Process and device for localized gripping and holding of a thin, flexible panel, in particular having a complex shape
AssigneeAirbus France
InventorJean-Christophe Hamann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for locally gripping and holding a thin, flexible panel having a complex, nondevelopable shape. The method includes placing a first surface of the panel against a three-point support system without deforming the surface; applying a plurality of suction cups which are mobile with respect to a reference support onto the surface in an area of the surface to be supported; locking each suction cup in a gripping position with respect to the support without locally deforming the surface of the panel. A device for localized gripping and holding of a thin, flexible panel having a complex, nondevelopable shape is also disclosed.
Claims9
A method for localized gripping and holding of a thin, flexible panel having a complex, nondevelopable shape, the method comprising:
- placing a first surface of the panel against a three-point support system on a table support without deforming the first surface;
- applying a plurality of suction cups which are mobile with respect to the table support onto the first surface in an area of the first surface to be supported;
- locking each suction cup in a gripping position with respect to the table support;
- measuring the position of each suction cup with respect to the table support;
- calculating a real shape of the area of the surface of the panel being held by the suction cups;
- unlocking the suction cups in position;
- and
- re-locking each suction cup in the gripping position without causing a local deformation of the first surface of the panel.
A device for localized gripping and holding of a thin, flexible panel having a complex, nondevelopable shape, comprising:
- a turntable support having three positioning stops triangularly arranged thereon;
- a plurality of suction cup devices distributed uniformly between the positioning stops, each suction cup device including a suction cup mounted to slide perpendicularly to the turntable support;
- and
- means for applying the suction cup against a surface of the panel;
- means for applying a vacuum to the suction cup;
- and
- means for locking the suction cup in position to hold the panel without causing a local deformation of the panel
- wherein said means for applying the suction cups comprise a drive-lock mechanism and wherein said means for locking the suction cups include means for locking and releasing support elements of the suction cups in translation and orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.