Processing station for structural components of airplanes with a centring assembly for a component holder

0001The invention relates to a centering arrangement for a component carrier with the features of claim 1 and to a method for centering and locking a centering receptacle by a centering pin with the features of claim 15.

0002Aircraft and other missiles regularly have very large structural components such as wings, hulls or parts thereof. In the automated production of missiles, these structural components are manipulated in correspondingly large-sized processing stations and processed by various machine tools. An exemplary operation provides for the automated setting of a number of riveted joints, which often had to be done manually in the past.

0003From the state of the art and especially from the next seen as coming <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US8220134B"><text>US 8,220,134</text></patcit> a machining station for aircraft structural components is known in which a rectangular Aufspannrahmen is held as a component carrier by two positioning towers at its transverse sides and moved during processing. By an independent height displacement of the attachment points on the positioning towers and a rotation of the Aufspannrahmens around the axis defined by the attachment points of the Aufspannrahmen and the workpiece or aircraft structural component mounted on it can be specifically moved so that a machining by a tool, such as a riveting machine on different points of the aircraft structural component is possible. This tool is in turn attached to a movable in the longitudinal direction of the Aufspannrahmens C-frame. This ensures that

0004Due to the size of the aircraft structural components already described, the replacement of the aircraft structural components after processing is very complicated. Not only does the aircraft structure component completed in its machining at that workstation need to be removed from the chuck frame, but also the next aircraft structure component still to be machined-either directly or by means of a special inter-table harness providing the appropriate attachment locations-is placed on the chuck frame be attached. This is time consuming not only because of the size of the aircraft structure components. Rather, the very tight tolerances required in the aerospace industry also require extremely accurate placement of the aircraft structural component on the chuck frame. so that during the automated movement of the Aufspannrahmens and the tool to each other, the required operating points on the aircraft structural component by the tool can be controlled correctly. Accordingly long known from the prior art manual alignment of the aircraft structural component takes on the Aufspannrahmen. The resulting long downtime of the regularly very expensive processing station accordingly reduces their utilization rate significantly and thus leads to significantly higher investment costs for each produced missile. Furthermore, the particular means of ensuring alignment of the aircraft structure component on the chuck frame must also ensure

0005Furthermore, from the <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US4598453A"><text>US 4,598,453</text></patcit> a device for aligning printed circuit boards by means of cams described.

0006Thus, the problem of the invention is to further develop the processing station known from the prior art for aircraft structural components with their components so that the downtime of the processing station can be shortened when replacing the aircraft structural component to be processed on the mounting frame.

0007The above problem is solved with respect to a processing station for aircraft structural components with a centering arrangement for a component carrier by the features of claim 1 and with respect to a method for centering and locking a centering by a centering pin by the features of claim 15.

0008It is essential to realize that one or more centering pins can be provided on the component carrier, which are brought by a rotation by means of a rotary drive in a centering engagement with a corresponding respective centering on the relevant workpiece, such as the aircraft structural component or on any intermediate harness can. The workpiece can thus - be lifted onto the component carrier, for example by a crane or another device, wherein the positioning only has to be precise to the extent that the centering pins - initially still floating - are guided into the centering. Only then in a further step, the centering takes place, in which over a centering engagement necessary for the machining precision in the positioning is made. In this way, a rapid loading of the component carrier can be done with the aid of a device such as a crane, which can muster the necessary force to move the aircraft structural component without having to be able to perform very precise movements. The centering then takes place automatically in a second step. As a result, a vertical loading of the component carrier, eg with an aircraft structural component, is also possible.

0009The said centering recordings need not be part of the workpiece in the true sense, but can be attached as separate components at corresponding points of the workpiece or be part of a corresponding intermediate harness. However, this middle or immediate attachment of Zentrieraufnahmen on the workpiece can be done in advance, in parallel and independently to the processing station, so that any costs incurred here does not limit the utilization of the processing station.

0010Said rotary drive for rotating the centering pin does not necessarily include a motor. Rather, it can be any, potentially also manually operated arrangement, by which a rotation of the centering pin can be effected as described, which rotation takes place about a longitudinal axis of the centering pin.

