Abstract: A process for mechanically joining plies of thin metallic components lying on one another, and apparatus for its implementation, involves an impulse-wave conductor (9, 25, 31-35) having first and second substantially straight impulse-wave-conductor portions (19, 20, 32, 33) which are arranged at an angle to one another along which impulse waves are transmitted to a stamp (7) to be driven into a component to be joined by impulse force. The impulse waves are redirected between the first and second substantially straight impulse-wave-conductor portions by a structure of an intermediate angled portion (21, 31) located between, the first and second substantially straight impulse-wave-conductor portions.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for mechanically joining metal sheets, profiles and/or multi-sheet joints lying on top of each other, wherein joining tools are moved by power means towards the parts to be joined and a joint is made between the parts to be joined by the force effect of the joining tools. To make the joining tools easier to handle and widen the range of application for joints, it is proposed to reduce the reaction forces of the joining process by the fact that one joining tool applies the joining force to the joint at an exciting frequency which is above the characteristic frequency of the opposite joining tool, and the mounting of at least one joining tool is isolated from vibrations. The vibration isolation can also be arranged exclusively or in addition in the excited joining tool or the parts to be joined.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for mechanically joining metal sheets, profiles and/or multi-sheet joints lying on top of each other, wherein joining tools are moved by power means towards the parts to be joined and a joint is made between the parts to be joined by the force effect of the joining tools. To make the joining tools easier to handle and widen the range of application for joints, it is proposed to reduce the reaction forces of the joining process by the fact that one joining tool applies the joining force to the joint at an exciting frequency which is above the characteristic frequency of the opposite joining tool, and the mounting of at least one joining tool is isolated from vibrations. The vibration isolation can also be arranged exclusively or in addition in the excited joining tool or the parts to be joined.

Abstract: The described joint (1, 3, 2) consists of at least three joint parts preferably with different material composition and thus different thermal expansion coefficients .alpha.. For optimum compensation of the deformation differences acting predominantly radially, which result with a temperature change, it is proposed to provide between a first joint part--for example an optical lens (1)--and a second joint part--for example a lens mounting (2)--at least one further joint part as intermediate ring (3), the ring thickness-dimensioning thereof and the material selection thereof (thermal expansion coefficient .alpha..sub.R) being carried out in such a manner that the aforementioned deformation phenomena, which are material-specific and caused by temperature change, in the joint (1, 3, 2) compensate themselves in such a manner that a stress-free or low-stress mounting, for example of microoptics (1) for use in polarization-optical instruments, can be realized.

Abstract: A sintering device includes separable mould walls which together define a mould cavity and a mould core which is positioned within the cavity to define an undercut mould surface. The core includes a hollow frusto-pyramidal central support formed with guideways and a plurality of core segments mounted for slidable movement within the guideways whereby the core is radially expandable and contractable. The segments include a plurality of arc-surface segments alternating with trapezoidal segments. The mould walls and the core include passages for introducing steam and air into the cavity. The passages of the core place the hollow interior of the central support in communication with the mould cavity.

Abstract: A control process for foaming and fusing plastics in a foaming and fusing device, and a fusing device for carrying out the process, in which the control process works in cycles, each cycle consists of phases which are at least an injection phase, a heating phase, a fusion phase, a cooling phase and a mould release phase, such phases being started and completed depending on control criteria comprising a time period, a pressure or a temperature limit value for the conditions evolving in the device such control criteria belonging to a certain cycle comprising a control criteria set, and with each cycle quality values of predetermined characteristics determined by measurements taken from the respective plastic part or an agglomerate cake situated in the device, a new set of control criteria being generated for each new cycle from prior control criteria depending from the quality values measured with such prior cycle of the control process, wherein the quality values of each cycle are combined to a deviation which

Abstract: A method for foaming and sintering of foamable plastic employing a control method based on the detection of the softening time point during the sintering steam application in the sintering process step. The softening time point is detected by analysis of a change in the rising speed of the pressure or temperature, and the related pressure and temperature values are used for determining the maximum dismission temperature and pressure of the sintered product. The sintering time is determined in relation to the softening time point and the quality demanded. A feed back control to the prefoaming and drying process step is provided. A feed back control by means of a quality measurement at the sintered part to the sintering is provided. Incremental controls are provided for adaptive process optimization.

Abstract: A method of molding foaming plastics in consecutive process cycles. The method includes directing foaming plastics to molding means for molding and sintering. The molding means are appropriate to form different molded items. The molding means communicates via an installation means with a supplying means. The supplying means serves to supply under the control of a control means, steam for heating, cold water for cooling, vacuum for providing suction and compressed air as needed to the molding means. The molding means has at least one pressure sensor means and/or temperature sensor means. The pressure sensor means and/or the temperature sensor means are connected to the control means.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process and device for the production of moldings from foamed thermoplastic plastic, e.g., polystyrol, in a mold, the mold wall enclosing a mold cavity, into which a filling injector discharges, and which is surrounded by an agent chamber and in which there runs an agent channel which is formed by drillings which are sealed at their ends against the outside and the agent chest by means of seals, and are connected to the mold cavity through nozzles. The drillings of the agent channel preferably run in ribs of the mold wall. The agent chest and the agent channel are connected through time-overlapping-controlled valves to an agent supply and removal system for the heating, cooling, inflation, curing, ejection of the mold walls and the molding respectively. A fast cycle sequence is achieved with a small consumption of energy and a high molding quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filling device for introducing pre-foamed, post-expandable thermoplastics into molds for the production of moldings from plastic foams, especially from pre-foamed polystyrene foam, for example Styropor or Styrocell, in which the pre-foamed plastic is introduced in granular form into the mold by reason of a pressure difference existing between the stock container for the plastic granules and the mold and/or introduction of injected air. The filling device essentially consists of a cylindrical piston case with a lateral feed pipe for the plastic granules and a piston which is movable in the longitudinal direction within the cylindrical piston, for closing the mold inlet orifice after filling has taken place. The filling device according to the invention is characterized by a movable shut-off sleeve, which, by means of a spring, blocks the supply of granules when the piston has passed the feed pipe in the direction towards the mold.