Abstract: The disclosed method of making a glass body by a sol/gel process comprises electrochemically assisted release of the gel body from the mold in which the body was formed. More specifically, the method involves gelation of a sol in a mold that comprises a first conductor member, with a second conductor member also being in contact with the sol and/or gel, and causing the flow of a current between the first and second conductor members, with the first member being the cathode. In consequence of the current flow a substantially liquid lubricating layer that facilitates removal of the gel body from the melt exists at the cathode/gel interface.

Abstract: An extrusion die (1) with a calibrated exit orifice (6) for extruding extruded sections (3, 3', 3") of different profile cross-sections onto a glazing or glass plate (2) is provided with an obturating slide (22) movably positioned in front of the calibrate exit orifice (6) through which the die cross-section can be adjusted. The slide (22) is operated by a pneumatic jack (16).

Abstract: An average is obtained between output readings of a pressure sensor obtained when forward and reverse thrusts are applied to an injection screw by positively driving a servomotor for injection. The average value is used as a correction value for a reading deviation of the pressure sensor. The injection servomotor is positively driven to apply a thrust to the screw. This known thrust and the actual reading of the sensor are compared. A deviation between these values is used as the correction value for the reading deviation of the sensor.

Abstract: In the present invention, a preliminary extruding operation is carried out for each section of a movable die moving pattern DA corresponding to the configuration of an article, thereby determining a suitable back pressure at which a desired cross-sectional dimension is obtained. The movable die is secured to a position DA1 corresponding to a side section of the article, then screw revolutions are changed while extruding a molding material. Thus, determined as a suitable back pressure BPO for the side section is a specified value of the back pressures BP at which the molded product has the desired cross-sectional dimension. Likewise, a suitable back pressure for the upper section is also determined, so that a pattern of the suitable back pressures BPO is determined. In view of the time delay, timings of change in an initial setting pattern R1 for the screw revolutions are advanced for periods of times T.sub.11, T.sub.12, T.sub.13 and T.sub.14 from the timings of change in the pattern DA.

Abstract: A flange of a panel is inserted into an extrusion port of an extrusion molding die through an insertion slit which opens laterally of the extrusion port to thereby form between the extrusion port and the flange a molding space which corresponds to a trim member. A material for a trim member is extruded forwardly of the extrusion port through the molding space, and the die and the flange are moved relatively to each other while adjusting the amount of insertion of the flange into the extrusion port so that a distance between a reference position on the panel and the trim member is maintained at a constant distance. Thus, a trim member is extrusion molded on the edge of the flange of the panel and is mounted thereon simultaneously and yet accurately in a desired outer shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles including closures which includes providing coacting sets of tools including a first set for moving a core and core sleeve into engagement with a cavity mold on a second set of tooling. An actuator is provided between the first set of tooling and a fixed upper cam. The second set of tooling includes an associated actuator supporting the cavity mold and associated with a lower fixed cam. A nitrogen cylinder in the second set of tooling provides for control of the compression molding force. In a preferred form, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation on a rotating turret supported by a central column. A common manifold supplies the pressure at accurately controlled pressure to each of the nitrogen cylinders. A control system is provided for monitoring and changing the pressure.

Abstract: A method of producing thin-film products consisting of injecting the molten resin into a die, the internal cavity pressure is momentarily reduced when the internal cavity pressure reaches a prescribed pressure, and closing of the cavity is performed so that the final thickness of the molded product is achieved, and a thin-film molded product produced is produced by said method.

Abstract: An injection pressure monitoring method in which the correlations between a screw position, injection pressure, and cavity fill for an injection molding machine are monitored and displayed on a screen. The pressure for the position of a screw is graphically displayed on the screen, and a picture of a cavity is also displayed on the screen. By inputting the screw position, the pressure for the screw position is monitored, and at the same time, the resin filling state in the cavity corresponding to this screw position is displayed as an image.

