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 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 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 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: 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 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 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

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: An element for a tooling system comprising a plurality of elements arranged in an array to form a tool face,the element comprising: a first end having attachment means for attachment to a tool bed, a second end comprising a section of a tool face: wherein the element is a composite element comprising: a first section of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, the first end being a free end of the first section, and a second section substantially of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the second being a free end of the second section, and wherein the first coefficient of thermal expansion is lower than the second coefficient of thermal expansion.

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.