Method, device and system for assembly of a plurality of panels

A device for assembling a plurality of panels of an aircraft fuselage, said device comprising:

• at least one anvil body comprising a support surface supporting the plurality of panels;
• at least one anvil rail movably mounted in a cavity of the at least one anvil body and configured to move between a top position in which an upper surface of the at least one anvil rail extends into an extension of the support surface and a bottom position in which a workspace is created between the upper surface of the at least one anvil rail and the support surface so as to enable the passage of a tool;
• and
• wherein the at least one anvil rail comprises a structural beam extending along an entire length of the at least one anvil body, a tool holder, and a guide bar to guide the tool holder.

A system for assembling a plurality of panels of an aircraft fuselage, the plurality of panels comprising at least one first panel and at least one second panel, the system comprising:

• at least one anvil body comprising a support surface supporting the plurality of panels;
• at least one anvil rail movably mounted in a cavity of the at least one anvil body and configured to move between a top position in which an upper surface of the at least one anvil rail extends into an extension of the support surface and a bottom position in which a workspace is created between the upper surface of the at least one anvil rail and the support surface so as to enable the passage of a tool, the at least one anvil rail comprising a structural beam extending along an entire length of the at least one anvil body, a tool holder, and a guide bar to guide the tool holder;
• and
• movement means mounted on the at least one anvil body, the movement means being arranged to move the at least one first panel in relation to the at least one second panel between a first machining position in which an edge of the at least one first panel and an edge of the at least one second panel are spaced a machining distance apart so as to allow the tool to pass between the edges of the at least one first panel and the at least one second panel in order to machine them simultaneously, and a second welding position in which the edge of the at least one first panel and the edge of the at least one second panel are adjacent and resting on the at least one anvil body.