Abstract: Pieces of flat sheet material, such as films of synthetics or cloth, are fed by a transport apparatus in a stretched out condition into a processing station, for example a molding and laminating station or a treatment station. The transport apparatus uses either tentering type frames or a conveyer with tentering chains. A piece of flat sheet material is attached to a tentering frame or to the tentering chains by a respective apparatus. The tentering frames are moved vertically in a determined order between a lower position, an intermediate position, an upper position and a delivering position located in the processing station horizontally at the same level as one of the three other positions, whereby a tentering frame carrying a piece is moved into the processing station for delivering the piece of sheet material and back again for exchange with a tentering frame carrying another piece of sheet material.

Abstract: Sheet material to be laminated to a substructure is presented in a stretched out condition for enclosing between upper and lower laminating tools. For this purpose a sheet material transport mechanism such as a tentering frame is movable back and forth between the laminating station and a sheet receiving position. The sheet margins around outer and inner edges of the laminated work piece are then trimmed and bent over inwardly. These operations are performed while keeping the work piece on the same lower tool or mold during all operations. The lower tools are moved from laminating to trimming and vice versa on a turntable.

Abstract: A three-dimensional work piece, such as an interior part for a car, is manufactured by keeping the blank, such as a sheet of plastic on or in the same primary mold (24) for the initial shaping step, for the foaming step, for the curing step and for the final trimming step. The primary mold (24) shuttles back and forth in a given direction for sequential cooperation with two secondary molds (75 and 31 or 48 and 31) arranged for reciprocation in a direction extending perpendicularly to said given direction. Preferably, two primary mold members (66, 67) are arranged for horizontal back and forth shuttling in unison so that each primary mold member may cooperate with two out of three vertically reciprocable secondary molds. The efficiency is substantially doubled when each of two primary mold members (66, 67) cooperates with two out of three secondary molds.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing three-dimensional work pieces, such as interior automobile components, includes several cooperating stations arranged in such a way that a hingeable mold member connected to a hinging frame may cooperate with another mold member or with other tools such as trimming tools, curing tools, cleaning and waxing tools and the like. The hinging frame is engageable by hinging bolts of the same construction located in different work stations. The hingeable mold member is transportable, for example on an endless conveyor, when it is disengaged from the hinging bolts. The number of work pieces produced per unit of time is increased by the cooperation of a forming or shaping station with a trimming station, with a foaming station and several curing stations for the foamed material in a shaped work piece.

Abstract: A force is applied to a tool, such as a strip steel knife, a counter-holder or the like, through a linear pneumatic drive including a pressure expandable hose closed at its ends which expands in a given direction. The hose, a reaction plate and a force output plate extend in parallel to each other and through at least one modular reaction bail form a modular drive unit. Force transmission lever means extending at an angle to said given direction are operatively interposed between the force output plate and the tool for applying the force in a plane extending at an angle or in parallel to said given direction, whereby the compactness and versatility of a cutting apparatus employing such modular drive units is enhanced.

Abstract: A three-dimensional work piece, such as an interior part for a car, is manufactured by keeping the blank, such as a sheet of plastic on or in the same primary mold 24 for the initial shaping step, for the foaming step, for the curing step and for the final trimming step. The primary mold 24 shuttles back and forth in a given direction for sequential cooperation with two secondary molds 75 and 31 or 48 and 31 arranged for reciprocation in a direction extending perpendicularly to said given direction. Preferably, two primary mold members 66, 67 are arranged for horizontal back and forth shuttling in unison so that each primary mold member may cooperate with two out of three vertically reciprocable secondary molds. The efficiency is substantially doubled when each of two primary mold members 66, 67 cooperates with two out of three secondary molds.

Abstract: A force may be applied to any point along a line which may be straight or curved in a plane or in space. For this purpose a force applicator is used which includes a pressure expandable hose section closed at its ends, a reaction member against which the hose rests, and a pressure transmitting plate moving in response to an expansion of the hose. These three elements are held in an operative position relative to one another by a modular frame section which also holds a guide member and a reset element for restoring the hose section to a starting position when no pressure is applied inside the hose. A piston rod extends through the guide member and is operatively connected to the pressure transmitting plate. The modular frame section, the guide member and preferably also the reset element form a modular unit.

Abstract: The present apparatus applies force along a line or to a surface through one or more linear or rather longitudinal, elastically expandable or deformable members. The expansion of the elongated member, such as an elastic, reinforced hose or membrane, is transmitted to the tool proper, for example, a strip steel knife or a clamping device, along the entire length of the tool, whereby a linear force application is achieved. Several of such members may be arranged in parallel to obtain substantially a surface area force application. The force application member may also be curved for applying the force, such as a cutting force to an equally curved tool such as a strip steel knife. The force application member is returned to its starting position after a work stroke is completed. The work stroke is performed by expanding the member with the aid of a medium under pressure. The return is accomplished by a spring force or by a similar expansion member.

Abstract: Three-dimensional work pieces, such as instrument panels or dashboards, are made of initially flat stock or of synthetic material such as a two-component foamable material. The tools of the present apparatus include upper and lower holding tools which are preferably simultaneously shaping tools, and cutting or trimming tools. The upper tools and the cutting or trimming tools may have a common support which is preferably exchangeably secured in a main frame. The shaping tools are moved into a first cooperating position relative to each other, whereby the work piece is formed into the desired shape. The shaping tools may then be locked in the shaping position or they may be moved into a second cooperating position to be rigidly locked in the second position. A tool support such as a table carried by a scissors lift frame is used for moving the shaping tools into the desired positions. The cutting or trimming is then performed by applying pressure to the respective tools.

Abstract: Precision male and female dies with the respective tool for manufacturing folding box blanks, are produced by photographic reproduction processes. The contour and the fold lines of a particular box blank are first drawn as an original on a light transparent film. This original forms a standard blank or standard film which is then used to produce an image of the punching knife location and of the positions of the embossing line projections on the male die. The same original is also used to produce an image of the respective groove configurations in the female die. The punching knives are then inserted into a support plate in accordance with these images. Similarly the grooves and embossing lines are produced in accordance with the respective images.

Abstract: The present apparatus is constructed for separating previously punched out workpieces from the surrounding waste material, for example, punched-out carton shapes. Preferably, the workpieces are arranged in a stack supported on a worktable. Power driven break-out tool means are located for up and down movement, as well as for lateral back and forth movement above the worktable. If desired, power driven push out means are arranged below the worktable with a push rail extending through a respective channel in the worktable. The break-out tool means and the push rail are arranged to be effective on a stack of workpieces on opposite sides and at opposite ends. The break-out tool and/or the push rail apply a levering action to the workpieces to break any lands or bridges which prior to such levering action connect the workpiece proper to the surrounding waste material.

Abstract: This cutting apparatus includes a frame structure supporting a cutting roller and a counter pressure roller arranged at an angle relative to the feed advance direction of sheet material to be cut. Drive means are provided for the cutting roller and for the counter pressure roller in the form of a common drive chain positively interconnecting the rollers with a drive motor through an instantaneously operable clutch, such as an electro-magnetic or pneumatic clutch. A brake is provided between the cutting roller and the frame structure, whereby the control of the clutch and of the brake is such that engagement of the positive drive through the clutch disengages the brake and vice-versa.