A die mechanism, an apparatus, and a method for shaping a component for creep-age forming

摘要

A die mechanism 110comprises a first and a second support members 120-1, 120-2, extending in a first direction X. Plural pin modules 130 extend between support members in a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction. Each pin module comprises plural pins 140 heights of which define a shape profile for shaping the component 300 during creep-age forming. The modules 130 may move along the support members in the X direction and the pins may move along the pin modules in the Y direction. The pin heights may be adjustable. A shaping member 150 may be attached to the ends of the pins of a pin module to adopt the defined shape profile. A second similarly constructed die mechanism 210 may be provided opposing the first die mechanism 110. The pin modules may be removable from the supports and the pins may be removable from the modules. Each pin may be threaded into a pin housing (160, figure 4) having grooves in their sides to engage and slide on guiding members (136) of module racks (134). The shaping members 150 may be metallic, elastically deformable and attached magnetically to the pins. The die may creep-age form aircraft wing skins.