Abstract: A joining system includes a holding fixture assembly configured to hold a fuselage skin. The stringers are temporarily attached to the fuselage skin. The joining system includes an upper beam assembly including an upper beam and a lower beam assembly. The lower beam assembly includes a lower beam and at least one lower heating element. The holding fixture assembly is coupled to the upper beam assembly. The holding fixture assembly is coupled to the lower beam assembly. The upper beam is movable relative to the lower beam to clamp the at least one of the plurality of stringers and the fuselage skin together prior to and during welding.

Abstract: A platform system useful for constructing, maintaining, or repairing greenhouse roofs comprises a platform section providing a working area surface formed with removable treads supported on left and right platform rails. The platform section is supported by downwardly projecting upper and lower support bases appointed to rest on structural members of the roof, thereby providing a clearance between the working area surface and the roof beneath. Guardrails extend along the sides of the platform section between guardrail posts attached at the upper and lower ends of the platform rails. The system is light-weight, minimizing the loading imposed on the roof and permitting it to be readily positioned by a small work crew. The support base may include retractable rollers that permit it to be slid upward across the eaves and onto the roof. A deployment assist cart may be used to erect, support, and access the platform system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for advancing the leading edge of a corrugated web for positioning the web for a secondary operation, such as a cutting operation to cut a discrete sheet from the web. The web has a plurality of alternating peaks and valleys. The apparatus comprises an endless loop conveyor including a plurality of spaced support bars for contacting the valleys of the web. At least one vacuum source holds the web against the support bars. A motor and a distributed control system repeatedly advance the conveyor and the leading edge of the web from the entrance end to the exit end of the conveyor. A rotary encoder and a sensor sense the presence of a support bar near the position for applying the cutting operation. The vacuum source is de-activated, and at least one pressure source is activated to remove the cut sheet from the support bars.