Abstract: Apparatus and method for severing and stacking articles which have been differentially pressure formed in a sheet of thermoplastic material from the sheet. Apparatus is provided for moving the sheet in a horizontal path and relatively vertically moving opposed upper and lower trim dies into engagement with vertically opposite sides of the sheet to trim the articles from the sheet at a trim station. The articles free fall through an opening in the lower die and free fall to an underlying accumulator. The accumulator includes mechanism which is moveable from a stack forming position in the path of freely falling articles to receive and accumulate freely falling severed articles in a stack, and a releasing position in which a formed the stack is released for vertical free fall.

Abstract: Apparatus for differential pressure forming an article in a sheet of thermoplastic material having a pair of opposed differential pressure molds at a forming and trimming station moveable between open positions and closed positions engaging opposite sides of the sheet of thermoplastic material for differentially pressure forming an article in the sheet. Mechanism is provided for severing the article from the sheet and includes a pair of opposed trim dies mounted on the molds for movement therewith between spaced apart positions and sheet engaging positions when the molds are moved between open and closed positions. After the part is formed, wedge mechanism is moved transversely of the relative path of travel of the dies for incrementally indexing one of the dies toward the other of the dies to sever the article at the forming and trimming stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for vertically adjusting the position of a lower mold relative to an upper mold to control the shut height or spacing between the upper and lower molds when they are moved between vertically spaced apart, open positions, and closed positions engaging opposite sides of a thermoplastic sheet of material to form an object therein.A plurality of toggle links are pivotally coupled to each other and to the mold and frame for determining the final position of the mold and the closed position.The toggle link mechanism for the lower mold is mounted on the frame via a horizontally adjustable wedge mechanism which vertically adjusts another cooperating wedge mounting one pivotal end of the lower toggle links.

Abstract: A differential pressure machine for differentially pressure forming an article in a sheet of thermoplastic material including a frame, upper and lower platens movable on the frame between spread and less spread positions. Mechanism is provided for moving the platens between the spread and less spread positions for releasably locking the platens in the less spread positions. Upper and lower, opposed differential pressure molds mounted on the upper and lower platens, respectively, for movement therewith between open positions and closed positions for engaging opposite sides of a thermoplastic sheet of material and differentially pressure forming an article therein.

Abstract: A trim press for severing articles differentially pressure formed in a thermoplastic sheet comprising a stationary die member and a movable trim die member mounted on a frame for movement toward and away from the stationary trim die member between a spaced apart position and a closed position in which the trim die members engage opposite sides of a sheet to sever the article from the sheet. Dynamically balanced drive mechanism is provided for moving the platen in a to-and-fro path of travel while concurrently oppositely moving a counterbalance weight movably mounted on the frame.

Abstract: A trim press for severing articles differentially pressure formed in a thermoplastic sheet comprising a pair of dynamically balanced trim die members mounted for movement toward and away from each other between spaced apart positions and closed positions engaging opposite sides of the sheet to sever the article from the sheet. One of the trim die members includes an opening therethrough for receiving the article as it is being trimmed and for passing the article therethrough after it is trimmed and part receiver means stationarily mounted in alignment with the opening for receiving the articles from the moving trim die member.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the rotary position of any selected one of a plurality of rotatable die bolts to control the position of a die lip and the size of a die opening adjacent the die lip comprising a reciprocable drive member movable in a to-and-fro path of travel and a plurality of bolt actuating members mounted on the drive member for movement therewith and for movement relative thereto between positions removed from the bolts and bolt drive positions in driving relation with any selected one of the bolts.

Abstract: .Iadd.Method and apparatus for spin-welding thermoplastic articles in which two axially mating sections are driven in rotation relative to each other and then axially abutted in mating relationship. One of the two mating sections is chucked to an inertia member which is brought up to speed by a rotary drive. The rotary drive is uncoupled as the sections are moved into axial abuttment and the braking of the inertia member by the axial abuttment of the sections is transformed into frictional heat which welds the sections to each other. Apparatus for spin welding sections on a production line basis is disclosed. .Iaddend.