Abstract: Molding apparatus (10) is provided which allows use of a particulate non-liquid molding material (121) to produce a variety of articles, such as frustoconical barrel segments (122). The apparatus (10) includes a female mold segment (18) including generally annular inner and outer sidewalls (70, 76) and a complemental male mold section (20) having an annular sidewall unit (30). In use, a molding material (121) is placed between the sidewalls (70, 76) and the section (20) is shifted so that it telescopes within the section (18); this compresses the material (121) to a desired final shape, which is then hardened to yield the final product (122). An optional wear insert (26) can be used with female mold section (18), which can be replaced as needed and assists in cleaning of the apparatus (10).

Abstract: Described is an interior trim panel (20) and method of manufacturing same comprising the steps of: providing a foam trim panel (22), treating the foam panel with a coating composition containing a polymerizable polymer, and an organofunctional silaceous material; and shaping and curing the treated panel to a desired configuration so that the organofunctional silaceous material reacts and cures to assist in the foam panel retaining its desired configuration.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an in-line compounding and extrusion deposition compression molding apparatus and method for producing a fiber-reinforced molded structural component is provided. The apparatus comprises an extruder device having an internal cavity formed therein and an extruder screw rotatably disposed within the internal cavity for producing a polymer melt. A deposition die head is disposed at a first end of the device, the deposition die head having a die channel disposed therein for receiving the polymer melt from the device. The apparatus includes at least one fiber element for feeding at least one reinforcing fiber element into the die channel for compounding the at least one reinforcing fiber element with the polymer melt to produce a fiber-reinforced polymer compound. The apparatus additionally includes a mold for receiving the fiber-reinforced polymer compound to form the fiber-reinforced molded structural component.

Abstract: A valve-gate mechanism for use with gas-assisted plastic injection molding systems. A moveable pin mechanism is positioned in a bushing or machine nozzle to regulate the injection of plastic material into a mold cavity. The pin mechanism has an outer pin member and an inner pin member. Movement of the inner pin member relative to the outer pin member allows gas to be injected into the plastic in the mold cavity. A spring member, such as a Belleville washer, biases the inner pin member to a closed position relative to the outer pin member. Gas pressure from the gas source overcomes the force of the spring member allowing gas to enter into the mold cavity.

Abstract: A peripherally encapsulated product, such as an oven door outer shell, is molded in accordance with this invention by placing a piece of glass between mold clamping portions of relatively movable closed bodies when the latter are in an open position. Preferably both bodies are heated and thermosetting polymeric material (SMC or BMC) is placed upon selected areas of one of the mold bodies within and about an area corresponding to an annular mold cavity and outboard of a peripheral edge of a piece of glass. The glass is clamped between mold clamping portions of the mold bodies which are then progressively closed creating compression forces which extrude the thermosetting polymeric material into the annular cavity and into complete encapsulation of the continuous peripheral edge of the piece of glass. The thermosetting polymeric material is cured, the mold bodies are opened and the product is removed therefrom.

Abstract: The method of moving a turntable in an apparatus for molding and punching out containers from a thermoplastic plastic foil by a differential pressure is to be executed such that relatively-small gravitational forces occur as the end positions of the pivoting movement are approached. In this way, the apparatus can be operated with a high stroke number, and not necessitate complicated curved paths. This is attained through the reduction of the distance between the center of gravity of the unit comprising the turntable and the lower tool half and a fixed pivot point in the first half of the pivoting angle during the pivoting of the turntable, with the distance being increased again in the second half of the pivoting angle. This change in position supports the accelerating or braking of the turntable.

Abstract: A holding device (1) for injection molding mold halves (61.2) or their holders contains two displacement units (2.1, 2.2), on each of which a rotation unit (4.1, 4.2) is attached. On each rotation unit (4.1, 4.2) there are holders (5.1, 5.2). Into the space (d) between the two holders (5.1, 5.2) a die holder designed as a prism-shaped rotating block can be inserted. The die holder in the holding device (1) can be displaced in one direction (z) and can be rotated around a displaceable axis (42.1, 42.2), which is vertical to the one direction (z). The displacement units (2.1, 2.2) can be displaced relative to one another to permit rapid and easy changing of injection molding molds (62.1).

Abstract: A method of making a painted part out of molded thermoplastic material, the method including making the part to be painted by a method of molding thermoplastic material in the cavity of a mold; allowing the part made in this way to cool at least on the surface, cooling being accompanied by shrinkage, and being performed by opening the mold that was used to make the part that is to be painted; and injecting paint around the part in a cavity of a mold having the same shape as the mold cavity that was used for molding the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A method for producing open-ended biaxially oriented containers includes forming a biaxially oriented intermediate by blow forming, without plug assist, a sheet of unoriented thermoplastic material into a forming tube to a depth of draw sufficient for full orientation of the side walls. The blow formed intermediate is placed on a male form a predetermined size, shape, and texture. The intermediate is heated above the orientation temperature of the thermoplastic material to heat shrink the intermediate onto the surface of the male form. The formed container is then removed from the male form.

Abstract: Processes for producing durable three-dimensional bowls such as water basins comprising plastics preferably acrylics heavily filled with alumina trihydrate, some embodiments including visible particles such as those sometimes used for simulating nature stone. A preferred process for manufacturing the bowls of such material includes defining a flat rigid blank such as from a larger rectangular bulk sheet in the approximate top outline shape of bowl to be formed, e.g., the blank being oval for an oval bowl and circular for a circular bowl. The blank is provided a smooth side which will be the concave finished and exposed side in use. The blank is heated to a point of softening and of uniform temperature throughout, located within a molding die such as a matched molding die having a female cavity of the desired bowl shape, indexed to the die, but left generally unrestrained so that the heated blank and un-clamped edges thereof are allowed to draw inward to reduce tension loads during forming.

