Abstract: A vacuum molding roll sleeve (100, 700, 800)comprises a body (119, 818, 819) comprising a mold wall portion (120, 820) disposed between a molding surface (110, 1210, 710, 810) and at least one vacuum surface (130, 830). The molding surface (110, 1210, 710, 810) has shaped depressed features and has first openings (112, 812) disposed therein at first predetermined positions (134). Each first opening (112, 812) is spaced apart from the at least one vacuum surface (130, 830) by a respective minimum thickness (135, 835). The at least one vacuum surface (130, 830) has second openings (132, 832) disposed therein at second predetermined positions (134). The first openings (112, 812) are fluidly connected to the second openings (132, 832) by conduits (140, 840) wherein, on a respective basis, at least some of the conduits (140, 840) are longer than the minimum thickness (135, 835) between the first openings (112, 812) and the vacuum surface (130, 830).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods related to making a stamped article and articles and assemblies made therefrom. The methods include providing a partial replica of the stamped article having opposed first and second major surfaces, and then coupling the partial replica to a walled enclosure to provide a mold assembly having upper and lower chambers separated from each other by the partial replica. Compositions can be hardened in the upper and lower chambers to provide upper and lower tools having a shape complemental to the first and second major surfaces. After removing the upper and lower tools from the mold assembly, a deformable sheet can be pressed between the upper and lower tools to form the stamped article.