Device and method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced composite fuselage shell for an aircraft

A device for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced fuselage shell for an aircraft, wherein the fuselage shell comprises a plurality of stringers spaced apart from each other, the device comprising:

• a base frame for forming a load-bearing, rigid, substructure with an outwardly-curved mounting surface for the positive-rigging of a fiber-reinforced fuselage shell to be manufactured,
• a plurality of actuators affixed to and extending radially outwards from the outwardly-curved mounting surface and being longitudinally adjustable;
• a plurality of mold channels attached at the distal ends of actuators and configured for receiving the plurality of stringers;
• wherein the plurality of mold channels are rigidly interconnected by at least one of a plurality of hinges and additional mold channels for forming a vacuum-tight closed mold surface, wherein the plurality of hinges are arranged along longitudinal edges of the mold channels;
• and
• an actuator for folding down a side flank of the closed mold surface, wherein the side flank is configured to be hinged over the closed mold surface;
• wherein the actuator is hingeably mounted, by associated joints, on the outwardly-curved mounting surface.