Abstract: The invention relates to a crack-split moulding tool for producing a foam particle part, having two mould halves (2, 3). The mould halves (2, 3) are pivotably mounted relative to one another such that they can be arranged at a varying distance from each other in certain sections when being filled with foam particles and when pressing together, are moved together at a varying distance until in a closed position, due to a pivoting movement. As a result, it is possible to homogeneously compress areas of the moulding cavity (6) having a different thickness and to compress in a different manner, area having the same thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the production of a particle foam part, wherein a mould cavity (5) is filled with foam particles, the foam particles are welded into a particle foam part and the particle foam part is cooled down in the mould. The foam particles are heated by means of a ceramic body (17) with integrated resistance heating and by the application of electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced method for the manufacture of a plastic component (135), in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, the method comprising: opening a mold (100) by a predetermined amount into a loading position, wherein the mold comprises at least two mold parts (110, 112) and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold, loading a material comprising expanded particles (130) into the loading volume, closing the mold into a closed position, wherein during closing of the mold the mold parts are moved together over different distances (140) in different areas of the mold, compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold and fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced method for the manufacture of a plastic component (135), in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, the method comprising: opening a mold (100) by a predetermined amount into a loading position, wherein the mold comprises at least two mold parts (110, 112) and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold, loading a material comprising expanded particles (130) into the loading volume, closing the mold into a closed position, wherein during closing of the mold the mold parts are moved together over different distances (140) in different areas of the mold, compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold and fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for producing particle foam part in which foam particles are heated in a molding tool so that they weld to the particle foam part. Heat is supplied to the foam particles by means of electromagnetic RF radiation. The foam particles are made of polyurethane (PU), polylactate (PLA), polyethylene block amide (PEBA) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a step of a process carried out by a machine. The invention is characterized in that a sensor is used to measure a variable characteristic with an exponential course for a step, and with the aid of several consecutive measurements of the characteristic variable a time constant of the exponential change is determined, and the step is ended after it has been carried out for a period of time corresponding to a predetermined multiple of the time constant.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the production of a particle foam part, wherein a mould cavity (5) is filled with foam particles, the foam particles are welded into a particle foam part and the particle foam part is cooled down in the mould. The foam particles are heated by means of a ceramic body (17) with integrated resistance heating and by the application of electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for producing particle foam part in which foam particles are heated in a molding tool so that they weld to the particle foam part. Heat is supplied to the foam particles by means of electromagnetic RF radiation. The foam particles are made of polyurethane (PU), polylactate (PLA), polyethylene block amide (PEBA) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the production of a foam particle part. The method comprises the following steps: feeding of foam particles from a material container to a mould by means of a pipe thermoplastic welding of the foam particles in the mould to make a foam particle part with the input of heat, wherein steam is added to the foam particles to be fed.

Abstract: A sole mold for manufacturing a sole from a plurality of particles includes at least one first opening for supplying the particles, and at least two second openings for supplying a gaseous and/or liquid medium to bond and/or fuse the particles together. At least a portion of the sole mold is manufactured by an additive manufacturing method.

Abstract: Described are methods for the manufacture of a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, a plastic component manufactured with such a method, for example a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe, and a shoe with such a sole. According to an aspect of the invention, a method for the manufacture of a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, is provided which includes loading a mold with a first material which includes particles of an expanded material, and, during loading the mold, pre-heating the particles by supplying energy, wherein the energy is supplied in the form of at least one electromagnetic field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crack-split moulding tool for producing a foam particle part, having two mould halves (2, 3). The mould halves (2, 3) are pivotably mounted relative to one another such that they can be arranged at a varying distance from each other in certain sections when being filled with foam particles and when pressing together, are moved together at a varying distance until in a closed position, due to a pivoting movement. As a result, it is possible to homogeneously compress areas of the moulding cavity (6) having a different thickness and to compress in a different manner, area having the same thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the manufacture of a particle foam component, said apparatus comprising a molding tool limiting a molding space, wherein, adjacent to the molding space, at least two capacitor plates are arranged which are connected to a radiation source for electromagnetic radiation, wherein the radiation source for electromagnetic radiation is designed for emitting electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the molding tool is formed of at least two molding halves, wherein at least one of the molding halves is made from an electrically conducting material and forms one of the capacitor plates.

Abstract: Described are methods for the manufacture of a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, a plastic component manufactured with such a method, for example a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe, and a shoe with such a sole. According to an aspect of the invention, a method for the manufacture of a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, is provided which includes loading a mold with a first material which includes particles of an expanded material, and, during loading the mold, pre-heating the particles by supplying energy, wherein the energy is supplied in the form of at least one electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A sole mold for manufacturing a sole from a plurality of particles includes at least one first opening for supplying the particles, and at least two second openings for supplying a gaseous and/or liquid medium to bond and/or fuse the particles together. At least a portion of the sole mold is manufactured by an additive manufacturing method.

Abstract: A sole mold for manufacturing a sole from a plurality of particles includes at least one first opening for supplying the particles, and at least two second openings for supplying a gaseous and/or liquid medium to bond and/or fuse the particles together. At least a portion of the sole mold is manufactured by an additive manufacturing method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the production of a particle foam part. The apparatus has a mold 2 with a mold cavity 3, a steam generator 12 to generate steam for feeding into the mold cavity for the thermoplastic welding into a particle foam part of foam particles present in the mold cavity 3, a feed pipe 10, 11 for the feeding of steam to the mold, wherein a controllable steam valve 13, 14 is provided in the feed pipe, and a pressure sensor 15, 16 is located in the area between the steam valve and the mold, in order to measure the pressure of the supplied steam. A control device 23 controls pressure over time according to to a predetermined profile, wherein the profile has a ramp, in order to increase pressure gradually within a predetermined period of time from an initial value to an end value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced method for the manufacture of a plastic component (135), in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, the method comprising: opening a mold (100) by a predetermined amount into a loading position, wherein the mold comprises at least two mold parts (110, 112) and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold, loading a material comprising expanded particles (130) into the loading volume, closing the mold into a closed position, wherein during closing of the mold the mold parts are moved together over different distances (140) in different areas of the mold, compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold and fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injector for filling a mold with plastic particles, with a front part (2) and a base part (3), wherein the front part (2) has a mold-side orifice (23) and a feed for compressed air (15) and a feed for plastic particles (11), and the base part (3) is attached axially in the direction of conveyance behind the front part (2) and has a piston-cylinder unit (30, 37, 38), wherein a closing piston (49) for closing the mold-side orifice (23) is axially movable through the front part (2), together with an apparatus and a method for the production of a particle form part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mold for a device for manufacturing particle foam articles. The mold delimits a mold cavity. The mold includes a mold chase and at least one mold plate movable relative to the mold chase. The mold chase is characterized in that it comprises front walls that are formed to be more rigid than the inner wall facing the mold cavity. According to another aspect of the invention, the mold plate comprises a reinforcing structure, which is formed independently of a hollow chamber structure of the mold plate, wherein vapor is conducted exclusively through the hollow chamber structure of the mold plate. Furthermore, fins of the hollow chamber structure can be arranged slanted, so that condensed water forming in the hollow chamber structure flows away from the inner wall of the mold plate. According to another aspect, a sealing element is provided, which surrounds the mold plate. The sealing element is formed as an inflatable tube.