0011The proposed centering engagement in turn prevents along at least one direction, which is regularly perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of the centering pin, a translational movement between the centering pin and the centering. Indirectly so that a translational movement between the component carrier and the workpiece is prevented in just this direction.

0012By the rotation thus a relative position, in which a movement in all directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between the centering pin and the Zentrieraufnahme is possible, converted into a position in which in at least one such, the longitudinal axis perpendicular direction no movement between the centering pin and the centering more is possible, under consideration of manufacturing tolerances and thus negligible here movements.

0013The particularly preferred embodiments according to claims 2 to 4 describe an embodiment of the centering pin and the centering and a corresponding engagement between the two, which is particularly suitable for achieving a centering effect. In particular, hooking of the centering pin in the centering in the rotation is effectively avoided.

0014The preferred embodiments of claims 5 and 6 describe a variant in which the positive connection in a radial direction of the centering pin and in particular only in this radial direction is produced. The workpiece may have different tolerances in different directions and, above all, a much larger dimensioning in a specific longitudinal direction of the workpiece, a pronounced elongation behavior in this longitudinal direction. For this reason, it may be useful to cause centering only in a direction other than this longitudinal direction through the centering. Furthermore, several proposed centering arrangements are regularly provided on a single component carrier.

0015On the other hand, the preferred embodiment of claim 7 provides centering in more than one direction already by a single proposed centering arrangement, whereby an even more accurate positioning in a plane is achieved.

0016In the preferred embodiment of claim 8, the centering function of the centering arrangement is supplemented by a clamping function. This configuration surprisingly allows the combination of these two difficult to reconcile requirements. In order to prevent movement of the workpiece about a vertical direction of the centering pin after centering, a locking device is additionally provided on this. This locking is particularly useful if, as in the present case, the component carrier can also rotate so that the workpiece is even below the component carrier and consequently the lock must be able to absorb the weight force acting on the workpiece.

0017Based on this, the preferred embodiments of claims 9 and 10 describe particularly suitable embodiments of such a clamping device, which makes use in particular of the same structures of the centering receiver as have already been provided for the centering function.

0018According to the embodiment of claim 11, a guide is additionally provided with which a certain advance direction of the centering for centering is facilitated.

0019The embodiments of claims 12 and 13 provide that the clamping of the centering against the clamping surface by means of a biasing spring, which exerts a bias in clamping device on the centering pin. By means of a linear drive can then be moved against the bias of the biasing spring away from the clamping surface and then pressed after rotation for centering again by the biasing spring against the clamping surface of the centering pin.

0020Finally, the preferred embodiment of claim 14 relates to a variant in which the rotary drive for the rotation, which causes the centering, is provided in a radial direction offset from the longitudinal axis of the centering pin. By such an arrangement, a better utilization of the space within a rectangular frame housing of the Aufspannrahmens is possible if the centering is provided on such Aufspannrahmen, since regularly the centering pins are arranged perpendicular to the lateral directions of such a frame housing.

0021In the only embodiments reproducing drawing shows<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>an oblique view of a Aufspannrahmens for aircraft structural components with four proposed Zentrieranordnungen, one of which is shown enlarged;</dd><dt>Fig. 2a, b</dt><dd>an oblique view of the centering and the centering of the proposed centering of <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>;</dd><dt>Fig. 3a-e</dt><dd>an oblique view of the proposed centering of the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> in the various stages of a centering process;</dd><dt>Fig. 4a-d</dt><dd>a plan view and a cross section of the proposed centering of the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> at two times of the centering of the <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3a-e</figref>;</dd><dt>Fig. 5a, b</dt><dd>a cross section of the proposed centering of the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> and a cross section of an alternative proposed centering and</dd><dt>Fig. 6a, b</dt><dd>in each case an oblique view of two variants of Einweisern a proposed centering.</dd></dl>

0022The proposed processing station for aircraft structural components is not shown here. In the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> Rather, a component carrier 1, in particular a Aufspannrahmen 1a for aircraft structural components, shown with four centering arrangements of a proposed processing station. The<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> In addition, an enlarged oblique view of one of these centering arrangements in the component carrier 1 again.

