Patent ID: 7344674

Claim:
A method of using a vacuum mandrel assembly, said method comprising: removably inserting a hollow mandrel shaft into a central bore disposed in a workpiece having means for admitting air from the surface of said workpiece to said central bore, whereby said hollow mandrel shaft has at least one aperture communicating with said central bore, and at least one end of said hollow mandrel shaft extending from said workpiece with at least one aperture connectible to a vacuum source; releaseably, non-rotatably securing said hollow mandrel shaft within said central bore so as to have said workpiece non-rotatingly mounted on said hollow mandrel shaft with said at least one end of said hollow mandrel shaft extending therefrom; centering said hollow mandrel shaft within said central bore using at least a first centering collar; and making a first vacuum forming male mold body of a desired profile from said workpiece blank.