Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying equal forces to a workpiece or a plurality of work pieces having differing heights above an opposing surface and particularly adapted to use in a furnace for sintering of multi-layer ceramic (MLC) stacks. A combination of beams for dividing of a single applied force in a plurality of stages with spherical bearing surfaces for maintaining centering of transmitted forces and precisely consistent force division is employed. In one embodiment, equalizing beams are used to provide an unequal division of applied force, the smaller forces resulting from the unequal division being recombined to result in a force equal to the larger of the unequally divided forces.