Abstract: An injection compression molding method in which molten resin of a predetermined amount is injected into a mold cavity during or after a mold closing process. The molten resin is compressed by advancing a crosshead in a first direction to a predetermined stroke position to form a molded piece. Strain of the molded piece is relieved by moving the crosshead in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction, to a predetermined retracted position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for injection-molding a molten resin wherein any flaw such as warpage, shrinkage or the like does not occur in products having a small thickness when the desired product of injection molded resin is molded by injecting the molten resin into a cavity of an injection molding die. The molten resin is injected into the cavity under proper control with respect to injection speed and pressure, the pressure of the molten resin being temporarily set and reduced to a preset reference value when the cavity is filled with the molten resin, and subsequently, the pressure of the molten resin filled in the cavity is released.

Abstract: In an injection molding machine which comprises a mold composed of a fixed mold attached to a fixed platen and a movable mold attached to a movable platen, and a driving source for driving the movable platen to open and close the mold, a distance sensor detects, as a platen interval, a distance between two positions preliminarily selected on the fixed platen and the movable platen and produces a distance detection signal. A pressure sensor detects a clamping pressure applied by the driving source and produces a pressure detection signal. A control unit controls the driving source to adjust the platen interval and the clamping pressure through a plurality of steps in response to the distance detection signal and the pressure detection signal.

Abstract: A speed control unit devised for feedback-controlling the speed of actuator 2 (injection cylinder 2i) in response to the deviation of speed measurement Vd from command value Vc of speed, includes a pressure sensing device 3 to detect pressure measurement Pd at actuator 2, differentiation circuitry 4 to differentiate pressure measurement Pd from the pressure sensing device 3, a gain adjusting device to provide correction value Av through gain adjustment of differentiated value Dv from differentiation circuitry 4, and a correcting device 6 to correct command value Vc of speed according to correction value Av from the gain adjusting device 5, whereby in addition to ordinary feedback control to correct command value Vc of speed, following speed measurement Vd, command value Vc of speed is corrected in response to the fluctuations of load pressure, with stabilized, high accuracy of speed control made feasible which is assured freedom from being affected by the fluctuations of load pressure, and so forth.

Abstract: A process for producing and curing hydraulic material to reduce its hydrophilic characteristics and increase its strength. By preventing water loss and by adding water, efflorescence is controlled and the number of and size of voids created by water evaporation and hydration are reduced. Controlling the cure environment, humidity, temperature and pressure and using fluid barriers and water, control the physical and chemical composition formed during curing. The controls can be used before and/or after the initial set or shape formation of the hydraulic material.

Abstract: A molding machine having hand operated controls which are used for manually operating a plurality of movable members provided in the molding machine, is disclosed. The hand operated controls comprise: a display for showing molding information and/or an appearance of the molding machine; a plurality of first switches, such as touch switches, provided on the display, which correspond to the plurality of movable members, and are used for selecting the corresponding one of the plurality of movable members; and a second switch, such as a pair of push button switches, for operating a driving member to drive the movable member selected using one of the first switches.

Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure for simulating a desired tablet pressing situation, the tablet compound being placed in a pressing matrix in the device and the compound being compressed with the aid of punch members provided in the device on opposite sides of the matrix, in accordance with a preselected motion path, in the procedure being measured forces acting on at least one punch member of the tablet press during pressing and/or the motion path of the punch member; the results of measurment thus obtained being transferred to a computer controlling the operation of the trial tablet press, and a file being formed thereof; during such simulation the motion path of the punch members in the trial tablet press being controlled in accordance with the file formed of the results of measurement.

Abstract: A method of setting molding conditions for an injection molding machine 1 using a mold 2 whose specifications data are unclear included three setting processes. In the first setting process A, by inputting known data into controller 3, the molding conditions based on a data base prepared in advance and said input known data are set. In the second setting process B, injection molding is performed according to prescribed molding conditions pre-selected concerning injection pressure P, injection speed V and the injection start position of screw 4, and then, based on the product just molded, injection pressure P is altered, to set said altered injection pressure P, injection speed V and proper pre-feed measurement value Md as molding conditions. In the third setting process C, injection molding is performed according to molding conditions obtained from said second setting process B, and subsequently, taking into account the findings from the product just molded, said molding conditions are adjusted.

