Abstract: A mould tool (100) has a first part (102) defining a first area (114) of a mould profile, an actuated part (130) defining a second, adjacent area (132) of the mould profile, which actuated part is configured to move from a moulding position to an actuated position at the end of each mould cycle to facilitate removal of a moulded component. The actuated part (130) comprises a temperature control apparatus (108) configured to control the temperature of the actuated part to influence a clearance (C) between the first part and the actuated part by thermal expansion and/or contraction of the actuated part.

Abstract: A method of moulding (10; 20) and apparatus (108; 208; 308) therefor, in which a workpiece (100) is preheated and/or post-cooled before and/or after a moulding process, allowing optimal use of the tool for high precision moulding operations.

Abstract: A method of moulding and apparatus therefor, in which a workpiece is preheated and/or post-cooled before and/or after a moulding process, allowing optimal use of the tool for high precision moulding operations.

Abstract: A tool (100) comprises a plurality of layers (102, 104, 106) which are arranged to provide a thermally agile tool face (110) and to protect control circuitry and delicate components (150) from excessive temperatures.

Abstract: A mould tool (100) is provided which has a multipart mould layer assembly (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) which may either be formed from a carrier (202; 302; 402; 502) and an insert (206; 306; 406; 506) defining a mould profile, or a mould face component (602; 702) having a plurality of stackable blocks (630, 632, 634) which can be assembled to form a mould layer.

Abstract: A mould tool (100) defining a workpiece profile has a first fluid-based temperature control assembly configured to control the temperature of the mould tool (100) which exhausts to a peripheral chamber (160) proximate the periphery of the workpiece profile (100) to reduce a temperature difference between the mould tool (100) and the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A mould tool assembly (10) has a mould tool component (14) having a temperature control face (24) arranged to be in thermal contact with a mould face (12), a temperature control arrangement (26) comprising a fluid outlet (32) directed towards the temperature control face (24); and a thermally conductive structure (40) extending from: (i) a first region in which the structure (40) is offset from the temperature control face (24) and the structure is in the path of a fluid jet (1) emanating from the fluid outlet (32) to (ii) a second region in contact with temperature control face, which second region is spaced from the first region. A diffuser (70; 80; 90) is also provided on the temperature control face for more event mould tool heating.

Abstract: A tool element assembly (100) has a tool element (102) with a tool surface (110) and a control surface (112) opposite the tool surface. A thermal control structure (104) is provided defining a flow chamber (103) partially bounded by the control surface, and having an inlet (148) and an outlet (121) which control chamber diverges towards the control surface.

Abstract: A tool (100) comprises a plurality of layers (102, 104, 106) which are arranged to provide a thermally agile tool face (110) and to protect control circuitry and delicate components (150) from excessive temperatures.

Abstract: A tool (2, 102, 202) is constructed from a plurality of tessellating elements (34, 134, 234) to form a mandrel for the deposition of composite fibers.

Abstract: A multi-layered tool for forming a working having an active thermal layer disposed between two layers of the tool which is independently controllable to add or subtract thermal energy to or from the tool.

Abstract: A mold tool component (10) has a mold face (34), a temperature control face (36) opposite the mold face (34), a cavity (42) adjacent the temperature control face (36), and at least one rib (16) extending from the temperature control face (36) into the cavity (42), which rib (16) has a concave profile in cross section.

Abstract: A tool system for molding an article comprising a tool (100) having a tool surface (110) for forming an article, the tool surface (110) comprising a plurality of tool zones, a plurality of fluid flow paths (151, 152) to direct the flow of a heating or a cooling fluid to individual tool zones, heating means comprising an in-line heater (150) for heating fluid passing through a respective heating fluid flow path and cooling means comprising a cooling fluid flow path, the cooling fluid flow path bypassing the in-line heater of the heating fluid flow path.

Abstract: A tool (2, 102, 202) is constructed from a plurality of tessellating elements (34, 134, 234) to form a mandrel for the deposition of composite fibres.

Abstract: A method of moulding and apparatus therefor, in which a workpiece is preheated and/or post-cooled before and/or after a moulding process, allowing optimal use of the tool for high precision moulding operations.

Abstract: A tool (2, 102, 202) is constructed from a plurality of tessellating elements (34, 134, 234) to form a mandrel for the deposition of composite fibers.

Abstract: A mold tool (10) has a temperature management system having a first fluid based heater (18) heating a first side (12) of the tool, which exhausts to a fluid heater (34) on a second side of the tool (14) and is re-circulated back to the first side (12).

Abstract: A tool (100) comprises a plurality of layers (102, 104, 106) which are arranged to provide a thermally agile tool face (110) and to protect control circuitry and delicate components (150) from excessive temperatures.

Abstract: A tool element assembly (10) is provided in which ambient air is drawn into a fluid chamber (24) and heated via a heating element (28) in order to provide a low pressure, efficient, heating system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for the management of multiple heated mould tools (302, 304) in a facility with limited resource, by monitoring energy usage of a first mould tool (302), and starting a second mould tool (304) when enough energy is available.