Patent ID: 7666065

Claim:
A shaping apparatus for shaping a flotation core, the shaping apparatus including a worktable; a cradle mounted on the worktable, the cradle including: at least one support that is adjustably mounted on the cradle to be adjustable at least along a Z-axis and configured to support the core, said at least one support configured to inhibit deformation of the core when the at least one engagement mechanism engages said core; and a leveling arrangement mounted on the cradle for bearing against the core, the leveling arrangement defining at least two support formations that are positioned along the Y-axis so that the core is leveled about the X-axis; a gantry for supporting a rotary shaping machine so that a tool of the machine rotates in a Y-Z plane, the worktable and the gantry being displaceable relative to each other along X-, Y- and Z-axes; and a displacement mechanism for displacing the worktable and the gantry relative to each other on receipt of suitable control signals.