0023The clamping frame 1a shown is used in a - not shown here - processing station for aircraft structural components. The aircraft structure components which can be received by this mounting frame 1a include in particular the fuselage and wings of an aircraft as well as their components.

0024The proposed centering arrangement comprises a centering pin 2 and a centering 3 for the centering pin 2, which in each case in the <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2b and 2a</figref> are reproduced enlarged.

0025The centering receptacle 3 is thus adapted to receive the centering pin 2 in its opening. The centering 3 is in this case arranged workpiece side and thus associated with the workpiece and in particular the aircraft structural component. It may be at this centering 3 to a corresponding receptacle and opening on the workpiece itself or as in the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shown to act a separate component with such an opening, which is releasably secured to the workpiece in a suitable manner prior to machining the workpiece. In addition, the centering 3 can also be part of a - not shown here - between dishes with several such Zentrieraufnahmen 3, which intermediate harness can then be connected as a whole in advance in a suitable manner with the workpiece.

0026Since such an upstream, indirect or immediate attachment of the centering 3 on the workpiece - on the details of which it does not matter - both temporally and spatially independent of the processing station, the time required for this plays no critical role, since the utilization of the processing station is not affected.

0027Furthermore, the proposed centering arrangement comprises a rotary drive 4 for rotating the centering pin 2 about a - to be understood - longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2, so that the centering pin 2 can be brought by the rotation in a centering engagement with the centering 3. Here, the longitudinal axis 5 corresponds here to the main expansion direction of the centering pin 2, as in particular from the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> evident.

0028The term "engagement" is to be understood here first of all in general as a mechanical contact between the centering pin 2 and the centering receptacle 3. This engagement is centering insofar as it leads to a mechanical displacement of the centering 3, for example by pressing, in a predefined and thus centered position in at least one dimension relative to the centering pin 2, if the centering 3 does not already centered in this sense is. Preferably, this centered position refers to the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2, so that in the centered state, the course of the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2 corresponding axis of the centering 3 corresponds in any case in said, at least one dimension the course of the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2 , In a centering in two dimensions, ie in the area, consequently, the corresponding axis of the centering 3 would coincide in the centered position with the longitudinal axis 5. An established centering intervention in this sense is approximately in the<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4d</figref> played.

0029Said centering engagement occurs when the centering pin 2 has previously been received by the centering 3. Before the said rotation, the centering pin 2 in the centering 3 in any case sufficient clearance to complete the rotation to the production of the centering engagement. In connection with the already mentioned<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4d</figref> show the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4c</figref> the corresponding state before the centering intervention.

0030The centering engagement is preferably carried out so that the rotation of the centering pin 2 is not blocked by the centering 3, but the centering pin 2 could continue to rotate, in which case the centering can be solved again. As in particular from the<figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5b</figref> As can be seen, the rotation of the centering pin 2 causes an increase in the effective extent of the centering pin 2 in the direction to be centered. When the rotation is completed, as in the<figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5b</figref> shown, this expansion of the centering pin 2 has reached the extent of the corresponding opening of the centering 3 in its nominal size, whereby a centering of the centering 3 is enforced. A further rotation of the centering pin 2 then leads to a reduction of this effective extent in the centering direction.

0031Accordingly, it is preferred that the centering pin 2 has a closing contour 6 and the centering receptacle 3 has a mating contour 7a, b for producing the centering engagement. A closing contour 6 and two alternative counter contours 7a, b are exemplary in the<figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5a-b</figref> shown.

0032Here, the closing contour 6 represents the cross-sectional contour of the centering pin 2. The counter contour 7 a, b is accordingly the cross-sectional contour of the centering receptacle 3.

