Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for binding of particulate materials to manufacture articles including continuous panels or sheets. Particulate feed materials are mixed with a heat curable binder and the mixture is fed to and compressed in a die. A radio frequency (RF) field is applied across electrodes between which the mixture is held compressed to inductively or dielectrically heat and cure the binder. Prior to entering the die the mixture is first fed to an intake zone where the mixture is shaped into substantially the same shape as the shape of the mixture in the die so that any curing of the binder due to heating of the mixture in the intake zone occurs while the mixture is in the desired final shape. Operating parameters including shape and dimensions of the intake zone, mixture advancement lengths, are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for binding of particulate materials to manufacture articles including continuous panels or sheets (22). Particulate feed materials are mixed with a heat curable binder and the mixture (21) is fed to and compressed in a die (25). A radio frequency (RF) field is applied across electrodes (28, 29) between which the mixture is held compressed to inductively or dielectrically heat and cure the binder. Prior to entering the die (25) the mixture is first fed to an intake zone (32) where the mixture is shaped into substantially the same shape as the shape of the mixture in the die so that any curing of the binder due to heating of the mixture in the intake zone (32) occurs while the mixture is in the desired final shape. Operating parameters including shape and dimensions of the intake zone, mixture advancement lengths, are disclosed.