Abstract: Fixture Apparatus and methods of manufacturing fixture apparatus. Fixture apparatus comprising: a first body to at least partially support an object, the first body including a structure having variable stiffness along at least a first axis of the first body.

Abstract: Fixture Apparatus and methods of manufacturing fixture apparatus. Fixture apparatus comprising: a first body to at least partially support an object, the first body including a structure having variable stiffness along at least a first axis of the first body.

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element (2) for holding a workpiece (8), the adhesive fastening element (2) comprising: an adhesive delivery tube (32) embedded in the adhesive fastening element (2) for supplying adhesive (10) to an exterior surface of the adhesive fastening element (2).

Abstract: A flexible tool comprises stiffening means switchable in use from a first state of relatively low stiffness to a second state of relatively high stiffness, and subsequently switchable from the second state back to the first state.

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element (602) for holding a workpiece (608), the adhesive fastening element (602) comprising: a body (604, 606) defining a recess (642) for receiving a protrusion (644) of the workpiece (608); wherein, in use, adhesive is applied between an end surface of the recess (642) and an end surface of the protrusion (644) and between a side surface of the recess (642) and a side surface of the protrusion (644) to bond the workpiece (608) to the adhesive fastening element (602). The workpiece (608) may be aligned with a reference point on the adhesive fastening element (602) and the adhesive cured to fix the position of the workpiece (608) relative to the adhesive fastening element (602).

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element (802) for holding a workpiece (808), the adhesive fastening element (802) comprising: an outer member (804); and a consumable inner member (806) disposed inside the outer member (804) and releasably movable relative to the outer member (804) along a longitudinal axis of the adhesive fastening element (802); wherein the consumable inner member (806) comprises a bonding surface which, in use, is bonded by an adhesive (810) to the workpiece (808) and is removed and replaced to detach the workpiece (808) from the adhesive fastening element (802).

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element includes a first member and a second member adjacent to the first member and movable relative to the first member along a longitudinal axis of the adhesive fastening element, wherein a bond is formed by an adhesive between the workpiece and the first and second members of the adhesive fastening element. A method for de- bonding a workpiece from an adhesive fastening element includes moving the second member away from the workpiece and breaks the bond between the second member and the workpiece and moving the first and second members such that the second member moves towards the workpiece and applies a force to the workpiece so as to break the bond between the first member and the workpiece, and lo de-bond the workpiece from the adhesive fastening element.

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element includes a first member and a second member adjacent to the first member and movable relative to the first member along a longitudinal axis of the adhesive fastening element, wherein a bond is formed by an adhesive between the workpiece and the first and second members of the adhesive fastening element. A method for debonding a workpiece from an adhesive fastening element includes moving the second member away from the workpiece and breaks the bond between the second member and the workpiece and moving the first and second members such that the second member moves towards the workpiece and applies a force to the workpiece so as to break the bond between the first member and the workpiece, and to de-bond the workpiece from the adhesive fastening element.

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element for holding a workpiece, the adhesive fastening element including: a light source for providing light to an exterior surface of the adhesive fastening element so as to cure an adhesive; and a light meter for receiving light from the exterior surface of the adhesive fastening element; wherein the light source is controlled in response to the amount of light received by the light meter.

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element (602) for holding a workpiece (608), the adhesive fastening element (602) comprising: a body (604, 606) defining a recess (642) for receiving a protrusion (644) of the workpiece (608); wherein, in use, adhesive is applied between an end surface of the recess (642) and an end surface of the protrusion (644) and between a side surface of the recess (642) and a side surface of the protrusion (644) to bond the workpiece (608) to the adhesive fastening element (602). The workpiece (608) may be aligned with a reference point on the adhesive fastening element (602) and the adhesive cured to fix the position of the workpiece (608) relative to the adhesive fastening element (602).

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element (2) for holding a workpiece (8), the adhesive fastening element (2) comprising: an adhesive delivery tube (32) embedded in the adhesive fastening element (2) for supplying adhesive (10) to an exterior surface of the adhesive fastening element (2).

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element (802) for holding a workpiece (808), the adhesive fastening element (802) comprising: an outer member (804); and a consumable inner member (806) disposed inside the outer member (804) and releasably movable relative to the outer member (804) along a longitudinal axis of the adhesive fastening element (802); wherein the consumable inner member (806) comprises a bonding surface which, in use, is bonded by an adhesive (810) to the workpiece (808) and is removed and replaced to detach the workpiece (808) from the adhesive fastening element (802).

Abstract: A flexible tool comprises stiffening means switchable in use from a first state of relatively low stiffness to a second state of relatively high stiffness, and subsequently switchable from the second state back to the first state.