0033This particularly preferred embodiment preferably further provides that the closing contour 6 defines a maximum outer closing radius 8a and the mating contour 7 defines a minimum inner contact radius 8b about the longitudinal axis 5, wherein the closing radius 8a does not exceed the contact radius 8b. As preferred and also in the<figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5a, b</figref> reproduced, corresponds to the nominal size of the closing radius 8a the nominal size of the contact radius 8b, so that deviations are justified only by manufacturing tolerances and move within this. It should be noted that for both shown counter contours 7a, b the contact radius 8b is identical.

0034The closing radius 8a of the closing contour 6 in this sense denotes that radius with respect to the longitudinal axis 5, within which the closing contour 6 is completely encompassed. In other words, the closing contour 6 has no component which is radially further away from the longitudinal axis 5 than the closing radius 8a. Analogously, the contact radius 8b of the mating contour 7a, b denotes that radius with respect to the same longitudinal axis 5, outside of which the mating contour 7a, b forms in its entirety. In other words, the mating contour 7a, b has no constituent which is radially closer to the longitudinal axis 5 than the contact radius 8b.

0035Because the closing radius 8a does not exceed the contact radius 8b, it is ensured that in any case no positive connection between the closing contour 6 and the mating contour 7a, b of the rotation of the centering pin 2 in the centering 3 for producing the centering engagement or a further rotation of the centering pin 2 can oppose. An actual collision between centering pin 2 and centering 3 during rotation or even snagging is thereby excluded. Rather, this is promoted by the fact that with the rotation of the centering pin 2, the centering 3 can move relative to the centering pin 2 so that the desired centering is achieved.

0036Further, it is particularly preferred that the closing contour 6 forms a polygon 6a and preferably a square. Such a polygon 6a is adapted to be brought by rotation about an angle of rotation, which is defined by the number of edges of the polygon 6a, from a position in which there is no centering engagement in the sense of the proposal in a position with such centering engagement become. This is facilitated in particular by the fact that the polygon 6a, as in the<figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5a, b</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2b</figref> can be seen has rounded corners 6b.

0037Based on this, it is correspondingly preferred for the mating contour 7a, b to have inwardly projecting contact projections 9, the number of edges of the polygon 6a corresponding at least, and preferably exactly, to the number of contact projections 9. "Projecting inwards" in this context means that the contact projections 9 point radially in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 and that between these contact projections 9 with respect to this radial direction recessed portions of the mating contour 7a, b are present, which will be discussed in more detail below. It is therefore expedient in such an embodiment, that the centering engagement between the centering pin 2 and the centering 3 by the - radially outwardly facing - edges of the polygon 6a on the one hand and the inwardly projecting contact projections 9 of the mating contour 7a, b on the other hand is formed. This fact is particularly in the<figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5a, b</figref> to recognize.

0038Preferably, it is further provided that the centering engagement between the centering pin 2 and the centering 3 is made in a centering direction 10a, which extends radially to the longitudinal axis 5 and the longitudinal axis 5 intersects. During the rotation of the centering pin 2, the centering 3 is thus inevitably shifted so that the centering occurs in this centering 10a and after making the centering engagement another relative movement - apart from negligible displacements due to manufacturing tolerances - in this centering 10a by just centering this Intervention is prevented. The statement that the centering direction 10a extends radially to the longitudinal axis 5 and intersects the longitudinal axis 5 could also be formulated in such a way that

0039A first possibility of the preferred embodiment now provides that in the form-fit a clearance 11 - which goes beyond the production-justified distance - between the centering pin 2 and the centering 3 in a game direction 12 is present, the play direction 12 extends radially to the longitudinal axis 5 and the longitudinal axis 5 intersects. In accordance with the above statements on the centering direction 10 a, this is equivalent to the observation that the play direction 12 is a radial direction of the longitudinal axis 5. In accordance with this first preferred option, therefore, a relative movement between the centering pin 2 and the centering receptacle 3 in the centering direction 10a is prevented, but basically allowed in the game direction 12. It can be advantageous for a variety of reasons

0040A variant according to this first possibility, in which - as also preferred - the game direction 12 to the centering direction 10 a is rectangular, is in the <figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5b</figref> shown.

