Abstract: Methods and systems for supporting and/or positioning mechanical components or tools, the methods and system employing work stands that have a moveable base, a vertical support member disposed on the moveable base, a support platform attached to an upper end of the vertical support member via a support coupling that permits independent rotational movement of the support platform, a plurality of extendable arms that are each pivotally coupled at a lower end to the vertical support member and pivotally coupled at an upper end to the support platform, and each extendable arm can be independently and controllably extended and retracted. The work stands further include a controller for controllably extending and retracting the extendable arms to position the support platform in a desired orientation, and a user input coupled to the controller and configured so that a user employing the controller can position the support platform in the desired orientation.

Abstract: Methods of performing assembly or maintenance on an aircraft, systems for performing desired assembly or maintenance on an aircraft, and mobile work stations useful for such systems and methods, where the mobile work stations include a work platform, including an accessway providing access to the work platform; and a moveable base supporting the work platform with one or more platform jacks that can adjustably raise and lower the work platform.

Abstract: Methods and systems for supporting and/or positioning mechanical components or tools, the methods and system employing work stands that have a moveable base, a vertical support member disposed on the moveable base, a support platform attached to an upper end of the vertical support member via a support coupling that permits independent rotational movement of the support platform, a plurality of extendable arms that are each pivotally coupled at a lower end to the vertical support member and pivotally coupled at an upper end to the support platform, and each extendable arm can be independently and controllably extended and retracted. The work stands further include a controller for controllably extending and retracting the extendable arms to position the support platform in a desired orientation, and a user input coupled to the controller and configured so that a user employing the controller can position the support platform in the desired orientation.

Abstract: Methods of performing assembly or maintenance on an aircraft, systems for performing desired assembly or maintenance on an aircraft, and mobile work stations useful for such systems and methods, where the mobile work stations include a work platform, including an accessway providing access to the work platform; and a moveable base supporting the work platform with one or more platform jacks that can adjustably raise and lower the work platform.

Abstract: A device to detect a presence of a tool by responding to a remote RFID reader. The device includes a body that forms an interior space therein with the body having a window into the interior space. An RFID tag is positioned within the interior space. A biasing member is positioned within the interior space to apply a first force in a first direction to the RFID tag. A magnet is positioned within the interior space and is configured to apply a second force in a second direction to the RFID tag when the body is in the presence of the tool. The RFID tag is movable between first and second positions within the interior space. One of the first and second positions including the RFID tag aligned with the window. The other of the first and second positions including the RFID tag positioned away from the window.