An apparatus for supporting a component to aid manufacturing, assembly, maintenance or repair operations, the component having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the apparatus comprises:
- a platform;
- a first support structure mounted on the platform and configured to support the first end of the component, the first support structure comprising:
- a first pedestal comprising a first pedestal body disposed on the platform and a pair of first transverse members spaced apart from each other and extending from the first pedestal body towards a direction away from the platform, wherein each first transverse member from the pair of first transverse members comprises at least two first openings, wherein the first openings in the spaced apart first transverse members are aligned with each other;
- at least two first axles, wherein each first axle passes and extends through the corresponding two first openings aligned with each other, such that each opposing end of each first axle is supported by one first transverse member from the pair of first transverse members;
- and
- at least two first rollers spaced apart from each other and configured to support the first end of the component, wherein each first roller is mounted on the corresponding first axle, wherein each first roller is positioned between the pair of first transverse members of the first pedestal;
- and
- a second support structure mounted on the platform and configured to support the second end of the component, wherein the second support structure is spaced apart from the first support structure, the second support structure comprising:
- a second pedestal comprising a second pedestal body disposed on the platform and a pair of second transverse members spaced apart from each other and extending from the second pedestal body towards the direction away from the platform, wherein each second transverse member from the pair of second transverse members comprises at least two second openings, wherein the second openings in the spaced apart second transverse members are aligned with each other;
- at least two second axles, wherein each second axle passes and extends through the corresponding two second openings aligned with each other, such that each opposing end of each second axle is supported by one second transverse member from the pair of second transverse members;
- and
- at least two second rollers spaced apart from each other and configured to support the second end of the component, wherein each second roller is mounted on the corresponding second axle, and wherein each second roller is positioned between the pair of second transverse members of the second pedestal;
- wherein each opposing end of each first axle is rotatably supported by at least one first bearing, and wherein the at least one first bearing is disposed in the corresponding first opening from the at least two first openings of each first transverse member.