Tooling system and method

A method of tooling, comprising:

• mounting a plurality of elements in an array, each element having an upper portion removably mounted on a base portion;
• adjusting the positions of the elements in a longitudinal direction relative to one another in order to achieve predetermined relative positions of the elements;
• and
• machining the upper portions to a desired tooling surface contour while the elements are retained in their adjusted positions.

A tooling system for approximating a desired tooling surface comprising:

• a plurality of elements arranged in an array, each element being moveable longitudinally relative to the other elements in the array and having a first end;
• adjustment means for individually adjusting positions of the elements in a longitudinal direction in order to achieve predetermined relative positions of the elements;
• retaining means for retaining the elements in their adjusted positions, wherein the first end of each element is provided on a machinable portion removably mounted on a base portion;
• and
• a plurality of moveable rails, each rail having a plurality of said elements mounted thereon in a single line, the rails being movable relative one another in a direction substantially perpendicular the longitudinal direction of the elements so as to allow the elements to be moved from a closed position, in which the elements on one of said moveable rails contact the elements on an adjacent moveable rail, to an open position, in which elements on at least two adjacent rows of the array are spaced apart such that individual elements can be moved relative one another.

A tooling system for approximating a desired tooling surface, comprising:

• a plurality of elements arranged in an array, each element being moveable longitudinally relative to the other elements in the array and having a first end;
• adjustment means for individually adjusting positions of the elements in a longitudinal direction in order to achieve predetermined relative positions of the elements;
• retaining means for retaining the elements in their adjusted positions, wherein the first end of each element is provided on a machinable portion removably mounted on a base portion, the free ends of the elements designed to be machined to produce the desired tooling surface contour;
• and
• a plurality of moveable rails, each rail having a plurality of said elements mounted thereon in a single line, the rails being movable relative to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elements so as to allow the elements to be moved from a closed position, in which elements on one of said moveable rails contact the elements on adjacent moveable rail, to an open position, in which elements on at least two adjacent rows of the array are spaced apart.

A tooling system for approximating a desired tooling surface, comprising:

• a plurality of elements arranged in an array, each element being moveable longitudinally relative to the other elements in the array and having a first end;
• adjustment means for individually adjusting the positions of the elements in a longitudinal direction in order to achieve predetermined relative positions of the elements;
• retaining means for retaining the elements in their adjusted positions, wherein the first end of each element is provided on a machinable portion removably mounted on a base portion, the free ends of the elements designed to be machined to produce the desired tooling surface contour;
• and
• a plurality of moveable rails, each rail having a plurality of said elements mounted thereon, the rails movable relative to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elements so as to allow the elements to be moved from a closed position, in which the elements on one of said moveable rails contact the elements on adjacent moveable rail, to an open position, in which elements on at least two adjacent rows of the array are spaced apart,
• wherein the elements are substantially square in cross section and rows and columns of elements in the array are arranged at an angle offset from the longitudinal direction of the movable rails.

A tooling system for approximating a desired tooling surface, comprising:

• a plurality of elements arranged in an array, each element being moveable longitudinally relative to the other elements in the array and having a first end;
• adjustment means for individually adjusting the positions of the elements in a longitudinal direction in order to achieve predetermined relative positions of the elements;
• and
• retaining means for retaining the elements in their adjusted positions, wherein the first end of each element is provided on a machinable portion removably mounted on a base portion, free ends of the elements designed to be machined to produce a desired tooling surface contour,
• wherein the elements are bonded together at the tooling surface.