Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product to allocate processor resources to a plurality of logical partitions in a computing device including a plurality of processors, each processor having at least one general purpose processing element and a plurality of synergistic processing elements. General purpose processing element resources and synergistic processing element resources are separately allocated to each logical partition. The synergistic processing element resources to each logical partition are allocated such that each synergistic processing element is assigned to a logical partition exclusively. At least one virtual processor is allocated for each logical partition. The at least one virtual processor may be allocated virtual general purpose processing element resources and virtual synergistic processing element resources that correspond to the general purpose processing element resources and synergistic processing element resources allocated to the logical partition.

Abstract: A platen drive system and method of leveling platens in a forming station of a twin sheet thermoforming machine in which each platen is driven vertically by four independently operated drive units, each having an electric servo motor, the drive units arranged in two sub sets disposed on opposite sides of an associated platen. The platen is leveled during set up by individual operation of the servo motors.

Abstract: A platen drive system and method of leveling platens in a forming station of a twin sheet thermoforming machine in which each platen is driven vertically by four independently operated drive units, each having an electric servo motor, the drive units arranged in two sub sets disposed on opposite sides of an associated platen. The platen is leveled during set up by individual operation of the servo motors.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product to allocate processor resources to a plurality of logical partitions in a computing device including a plurality of processors, each processor having at least one general purpose processing element and a plurality of synergistic processing elements. General purpose processing element resources and synergistic processing element resources are separately allocated to each logical partition. The synergistic processing element resources to each logical partition are allocated such that each synergistic processing element is assigned to a logical partition exclusively. At least one virtual processor is allocated for each logical partition. The at least one virtual processor may be allocated virtual general purpose processing element resources and virtual synergistic processing element resources that correspond to the general purpose processing element resources and synergistic processing element resources allocated to the logical partition.

Abstract: Preheated plastic sheets are squared and flattened to be engageable by clamping fingers of clamps on a clamping frame by an array of paddles having vertical and horizontal portions moved to engage any upturned or skewed sheet edges to flatten and square the same as said paddles are simultaneously moved longitudinally and vertically by respective actuators.

Abstract: A forming station for a thermoformer in which the lower platen is lowered and moved laterally on linear bearings on the machine frame after two sheets are formed in side by side mold-plug assist tool sets so as to align the respective molds and formed sheets. The formed sheets are squeezed together with flanges on the formed sheets thereby fused together by a draw mechanism including a series of hydraulic cylinders which are connected to coupled elements carried by the upper and lower platens so as create the squeezing movement when the cylinders are pressurized. A precision control is exercised over the operation of each of the cylinders using a position sensing device associated with each cylinder to insure equal movement of the output member of each cylinder. The lower platen vertical drive is activated in correspondence with the travel produced by the hydraulic cylinders to reduce the load on a brake holding the upper platen stationary.

Abstract: A twin sheet thermoformer apparatus and method in which an extruder continuously produces a sheet of hot plastic which is cut into cut sheets while the sheet is exiting the extruder, which are loaded in pairs into a series of transfer cars which are moved successively to an oven and then to a forming station. Sets of mold assemblies include pairs of molds with cavities which are faced upwardly to receive sheets lowered thereon and molded in the cavities and are then pivoted to face each other and moved together to fuse the molded sheets together to form a hollow part.