0041A second possibility of the preferred embodiment again, which is exemplified in the <figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5a</figref> is shown, provides that the positive connection between the centering pin 2 and the centering 3 is made in a further centering direction 10b, which further centering direction 10b extends radially to the longitudinal axis 5 and perpendicular to the centering direction 10a and the longitudinal axis 5 intersects. It is therefore also in the further centering direction 10b to a radial direction of the longitudinal axis 5.Auch in this further centering direction 10b is provided that when the centering engagement between the centering pin 2 and the centering 3 is made, the nominal size of the centering pin 2 of the centering 3 corresponds.

0042By such centering engagement between the centering pin 2 and the centering 3 in two mutually perpendicular centering directions 10a, b any significant translational relative movement between the centering pin 2 and the centering 3 in the area defined by the two centering directions 10a, b is prevented. This preferred embodiment possibility is therefore approximately appropriate if a comprehensive centering on the area defined by the clamping frame 1a is desired by a single proposed centering arrangement.

0043In order to avoid also a relative movement between the centering pin 2 and the centering receptacle 3 from the area defined by the two centering directions 10a, b, but especially in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5, it is further preferred that the centering arrangement be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 5 Clamping surface 13 and the centering has a locking device 14 for locking the centering 3 with respect to a, preferably vertical, movement relative to the clamping surface 13. This clamping surface 13 is to be understood as a, potentially only edge or web-shaped surface in the sense of a surface against which the locking device 14, for example by a frictional connection, prevents movement of the centering 3. Indirectly, such a movement of the workpiece is prevented. In particular, a locking of the centering receptacle 3 with respect to a, preferably vertical movement relative to the clamping surface 13 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 may be provided. In this way, in addition to a centering of the workpiece on the component carrier 1, a locking of the workpiece on the component carrier 1 is achieved.

0044A corresponding preferred development for this purpose provides that the locking device 14 comprises an engagement contour 15 on the centering pin 2 for engaging behind the centering receptacle 3. Such an engagement contour 15 is clearly in the<figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2b</figref> as well as the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4a-b</figref> recognizable. The centering 3 is thus not only used for the centering engagement with the closing contour 6 but also to be engaged behind by the engagement contour 15. This in turn makes it possible, for example, to press the centering receptacle 3 against the clamping surface 13 by means of a force exerted on the centering receptacle 3 by means of the engagement contour 15, thus bringing about the desired locking.

0045Further advantages arise when - as in the <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2b</figref> represented - such an engagement contour 15 offset in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5, in particular offset only in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 and thus centered with respect to the same longitudinal axis 5 as the closing contour 6, is arranged to the closing contour 6. In particular, the engagement contour 15 can be arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 immediately adjacent to the closing contour 6. Thus, by a relative movement of the centering pin 2 to the centering 3 both the closing contour 6 and the engagement contour 15 are introduced simultaneously into the centering 3.

0046In an elegant way, the already provided for the centering engagement counter contour 7a, b with their approximately in the <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2b</figref> shown contact projections 9 of the centering 3 are also used for the latch described here in a dual function, if, as preferred, the engagement contour 15 for engaging behind the mating contour 7a, b and in particular for engaging behind the contact projections 9 is established. Then the same formations of the mating contour 7a, b - here the contact projections 9 - both for the centering engagement - in cooperation with the closing contour 6 - and for the lock - in cooperation with the engagement contour 15 - to use. The centering effect is also the positioning of the engagement contour 15 against the contact projections 9 benefit.

0047The dual function may additionally consist in the use of the same rotational movement for the centering engagement and the engagement behind. Then it is preferably provided that the engagement contour 15 is adapted to engage behind the contact projections 9 when the centering pin 2 is brought by the rotation in the centering engagement with the Zentrieraufnahme 3. The juxtaposition of<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4a, b</figref> on the one hand and the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4c, d</figref> on the other hand illustrates how the same rotation causes both the centering engagement and the engaging behind.

