Method for attaching guide means to a flexible sheet-like structure and preparatory device therefor

A method for attaching guide means to a flexible sheet structure, comprising:

• holding regions, spaced apart from one another in a Y-direction, of a flexible sheet structure extending in an X-direction and the Y-direction, the holding regions being spaced apart from one another by being acted upon with a predetermined pretensioning force acting in the Y-direction, with the result that a pretension state is achieved,
• in a further processing state which corresponds to the pretension state or to the pretension state relieved by an amount of a predetermined relief distance in the Y-direction with respect to the pretension state, guide means extending in the X-direction and spaced apart from one another in the Y-direction are fastened to the sheet structure,
• the sheet structure, while being acted upon with the pretensioning force is held in a region of the holding regions in each case by holding means, and the holding means are part of a common holding device which can be handled separately,
• before action by the pretensioning force, the sheet structure is introduced into the holding device, and the holding means are put into a holding state, and
• the holding device is placed on a loading device designed for applying the pretensioning force.