Abstract: A pallet transportation apparatus including a pallet support array supported on a pallet transportation chassis for reciprocal motion and comprising pallet supporters that receive and support pallets. A mast assembly is fixed to the chassis and includes guides that support and guide the pallet support array through a reciprocal lifting and lowering motion, causing the pallet support array to lift and lower pallets. A prime mover moves the pallet support array through its reciprocal lifting and lowering motion, and a motion control system schedules the reciprocal lifting and lowering motion of the pallet support array.

Abstract: Composite laminate parts are made using a gradient cured subset of fiber reinforced thermoset resin plies. A portion of the subset is cured to rigidity to thereby maintain the shape of a part layup, while other plies in the subset are actively cooled to prevent them from curing. Additional plies are laid up on the uncured plies of the subset to complete the layup. The completed layup is then fully cured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production system (1) for laying fiber tapes (2), said production system (1) comprising: a laying device (5) having at least two roll-out devices (9); an application device (6) having an application surface (32) for receiving the fiber tape (2), wherein the fiber tape (2) can be rolled out in strips onto the application surface (32); a manipulation device (7) for manipulating the fiber tape (2) applied to the application device (6), wherein the manipulation device (7) has a receiving surface (59) for receiving the fiber tape (2).

Abstract: A grill includes a lower platen assembly having a lower grilling surface and a pivotally attached upper platen assembly having an upper grilling surface. The upper platen assembly includes three motors encased in a shell. A cable attached to each motor suspends the upper grilling surface. The grill is automatically calibrated to ensure that the upper grilling surface is level. Each motor independently and sequentially raises the upper grilling surface from the lower grilling surface. When the upper grilling surface lifts from the lower grilling surface, the current in the motor changes. The settings of each motor at this instant are stored in a control to determine the calibration point when the upper grilling surface is level. The grill also automatically recognizes a food item placed on the lower grilling surface to determine the cooking parameters of the grill.

Abstract: Compression-resistant heating frame, comprising an upper plate and a lower plate which are secured to each other, and a heating layer interposed between the two plates. Force-absorption studs are disposed between the two plates in order to protect the heating layer against deformation by compression of the plates against each other. The studs are distributed to permit regular heating of each plate. The force-absorption studs are distributed at the nodes of a rectangular, hexagonal or centered square network. The force-absorption studs preferably include a flange to distribute the compression force on a metal base sheet which is interposed between the upper plate and the heating means. Thermal insulation material is interposed between the heating layer and the upper plate. The heating layer may comprise a film through which an electric circuit passes in order to produce heating by joule effect.

Abstract: An ice-carving machine comprises a framework, an ice block positioning system, at least one feeding system, and at least one heating mold. The ice block positioning system is fixed on the workbench of the framework for positioning the ice block to be processed. The feeding system drives the heating mold to heat and press the ice block in a mold cavity with a predetermined shape. By the pressure and heat of the heating mold, the ice block is made into the shape identical to the shape of the mold cavity, thus simplifying the process of carving ice blocks, and also saving carving time and cost, being especially suitable for a mass production of ice sculptures.

Abstract: A press and a method to laminate board-shaped work pieces via pressure and heat is provided. The press includes an upper press table 1 having an upper press plate 7 and a lower press table 2 having a lower press plate 10, and the upper and/or the lower press plate can be heated. The press further includes a one or two-part encircling gasket 16, 17, arranged at the upper press table 1 or the upper press plate 7 and/or the lower press table 2 to form a vacuum pressure chamber when the press is closed, an actuator 4 to open and close the press, as well as a vacuum source connection to evacuate the vacuum chamber formed by the seal 16, 17. According to the invention the lower press plate 10 can be raised in reference to the lower press table 2 and is arranged such that a work piece 6 located in the press initially does not contact the heated press plate 7, 10 when the vacuum pressure chamber is closed.

Abstract: A plate for hot pressing capable of keeping the degree of vacuum of its inside in the form of being separated from a deaeration apparatus, a hot press apparatus having press sections the alteration of the arrangement layout of which is easy, and a card manufacturing apparatus capable of manufacturing various kinds of cards by itself are provided. A plate for hot pressing (101) is provided with a check valve device (101h) for keeping a vacuum state inside a base material accommodating section (101c) formed between a pair of plate members (101a) and (101b), and respective press sections (103A)-(103C), (104A) and (104B) constituting lamination sections (103) and (104) are arranged in series respectively. Conveyance rails (108A) and (108B) for conveying the plate for hot pressing (101) are disposed doubly on an upper side and a lower side, and conveyance means (118A), (118B), (151A) and (151B) conveying the plate for hot pressing (101) cyclically are provided.

Abstract: A platen press, especially a multiplaten press has peripheral seals around the press platens to seal off the pressing gaps containing the wood material mats to be pressed on suction passages formed between the platens and communicating suction ducts at the upper or lower sides of the press, whereby fibers are evolved from the mats and are drawn off through these passages and conduits without significant dilution with ambient air or air serving to cool the platens for destruction by combustion.

Abstract: In a hot pressing apparatus, a hot-plate pressing cylinder is provided at the center of a moving plate, and a substantially central part of each of the materials to be laminated between hot plates, which are pressed by a fixed plate and a moving plate, is pressed by a hot-plate pressing cylinder of the moving plate. Thus, a uniform pressure can be applied to the materials to be laminated, thereby preventing the occurrence of defects such as wrinkles and bubbles in the products.