0048A preferred - and also in the <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2b</figref> shown - engagement contour 15 has gripping projections 16 which extend from the longitudinal axis 5 in the radial direction and are adapted to engage behind the contact projections 9 when the centering pin 2 is brought by the rotation in the centering engagement with the centering 3. This embodiment fits well with a corresponding, in the<figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2a</figref> illustrated and also preferred embodiment of the mating contour 7a, b, which recesses 17 between the contact projections 9 provides.

0049A particularly suitable coordination of these components to each other is given if the recesses 17 correspond to the gripping projections 16 insofar that the engagement contour 15 can be brought by the rotation of the centering pin 2 about the longitudinal axis 5 in a position to the mating contour 7, wherein the gripping projections 16 are aligned with the recesses 17 and the engagement contour 15 can be moved through the mating contour 7a, b. This situation is in the<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4a</figref> played. In other words, the centering pin 2 can be rotated so that a movement of the centering pin 2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 is possible, in which the engagement contour 15 can be moved specifically with their gripping projections 16 on the mating contour 7a, b over.

0050After such a movement brings a further rotation - especially the proposed rotation for the centering engagement - then the centering in a position in which the positive connection between the closing contour 6 and the contact projections 9 of the mating contour 7a, b is formed and the gripping projections 16, the contact projections. 9 engage behind.

0051As already described at the beginning, the lock likewise produced by the centering arrangement must ensure that the workpiece received by the component carrier 1, that is to say, for example, an aircraft structural component, does not fall off the component carrier 1. This should also apply in the event of an unexpected power loss at the processing station, such as a power failure or the operation of an emergency stop button. Against this background, it is preferably provided that the centering arrangement comprises a biasing spring 18, which is adapted to a force and in particular a bias, on the centering pin 2 in a direction 18 a pointing to the clamping surface 13, which in the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is excellent to exercise.

0052In the embodiments shown here, the biasing spring 18 is arranged so that it pushes away an intermediate carrier 18b connected to the centering pin 2 from a rear side of the clamping surface 13, as a result of which the centering pin 2 is biased in said direction 18a. Thus, a force must be expended to move the centering pin 2 from the locking situation, so that in the event of failure of all engines alone by the biasing spring 18 a lock is ensured if the centering pin 2 is in a corresponding engagement with the centering 3.

0053Against this background, it is preferably provided for the above-described displacement of the centering pin 2 that the centering arrangement has a linear drive 19 for moving the centering pin 2 along the longitudinal axis 5. In particular, the linear drive 19 can be arranged on an engagement contour 15 - and therefore preferably also on the closing contour 6 - opposite end of the centering pin 2. In connection with the activity of the biasing spring 18, it is preferred that the linear drive 19 is adapted to move the centering pin 2 in a direction 19b facing away from the clamping surface 13. It is particularly useful that the linear drive 19 attaches to the same intermediate support 18b as well as the said biasing spring 18th

0054Furthermore, there is the possibility of a particularly economically exploiting the space of a Aufspannrahmens 1a further development, when the rotary drive 4 has a radially arranged to the longitudinal axis 5 deflecting arm 20 on the centering pin 2. In this way, a motor for effecting the rotation in the radial direction spaced from the centering pin 2 can be arranged. This is useful if in the direction of the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2, the space is scarce. In this development can also be provided that the deflection arm 20 may be connected at a radially outer end via a rotary joint 21 with a lifting rod 22. This is especially true in the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> to recognize. The lifting rod 22 in turn can - as shown - be connected to a corresponding linear motor 23.

0055A further preferred embodiment of the proposed centering arrangement, reproduced in the <figref idrefs="f0006">Fig. 6a, b</figref>, comprises a guide 25, 26 which is adapted to align the centering 3 on the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2. The shape of the referrer 25, 26 may be dependent on the position of the centering arrangement on the Aufspannrahmen 1a.

