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.

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 tooling system for moulding a work piece is provided The tooling system comprises a mould tool (4) having a tool surface divided into a plurality of individual temperature controlled tool zones (6), and a control system for controlling the temperature of the plurality of individual zones of a tool surface, the control system comprising, a memory means (14) for storing desired curing parameters for the work piece, a plurality of sensors (12) associated with the individual tool zones (6) that sense and output a signal indicative of a property of the work piece or the tool surface in each tool zone (6), a main processor (16) and a controller (18) The main processor (16) is programmed to monitor said output signals so as to monitor said property of the work piece or tool surface and to read the desired curing parameters from the memory means (14) The controller (?8) is programmed to receive said signals and to receive information relating to said desired curing parameters of each tool zone (6) and, based on the

Abstract: A tool system for moulding 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 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A mould tool component (10) has a mould face (34), a temperature control face (36) opposite the mould 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 moulding an article is provided which comprising a tool (100) having a tool surface (104) for forming an article, the tool surface comprising a plurality of tool zones (106). Heating and cooling means (102a) are independently associated with at least some of said tool zones (106). A control means is adapted to control the heating and cooling means (102a) to individually heat or cool the tool zones (106) having heating and cooling means (102a) associated therewith so as to regulate the heat transfer into and out of the article at each tool zone (106) at any particular time throughout the moulding process.

Abstract: A mould 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 (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 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 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: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elongate elements each having an upper surface, said elements being arranged in an array to present said upper surfaces for machining by cutting tool means; support means for supporting said elements, each said element being supported on said support means for axial movement between upper and lower positions relative to the other elements in the array thereby to enable adjustment of the vertical position of said element surface; and clamping means for clamping the array of elements in a closed position in which the elements contact one another for enabling the free ends of the elements to be machined to produce a desired surface contour.

Abstract: A tooling system includes a plurality of elements arranged in an array, each element being moveable longitudinally relative to the other elements in the array and having a first end. The system further includes a device, adapted to adjust the relative longitudinal positions of the elements such that the free ends of the elements define approximately a desired surface contour and a device for retaining the elements in their adjusted positions. The first end of each element may be provided on a machinable portion removably mounted to a base portion, the arrangement being such that the free ends of the elements can be machined to produce the desired surface contour.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tooling system comprising a plurality of elements (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) having tessellating sides arranged in an array. The elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart. In the open position the elements are capable of vertical movement relative to one another. Drive means for opening and closing the array are provided and the elements are mounted on supporting rails (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14) and are driven by the drive means between the open position and the closed position along a drive axis which is at angle to the longitudinal axis of the supporting rails.