Device and method for holding a metal sheet on a rim of a mold tool and system

Abstract

A device for holding a metal sheet on a rim of a mold tool, the rim surrounding a female mold in the mold tool. The device comprises: a flexible conduit comprising a fluid; a pressure applicator configured to provide a pressure to the fluid in the flexible conduit; a contact surface configured to contact the metal sheet opposite to the rim. The flexible conduit is configured to transmit the pressure in the fluid to the contact surface such that the contact surface provides a holding force to the metal sheet on the rim of the mold tool, wherein the holding force is equal on each position of the contact surface.

1 . A device for holding a metal sheet on a rim of a mold tool, the rim surrounding a female mold in the mold tool, the device comprising:
 a flexible conduit comprising a fluid;   a pressure applicator configured to provide a pressure to the fluid in the flexible conduit;   a contact surface configured to contact the metal sheet opposite to the rim;   wherein the flexible conduit is configured to transmit the pressure in the fluid to the contact surface such that the contact surface provides a holding force to the metal sheet on the rim of the mold tool, wherein the holding force is equal on each position of the contact surface.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a channel comprising a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall and the second wall are configured to be arranged on the metal sheet opposite to the rim, wherein the flexible conduit is arranged in the channel between the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the channel is arranged in a U-shaped profile. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the U-shaped profile comprises the contact surface. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible conduit comprises the contact surface. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure applicator comprises an adjustable clamp being configured to provide pressure to the fluid in the flexible conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure applicator comprises an applicator body being arranged in contact with the flexible conduit and being configured to press the flexible conduit. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a mold tool having a female mold, and a rim surrounding the female mold;   at least one fixation element; and   a device according to  claim 1 ;   wherein the at least one fixation element connects the device to the mold tool.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the fixation element comprises at least one non-adjustable clamp. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the mold tool is a creep-forming mold tool comprising at least one opening in the female mold, wherein the opening is connected to a suction device. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the female mold is a mold of a pressure bulkhead. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the female mold is a mold for a shell of a fuselage. 
     
     
         13 . A method for holding a metal sheet on a rim of a mold tool, the rim surrounding a female mold in the mold tool, the method comprising the following steps:
 a) arranging a metal sheet on a rim of a mold tool, the rim surrounding a female mold of the mold tool;   b) arranging a contact surface of a device according to  claim 1  opposite to the rim on the metal sheet:   c) providing pressure to the fluid of the device to hold the metal sheet on the rim with the pressure applicator of the device.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein step b) comprises the sub-step:
 b1) fixing the device to the mold tool.