Abstract: A mold fixture 20 for safe and efficient extraction, insertion and storage of mold inserts 26, 28 is provided. The mold fixture 20 includes a lower receiving area 24 for fixedly receiving a lower mold insert 28, an upper receiving area 22 for fixedly receiving an upper mold insert 26. The mold fixture 20 facilitates insertion or extraction of the upper and lower mold inserts 26, 28 into/from a molding machine 1 in a safe and secure manner. Furthermore, the upper and lower mold inserts 26, 28 can be securely stored within the mold fixture 20 at a storage location.

Abstract: Molding apparatus for rapid transfer of molten resin or pitch in an infiltration molding process. The apparatus includes e.g. an extruder (4) for melting and conveying a resin or pitch and a mold (10) arranged so that resin or pitch is conveyed to a mold insert cavity (19) within the mold. The mold insert contains an internal protrusion such as a locating ring (25) for positioning a porous body (1, 18) within the mold insert cavity in a position that brings about unidirectional flow of the molten resin or pitch through the porous body. Also, rapid resin or pitch infiltration molding process that includes injecting a high melting point, high viscosity, molten resin or pitch into the mold to effect a unidirectional impregnation of a heated preform via a pressure gradient in the mold.

Abstract: A rapid resin or pitch transfer molding apparatus, and a method of using it. The apparatus of this invention comprises: means for melting and conveying a resin or pitch; a mold (3) arranged so that melted resin or pitch is conveyed from the melting and conveying means into an annular mold cavity (1, 35) within an insert (2) in the molding apparatus, wherein said insert comprises means (6, 7, 8, 9, 86) for effecting flow of the resin or pitch from the top (87) and bottom (85) of the mold cavity (1, 35) to vents (22, 25, 81) located in the center of, at the top and/or bottom of, and/or annularly around the mold cavity (1, 35); and means disposed at the mold to constrain the mold during supply of the resin or pitch into the mold.