Patent ID: 8277592

Claim:
A method of shaping a reflector using a shaping apparatus comprising a crossbar and an array of shaping members attached to a bottom of the crossbar so as to form a predetermined shape, the method comprising: positioning the shaping apparatus over a mirror such that at least a portion of the shaping members contact a surface of the mirror; moving the shaping members along the surface of the mirror such that the shaping members apply force to impart the predetermined shape to the mirror; and attaching a mirror support to the mirror such that when the shaping apparatus is removed from the mirror, the mirror retains the predetermined shape; wherein: the crossbar is attached to a stabilizing member that controls motion of the shaping apparatus during movement of the shaping members along the surface of the mirror; the stabilizing member comprises an outrigger bar disposed in a middle section of the crossbar and positioned perpendicular to the crossbar; at least one outrigger wheel is positioned proximate an end of the outrigger bar; and positioning the shaping apparatus comprises positioning the crossbar such that the outrigger wheel does not contact the mirror.