Method of installing a fixture and associated apparatus

1. A method of installing a mounting fixture in or on a structure of an aircraft or spacecraft, the method comprising:

arranging an apparatus in, on or adjacent the structure;

pre-treating a surface region of the structure by ablation using the apparatus; and

forming the mounting fixture in situ on the structure at the pre-treated surface region using the apparatus based on a digital model of the mounting fixture,

wherein the mounting fixture is installed by connecting the mounting fixture to the structure at the pre-treated surface region as the mounting fixture is formed.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein pre-treating the surface region of the structure by ablation comprises laser ablating the surface region via a laser ablation device.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein laser ablating the surface region comprises one or more of:

generating a laser beam;

positioning a head of the laser ablation device at a predetermined spacing from the structure;

focusing the laser beam onto the surface region of the structure; and

moving the laser beam over the surface region at a predetermined spacing from the structure.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein pre-treating the surface region of the structure by ablation comprises plasma ablating the surface region via a plasma ablation device.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein plasma ablating the surface region comprises one or more of:

generating a plasma stream;

positioning a head of a plasma ablation device at a predetermined spacing from the structure;

focusing the plasma stream onto the surface region of the structure; and

moving the plasma stream over the surface region at a predetermined spacing from the structure.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digital model of the mounting fixture includes data on an intended position of the mounting fixture within structure, wherein pre-treating the surface region of the structure includes positioning a head of the ablation device adjacent the structure based on the digital model of the mounting fixture, whereby the structure can include one or more reference markers for spatial correlation to reference points in the digital model of the mounting fixture.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein forming the mounting fixture in situ comprises building the mounting fixture sequentially, preferably by generating and building up layers of the mounting fixture in the surface region with an additive manufacturing device, wherein the layers of the mounting fixture are sequentially deposited on the structure.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein connecting the mounting fixture to the structure includes at least one of:

bonding or fusing one or more of the layers of the mounting fixture to the structure as they are generated; and

forming the mounting fixture in situ in a mechanical fit or a mechanical engagement with part of the structure.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein bonding the mounting fixture to the structure includes depositing one or more layer or region of adhesive on the pre-treated surface region.

10. An apparatus for installing a mounting fixture in or on a structure of an aircraft or spacecraft, the apparatus comprising:

a robot assembly movable with respect to the structure;

an ablation device mounted on the robot assembly, the ablation device being configured for generating and directing an ablating beam onto a surface region of the structure to pre-treat the surface region;

an additive manufacturing device mounted on the robot assembly, the additive manufacturing device being configured for forming the mounting fixture in situ on the pre-treated surface region; and

a controller for controlling or operating the ablation device and/or the additive manufacturing device at the surface region of the structure.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the ablation device comprises a laser ablation device for laser ablating the surface region, wherein the laser ablation device includes a head having one or more of: laser focussing device to adjust a focal length of the laser beam, and at least one sensor for detecting a spacing or displacement of the head with respect to the surface region.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the ablation device comprises a plasma ablation device for plasma ablating the surface region, wherein the plasma ablation device includes a head having one or more of: laser focusing device to direct or focus a plasma stream, and at least one sensor for detecting a spacing or displacement of the head with respect to the surface region.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the additive manufacturing device comprises a head for building the mounting fixture sequentially, especially by generating and building up layers of the mounting fixture on the structure, wherein the layers of the mounting fixture are sequentially deposited on the structure by the head.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein each of the additive manufacturing device and the ablation device are mounted on one of a plurality of robotic arms of the robot assembly for adjusting a position thereof with respect to the structure.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the controller operates or controls based on a digital model of the mounting fixture or structure.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein depositing one or more layer or region of adhesive on the pre-treated surface region is performed before generating and building up layers of the mounting fixture on the structure.