Abstract: Holding pressure-intended changeover speed Vh (provided, Vh.noteq.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for lens thickness adjustment in injection molding of thermoplastic vision-corrective spectacle lenses without manual addition or removal of shims, of inserts or of any other mold part. Thickness adjustment can be made quickly while the lens mold is kept at very hot operating temperatures, yet minimal risk of burning the operator. A rotatable adjustment head is mounted externally onto the mold's operator side, and manually-driven rotation turns a threaded screw which moves one wedge block of a slideably mated pair of opposing wedge blocks in a plane parallel to the parting line, thus moving the opposing wedge block axially forward or back perpendicular to the parting line, but always retaining proper alignment and loadbearing support of optical inserts, even in multicavity injection-compression molding. After many re-polishings of inserts, lens thickness specifications are still maintained without needing shims.

Abstract: A control system utilizing a programmable controller for an injection molding machine in which the controller is periodically scanned in response to input signals to produce output control signals is provided with an impulse response filter arrangement. The impulse response filter senses a plurality of current and past sensor input signals to accurately predict the occurrence of a variable triggering event which will in fact be sensed by a sensor. A predictive sensor signal is then generated which is inputted to the controller in advance of the occurrence of the triggering event and at a time which corresponds to the processor scan time so that the controller generates the desired output at the precise time the triggering event occurs thus eliminating controller response latency from the control system.

Abstract: The injection molding of an elongated thin-walled tubular product such as a medical catheter is accomplished through the mounting of an elongated core pin on the interior of an elongated mold cavity wherein tension is continuously applied to the core pin for the purpose of maintaining it in a predetermined, substantially centered relation to the mold cavity and further maintaining a straight line configuration of the core pin along its length. The plastic material from which the product is formed is introduced into the mold cavity while at the same time overcoming any imbalance in the flow of the plastic melt into the mold cavity and as it travels in surrounding relation to the core pin and along its length by adjusting the position of the core pin relative to the inner surface of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a building block by molding under pressure a mixture of a hydraulic binder such as plaster, an inert filler such as sand, and water, by passing a mold (50) through various stations, including a station (A) for filling the mold with a measured quantity of the mixture (56), a station (B) for installing a mold top plate (38), a station (C) for compressing the mixture in the mold, a station (D) for keeping the top and bottom plates (38, 40) in place in the mold, a station (E) for withdrawing the top plate (38), and an unmolding station (F).

Abstract: Multiaxis rotational molding apparatus includes a support portion, a molding portion, a mixing portion and a control portion. The support portion includes an arm member disposed in a generally horizontal orientation and having one end extending from an upstanding supporting section. The molding portion includes a mold supporting assembly pivotally connected to a free end of the arm member and an independently rotatable mold connector section. The mold supporting assembly includes a central passage therethrough from a pivotal connection with the arm member and through the mold connector section. A mold assembly includes at least two separable mold sections forming a substantially enclosed cavity. The mixing portion includes an elongated section extending axially within the central passage through the mold supporting assembly adjacent the mold connector section. The mixing section includes a plurality of deflector sections disposed along the length thereof.

Abstract: In an injection and compression molding process wherein molten material is fed by a screw, incorporating a counterflow preventing valve (CPV), through a flow control valve (FCV) into a mold cavity, the injection volume is controlled by:with the FCV closed, feeding a predetermined quantity of material through the CPV into a chamber between the CPV and the FCV,then advancing the screw with the FCV maintained closed to cause the CPV to close, thereby raising the pressure of the material in the chamber,determining when the pressure of the material in the chamber reaches a predetermined pressure,determining whether the movable die is at a predetermined distance from the stationary die,opening the FCV after the pressure of the material in the chamber has reached said predetermined pressure and the movable die is at the predetermined distance from the stationary die,setting as an original point of a determination of the injection volume either (a) a position of the screw at the opening of the FCV or (b) a time at th

Abstract: An insulator composition of foamed synthetic resin is supplied to an extruder 3, and the synthetic resin is extruded onto a wire 4a continuously supplied to the extruder 3 at a temperature higher than or equal to a foaming temperature, to cover the wire 4a with the insulator composition. Then, the wire 4a covered with the insulator composition is solidified by cooling in a water-cooling trough 6 movable towards and away from the extruder 3 in a direction of supply of the wire 4a. In this operation, an outer diameter D and a capacitance C of the insulator composition are controlled such that when the water-cooling trough 6 reaches its movable limit, either a deviation .DELTA.D of a detection value of the outer diameter D from its target preset value or a deviation .DELTA.C of a detection value of the capacitance C from its target preset value is selected as a deviation (.DELTA.D or .DELTA.

