Compound shimming

An apparatus comprising:

• a supply structure carrying a first shim tab, a second shim tab, and a third shim tab;
• and
• an applicator to:
• receive the first shim tab from the supply structure;
• apply the first shim tab to a first location on a part;
• receive the second shim tab from the supply structure;
• apply the second shim tab to a second location directly adjacent to the first location on the part to form a compound shim;
• receive the third shim tab from the supply structure;
• and
• apply the third shim tab to the second shim tab at the second location.

A system comprising:

• an assembly jig to secure a first part;
• an inspection module to generate inspection data describing a surface characteristic of at least the first part at a joining region where the first part is to be joined with a second part;
• a control module to generate a compound shim plan corresponding to the joining region of the first part based on the inspection data;
• a multi-axis arm to move relative to the assembly jig in response to input from the control module;
• and
• an apparatus coupled to the multi-axis arm and comprising:
• a supply structure carrying a first shim tab, a second shim tab, and a third shim tab;
• and
• an applicator to:
• receive the first shim tab from the supply structure;
• align the applicator with the joining region on the first part;
• apply the first shim tab to a first location on the first part, the first location being within the joining region of the first part and corresponding with at a first location of the compound shim plan;
• receive the second shim tab from the supply structure;
• apply the second shim tab to a second location on the first part directly adjacent to the first location on the first part to form a compound shim, the second location being within the joining region of the first part and corresponding with a second location of the compound shim plan, the second shim tab forming a pattern with the first shim tab;
• receive the third shim tab from the supply structure;
• and
• apply the third shim tab to the second shim tab at the second location on the first part to increase a thickness at the second location on the first part.