Abstract: The retreat completion position of the screw in the charging step in actual production is controlled based on the result in pilot production as follows. In pilot production, the measurement value Ts of the screw driving torque is integrated with respect to the screw position P from the forward limit to the retreat completion position Ps. When conforming item is produced in the pilot production, the value &Sgr;Ts·dP obtained as a result of the integration is stored as a reference value. After actual production begins, the measurement value Tx of the screw driving torque is integrated in real time with respect to the screw position P from the forward limit to the screw position at each time. The obtained value &Sgr;Tx·dP is monitored. When this value &Sgr;Tx·dP coincides with the reference value &Sgr;Ts·dP, it is determined that the charging step has been completed, and the retreat operation of the screw is stopped.

Abstract: A control method for an injection molding machine comprises the steps of measuring a density of a molten resin in a heating cylinder, controlling a stroke of an injection screw in an injection process by feed forward control based on the measuring step, and controlling an operating parameter of the injection molding machine based upon the measuring step.

Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding multi-colored plastic lures, utilizing an openable mold into which a mold mandrel is pivotally inserted between a pair of mold plates. A separator bar is selectively positioned between an injection and a joining position. In the injection position the separator bar separates an adjacent and a successive element of a multi-element cavity permitting communication of a selected plastic source with an adjacent element, while preventing communication with a successive element. In a joining position the separator bar permits communication between the adjacent element and the successive element, while preventing communication with the selected plastic source. Pivotally inserted, axially extensible mandrels define an inner article form and extract the formed lures from the mold cavities when the process is completed.

Abstract: Improved hot runner valve gate piston apparatus and method includes structure and steps whereby the air piston cylinder wall transmits less than all of the compressive force between the backplate and the manifold. Preferably, a backup pad is disposed in contact with the manifold and the backplate, for transmitting some of these compressive forces. Preferably, the backup pad also transmits heat from the backplate to the manifold, reducing the temperature of the cylinder wall. A flex member is preferably provided adjacent to or integral with the cylinder for absorbing some of the compressive forces between the backplate and the manifold, and in order to maintain the air seal between the piston cylinder in the air channel in the hot runner backplate.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional part by successive layer-by-layer solidification of a solidifiable material, which is solidified at locations corresponding to the cross section of the part is described. The apparatus has a machine housing and a building space provided in the machine housing. An interchangeable container forms a delimiting frame for the material within the building space. The container has a work piece platform. The work piece platform is supported on a supporting device during operation of the apparatus. Preferably, the interchangeable container has a rear side wall with a recess extending vertically, and the supporting device engages the work piece platform through the recess.

Abstract: A water flow guide stationarily mounted in the water box of an underwater pelletizer to selectively direct the pressurized water flowing through the water box in order to more efficiently cool and rigidify the extruded polymer strands and enable the rotary cutter blades to more effectively shear the strands into pellets and to convey the sheared pellets away from the die face and rotary cutter blades of the pelletizer to the water box outlet. The water flow guide provides an accurately guided pressurized water flow which enables pelletization of polymers of various diameters and a wide range of specific gravity and rheological characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for the agglomeration of feed material with thermoplastic properties has a radially symmetrical hollow chamber with a perforated die defining its periphery and a front wall element and a rear wall element closing off ends of the hollow chamber. A material feeding system is connected to the hollow chamber. An agglomerating vane arranged in the hollow chamber rotates in a direction of rotation about a longitudinal axis of the hollow chamber. The agglomerating vane has a front side in the direction of rotation. The front side, the front and rear wall elements, and the perforated die define a revolving plasticizing chamber. The front and rear wall elements have inner surfaces facing the hollow chamber and at least one of the inner surfaces has profiles running from an inner area of the inner surface to an outer area of the inner surface for transporting the feed material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion head (10) for a blow molding machine for producing two-layered hollow plastic bodies, including one or more extruders, connected to the extrusion head housing (12), for supply of molten plastic melt. In particular when using different plastic materials of different viscosities, it is very important to create for both materials substantially the same rheological flow conditions when distributed across the circumference to form a tubular parison.

Abstract: A reusable vacuum bag apparatus for use in a compaction operation by which composite parts are formed. The apparatus includes a flexible, inflatable support structure which is secured to a reusable flexible mat vacuum bag. When inflated, the support structure maintains the vacuum bag in the orientation it needs to assume when placed on a forming tool associated with a compaction apparatus. The support structure is formed by a plurality of intercoupled linear and curving tubing segments which form a grid-like support structure. The support structure is shaped in accordance with the configuration and contours of the reusable vacuum bag portion, which is in turn shaped in accordance with a forming tool. The support structure can be de-inflated, which allows the vacuum bag secured thereto to be stored in a compact arrangement when not in use.

Abstract: A high throughput, automated process for coating ceramic monoliths used as catalytic converters that overcomes problems with coating monoliths individually in a mold. The monoliths are provided with end caps to cover the open functional ends, then loaded serially into an inlet channel leading to an extrusion chamber. As each monolith is pushed into the channel, one monolith enters the extrusion chamber, and the monolith just coated in the extrusion chamber is made to exit onto a finished part conveyor. Thereafter, the end caps are removed and cleaned for reuse on new monoliths yet to be coated.