摘要 |
A flexible manufacturing tool is provided. The tool includes a multi-layer generally planar sheet of material defining a tool surface thereon, means such as spaced jacks to controllably deform the sheet by applying out-of-plane deforming forces to the sheet and means selectively to increase and decrease interlayer shear or frictional forces whereby to vary the flexural stiffness of the sheet. Such means may comprise applying a vacuum between the layers to increase interlayer friction or the use of softenable polymers between the layers. |