Abstract: In a hot pressing apparatus, a hot-plate pressing cylinder is provided at the center of a moving plate, and a substantially central part of each of the materials to be laminated between hot plates, which are pressed by a fixed plate and a moving plate, is pressed by a hot-plate pressing cylinder of the moving plate. Thus, a uniform pressure can be applied to the materials to be laminated, thereby preventing the occurrence of defects such as wrinkles and bubbles in the products.

Abstract: A distribution platen, for use in a fiberboard press, having a molding cavity and including a steam injection conduit providing fluid communication into the molding cavity from a remote supply of steam. The distribution platen further includes steam venting conduit which provides fluid communication from the molding cavity to a remote location. The press platen allows for the continuous flow of steam into the molding cavity through the dedicated steam injection conduit, and the continuous flow of steam and moisture from the molding cavity through the dedicated venting conduits.

Abstract: A vacuum dryer panel for a leather drying machine wherein a dryer panel comprising a porous screen is mounted over a perforated plate on the underside of a vacuum chamber positioned above a heated drying table on which leather skins are dried. The dryer panel comprises a layer of fine mesh screen preferably formed of a synthetic resin material mounted on a porous backing preferably formed of a synthetic resin material. The backing material is adapted to be mounted adjacent an outer side of the perforated plate and provides porosity between the screen and adjacent openings of the perforated plate. The backing material is sufficiently rigid to prevent the screen material from being pulled into openings in the perforated plate by a negative pressure on the upper side of the plate, so as to prevent marks in the dried leather. The edges of the dryer panel are folded over and incorporate reinforcing strips. Threaded fasteners fit through spaced openings in the edges for mounting the dryer panel to a vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A BGA mould assembly which can facilitate high degree of control over the clamping force on BGA substrates of varying thickness. An Independent drive is provided for each of the dual in-line cavity bars which clamp the BGA substrates. The drive mechanism is a wedge press which includes a servo motor, and a linear-conversion mechanism coupled to the servo motor to convert the rotation motion of the motor to a linear movement. An input wedge is coupled to the linear-conversion mechanism such that the input wedge moves correspondingly with the linear movement of the linear conversion mechanism. An output wedge is coupled to the cavity bar and positioned such that a horizontal movement by the input wedge causes the output wedge to move downwards. A roller cage is provided at the top and bottom of the input wedge to reduce friction.

Abstract: A continuous, multiple-stage process for thermally treating the surface of friction linings by pressing them against heated units and cooled units. The total length of the transport and pressing phases of each stage taken together corresponds to the continuous production cycle of the linings. The scorching press for carrying out the process is made of modules, so that heated and cooled units may be easily exchanged for each other. A heat insulation reduces energy tosses and keeps constant the surface temperature of the heated units.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a frameless high pressure press. The high pressure press includes first and second opposed plates that are at least partially surrounded by a wrapping structure. A lift device is positioned on one of the first and second plates at a location offset from the wrapping structure. The press also includes a linkage structure that transfers force generated by the lift device to the wrapping structure such that the wrapping structure forces the plates together. The linkage structure includes a tensioning member connected to the wrapping structure and generally transversely aligned with respect to the plates. The linkage structure also includes a cross member that extends between the lift device and the tensioning mechanism. The length of the tensioning member can be adjusted to control the level of force multiplication generated by the press.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable hinge apparatus and spacer means for use with a low temperature grill having multiple stacked heating plates and at least one support rod extending across one side of the grill to form a common pivot axis. The hinge apparatus includes an array of adjustable floating hinges formed to be positioned adjacent one another pivotally supported on the support rod. Each hinge includes a hinge block having a slide aperture therethrough sized and shaped for receiving a support arm member extending therethrough in the vertical plane and being slidably supported therein at a selected position in order to support the plates at a selected height. The support blocks also include a pivot aperture therethrough positioned substantially normal to the support arm aperture being sized and shaped for receiving the horizontal support rod therethrough. The support arm members of adjacent hinge blocks are formed with offset bends for attachment with consecutively stacked heating plates.

Abstract: A multiple opening panel press is described with a plurality of movable platens which are individually controlled to adjust the spacing between adjacent platens to a predetermined panel width. Position-sensor transducers are employed to produce control signals corresponding to the platen positions which operate control cylinders by associated valves to adjust the platen spacing. The transducers are preferably sonic waveguides which interact with permanent magnets fixed to the movable platens to generate platen position signals which are applied to an automatic control system which includes a computer that produces the control signals.

Abstract: A fluted or honeycombed profile on the rear side of the pressing stock or rolling side of the heating/press platens, which profile enables an increased flexible, two-dimensional deformation, in a longitudinally and transversely controlled manner, in just a few seconds in the on-line control process while providing larger support spacings. The fluted profile along the whole of the pressing zone advantageously increases the elastic bending deformability in the transverse direction, while, as a result of the honeycombed profile, an increased flexibility longitudinally to the pressing zone is attained. As a result of the fluted profile longitudinally to the pressing zone, the two-dimensional, spherical flexibility of the press/heating platen is substantially increased, so that use is preferably made of this fluted profiling.