime and increasing overall efficiency of the Final Assembly Line.
More articles
Q.series interface with the Moog Aerospace Test Controller
The amount of data generated in an aircraft structural test program continues to grow. The density of load introduction points (actuators) and sensors (strain gauges, thermocouples, LVDTs) on a test article is increasing progressively and model validation requires higher data sample rates to capture more detail. The risks and costs involved in aircraft validation and certification are significant, and the requirement for quick entry-into-service is high. To minimize the impact of retrofitting in-service aircrafts, the ability to generate test results quickly is crucial to the success of a test program.
Read more...UCY Student’s industrial internship experience at Gantner Instruments
An internship at Gantner Instruments is a great way to connect classroom knowledge to real-world experience. Learning is one thing but taking those skills into the workforce and applying them is a great way to explore different career paths and specializations that suit individual interests. This internship can provide someone with experience in the career field they want to pursue, give individuals an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs, prepare them for what to expect in their field, and increase their confidence in their work.
Read more...IWSHM 2025 for Advancing Structural Health Monitoring
The 15th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring (IWSHM 2025) will take place from September 9 to 11, 2025, at Stanford University, CA. This event is one of the premier global forums for advancing SHM research, applications, and technologies.
Read more...Gantner Instruments Presents Cryogenic Measurement Solutions for Hydrogen Technology
Hydrogen systems are a steadily growing field encompassing several technologies, such as liquefied hydrogen storage tanks, fuel cells, and cryogenic engines. These require meticulous temperature monitoring to ensure system integrity and performance. Operating in these low-temperature environments presents unique challenges, such as thermal contraction of materials, sensor self-heating, and the non-linearity of cryogenic sensors. Without accurate measurement, performance degradation and potential system failures become risks.
Read more...