Patents Assigned to Surface Generation Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20120280415
    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 curring 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 th
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: SURFACE GENERATION LTD.
    Inventor: Ben Halford
  • Publication number: 20120267828
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Surface Generation Ltd.
    Inventor: Ben Halford
  • Publication number: 20100295229
    Abstract: A tooling system (1) having a number of elements (2) arranged in an array, which elements define a contoured surface, or a section of a contoured surface. The tooling system also including means (7) for mounting an element to a support rail (5) which extends across the array, which means allows adjustment of the height of the element with respect to other elements of the array, and extends through the support rail into a space defined below the support rail. A supporting element (6) formed from a suitable resistant material and including accommodation means (8) for the means for mounting, is located in the space below the support rail and is sized so that it substantially vertically fills the space between the support rail and a base on which the tooling system is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Surface Generation Ltd.
    Inventor: Ben John Halford
  • Patent number: 7610790
    Abstract: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elements (24) arranged in an array, the elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another and are secured in position, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart and are capable of vertical movement relative to one another. The tooling system further comprises bolster means (34, 36) provided to hold the elements of the array securely in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Surface Generation Ltd.
    Inventor: Ben John Halford
  • Publication number: 20090020936
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Surface Generation Ltd.
    Inventor: Ben John Halford
  • Publication number: 20080122152
    Abstract: A tooling system comprises a plurality of elements (24) arranged in an array, each element being supported on a cross rail (22) and being moveable relative to the other elements in the array. Each element terminates in a threaded support post (25) extending from a first end of the element, and is associated with a corresponding internally threaded aperture in the cross rail upon which the element is supported. The tooling system further comprises an adjusting component in the form of a fork (46) which is driveable in rotation and engageable with an element of the array to drive the element in rotation, upon rotation of the fork.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Surface Generation Ltd.
    Inventor: Ben John Halford