Patent ID: 8282068

Claim:
A tool, comprising a tool shell formed of a plurality of separate segments and having a top side for shaping a fiber-reinforced component, an underside comprising an integrally molded ribbed structure including a plurality of reinforcing ribs and means for connecting said separate segments to one another, wherein said means for connecting includes screws extending through fastening edges of said segments on said underside and provides a form-fit connection and a weld seam joining the segments on said top side, in a vacuum-tight manner, wherein said tool shell is dimensionally stable and is provided with an integrally molded ribbed structure on said underside to provide a dimensional stability, wherein said reinforcing ribs are selected from the group consisting of ribs which have same coefficients of thermal expansion as does said tool shell, ribs which are composed of essentially a same material as said tool shell and both, and wherein said tool shell and said ribbed structure together form an element composed of a one-piece same material.