Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling preforms with resin or slurry includes a tank for holding the slurry and an autoclave for holding the preforms. The tank and autoclave have a common vacuum system connected thereto, and the tank is disposed above the autoclave. This arrangement provides a compact casting system which utilizes a vacuum and gravity to transfer slurry from the tank to the preforms within the autoclave.

Abstract: A compact transport apparatus is provided for serially conveying a series of objects such as circuit boards through a zone of treatment such as for ultrasonic stripping of resist from the circuit boards. The apparatus is mounted to the treatment equipment and has receptacles for receiving the objects and holding them in closely spaced relationship during transport through the zone and an elevator for lifting the object from its receptacle after having crossed the zone and control mechanism for intermittently stopping and starting the transport. During the stopping, loading of an object into a receptacle can occur and the elevator operates to do the aforesaid lifting.