Abstract: A method of processing flowable materials. In customary methods of this type, the material is impelled by a rotor immersed in the material, with radial and axial restriction of the movement of the material at the boundary layer of the material in contact with the rotor. Such customary methods are hereby improved in that the magnitude and direction of the acceleration impulse(s) imparted to the material are adjusted to the process conditions by changing the configuration of processing implements which extend generally radially out from the rotational axis of the rotor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for conducting quality inspection of molded/formed articles (2) produced in a molding or forming machine which enables automation of the inspection by sensing surface coordinates using an optical triangulation sensor moved along a suitable sensing path (5), wherein spatial coordinate values of the surface of the article (2) obtained in the course of the movement of the sensor along the sensing path (5) are used to generate actual dimensional parameters which are compared with dimensional parameters determined for the prescribed desired dimensional form of the article, and the quality of the article (2) is evaluated based on the results of the comparisons.

Abstract: A brick press for the production of formed bodies from free-flowing materials has a measuring and comparison device, in which pressing force and press path are detected from the beginning of the pressing process and are compared with a preset pressure curve, which represents the pressure/path setpoint value of the pressing process. Any deviations from the force/path setpoint value determined outside a range of tolerance of pressure curve are used as a signal for early ending of the pressing process. Reject formed bodies resulting in this case can be crushed effortlessly and again recycled in the initial material to be pressed without subsequent treatment. A process is also disclosed for the control and regulation of the pressing process.

Abstract: A vertical press, which has replaceable mold components, has lifting devices for lifting and conveying these parts. The lifting and conveying devices are mounted on a movable topmost mold carrier element of the press, so that the drive and control devices of this mold carrier element (4), which are provided for the pressing process, can be utilized simultaneously for the vertical movement of the lifting and conveying devices. By a programmed control, the necessary movements to shape-specific intermediate positions and coupling and decoupling processes to be performed at these positions are programmed for a series of shapes and can be performed automatically.