The Boeing Company
Adjustable height membrane for hot drape forming a part

Abstract:

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for adjusting membrane height for hot drape forming. The apparatus includes a frame including an enclosable interior space and sidewalls defining a perimeter of the interior space. The apparatus further includes an adjustable collar within the interior space of the frame. The adjustable collar extends about the perimeter of the interior space and is configured to move translationally within the interior space of the frame along the sidewalls in a first direction. The apparatus further includes a membrane extending across the interior space in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, and co-movably coupled with the adjustable collar, wherein a position of the membrane within the interior space is adjustable in the first direction as the adjustable collar moves translationally within the interior space.