0056If, as in the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> illustrated, the proposed centering on the Aufspannrahmen 1a has a vertical, upward orientation, determined by the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2, then the Einweiser 25 as shown in FIG <figref idrefs="f0006">Fig. 6a</figref> be configured in the form of a ring 25 a, which has a tapered inner surface 27. An approaching from above centering 3 then slides on this tapered inner surface in the direction of the center of the Einweisers 25, whereby a pertinent advance direction of the centering 3 is effected, after which the centering pin 2 is aligned with the opening of the centering 3.

0057Alternatively, the proposed centering arrangement may also have a horizontal orientation on the Aufspannrahmen 1a, in turn determined by the longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2. Then the Einweiser 26 according to the illustration of <figref idrefs="f0006">Fig. 6b</figref> be configured in the form of a U-shaped fold. The open side 28 of the U-shaped fold then also points in a vertical upward direction, from which direction the centering receptacle 3 is regularly guided into the guide 26. Further embodiments of such referrers are also conceivable.

0058As a further preferred embodiment, a chucking frame 1a for aircraft structural components, such as in FIGS <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shown, to call with a frame housing 24 in a rectangular shape and a plurality of proposed centering arrangements.

0059Here, a preferred further development of such a mounting frame 1a provides that the respective clamping surface 13 of the centering arrangements form part of an outer surface 30 of the frame housing 24. If then, as preferred and in the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> 4, the respective clamping surfaces 13 of the centering arrangements point in the same direction, the centering arrangements can be used for centering an aircraft structural component brought onto the stretching frame 1 a from this direction.

0060A further preferred development of the Aufspannrahmens 1a further provides that the Aufspannrahmen 1a has a linear motor 23 for the operation of a Umlenkarms 20, wherein the linear motor 23 is disposed within the frame housing 24 in a side direction 29 of the rectangular shape. In such a Aufspannrahmen 1a then the centering and locking can be done fully automatically. A lateral direction 29 of the rectangular shape is to be understood as meaning any direction which corresponds to the extent of one of the four rectangular sides of the rectangular shape of the clamping frame 1a.

0061Having now described the constituents of the proposed centering arrangement and its preferred embodiments, reference will be made to FIGS <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3a-e</figref> as <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4a-d</figref> a corresponding proposal according to the method for centering and locking a centering 2 by a centering pin 2 on a clamping surface 13, in particular on the clamping surface 13 of a component carrier 1, explained.

0062In the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4a</figref> the centering arrangement is shown at rest before execution of the proposed method and before approaching the centering 3 on the clamping surface 13.

0063The proposed method according to the proposal now comprises moving the centering pin 2 through the centering receptacle 3, so that gripping projections 16 of an engagement contour 15 of the centering pin 2 are guided through recesses 17 of a mating contour 7a, b of the centering receptacle 3. This process step takes place as a transition between the state in the<figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3b</figref> and the state in the <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3c</figref>, In particular, this movement can take place against a - already described above - bias of a biasing spring 18, according to the embodiment of<figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> caused by the linear actuator 19.

0064Further, the proposed method comprises rotating the centering pin 2 about a longitudinal axis 5 of the centering pin 2, whereby a closing contour 6 of the centering pin 2 with the mating contour 7a, b of the centering 3 is brought into centering engagement and at the same time the gripping projections 16, the mating contour 7a, b engage behind. This process step takes place between the representation of<figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3c</figref> and those of <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3d</figref> instead of. Likewise, the corresponding transition - based on the engagement of the counter contour 7a, b - from a comparison of<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4a</figref> with the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4b</figref> and - based on the centering intervention - from a comparison of <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4c</figref> with the <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4d</figref> to recognize.

0065Finally, the proposed method includes pressing the centering 3 against the clamping surface 13 by a movement of the centering pin 2. This step corresponds to the transition from the situation of <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3d</figref> to that of <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3e</figref>, This movement can be effected in particular and as already described by the bias of the biasing spring 18. The linear drive 19 does not have to act in this direction, but only turn off the previously directed against the biasing spring 18 force again.

0066Further preferred embodiments of the proposed method result from the already described, preferred embodiments of the proposed centering arrangement.