Abstract: A control system utilizing a programmable controller for an injection molding machine in which the controller is periodically scanned in response to input signals to produce output control signals is provided with an impulse response filter arrangement. The impulse response filter senses a plurality of current and past sensor input signals to accurately predict the occurrence of a variable triggering event which will in fact be sensed by a sensor. A predictive sensor signal is then generated which is inputted to the controller in advance of the occurrence of the triggering event and at a time which corresponds to the processor scan time so that the controller generates the desired output at the precise time the triggering event occurs thus eliminating controller response latency from the control system.

Abstract: A tire cure control system and method characterized by a computer-based data acquisition and process control unit that uses non-invasive, direct cure measurements to adjust the length of cure so that all cured articles such as tires will be cured to the same extent in the minimum amount of time, thereby to maximize production while providing uniformly cured products. The unit generally includes at least one microwave probe, although preferably multiple microwave probes, placed in the mold and a processor to process probe data and to initiate a control action principally initiating a mold opening sequence at the optimal time. Initiation of the mold opening sequence at least in part is based upon a measurement of the time rate of change of the attenuation of microwave energy caused by the curing rubber compound in the mold.

Abstract: In a hydraulic device a variable capacity pump adapted to record a differential pressure via a control valve is actuated in such a way that a constant operational pressure gradient is maintained. Since the variable capacity pump is driven by a rotary current motor, which is connected to a current source by a frequency converter and is regulable with regard to its speed, it is possible to control hydraulic consumers in an energy-saving manner at a reasonable price.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding an elongated cylindrical object includes an elongated cylindrical mold. First and second closure plates are positioned within the mold and an elongated tube is suspended between the closure plates within the mold. A sliding piston is mounted over the elongated tube. Molten plastic is introduced into the mold between the piston and one of the closure plates so as to cause the piston to slide along the tube within the mold toward the opposite closure plate. When the mold is filled, the piston engages the opposite closure plate, and further introduction of molten plastic is stopped. This process produces an elongated plastic body having the tube embedded therein.

Abstract: A monitoring system provides a method of operating a compression plastic molding apparatus which entails substantially continuously monitoring the position of an upper compression cam of the apparatus, against which a rotatably movable mold assembly reacts during operation of the apparatus. By monitoring the position of the compression cam, the system is able to detect excessive loading of the apparatus, such as attendant to depositing of excessive plastic material in the mold assembly. A force determining device, illustrated in the form of a fluid pressure (pneumatic) cylinder, is operatively connected with the compression cam, with the system operating to release pressure in the cylinder in the event that the compression cam is moved in a manner which indicates excessive loading of the plastic mold assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in the context of a rotating conveying screw situated within a cylindrical housing which has an inlet port on one end of the cylinder and a discharge opening on the other end of the cylinder. A resistance plate is mounted transversely to the conveying screw near the discharge opening for corotation with the screw. The plate is mounted to define a discharge gap between the opening and the plate. A sleeve on the housing is employed to adjust the size of the gap between the plate and the opening. A process controller positions the sleeve by means of a pair of screw jacks. The controller adjusts the discharge gap width to maintain feed material temperature within a predetermined band. Alternatively the controller adjusts the discharge gap width and feed screw speed to maintain a predetermined specific energy input into the feed material. The helical screw is preferably supported at both ends by a bearing means.

Abstract: An apparatus for approximating the mold cavity pressure during injection of a liquid material by measuring the pressure exerted by the liquid against the ejector assembly. The ejector assembly includes an ejector sleeve and a support. A load sensor is positioned between the load and support to measure the pressure. Preferably, a force translation fixture is positioned between the ejector sleeve and the sensor. In a first alternative embodiment, the sensor is omitted and a strain gauges are mounted on the fixture to measure the elastic deformation of the fixture and approximate mold cavity pressure. In a second alternative embodiment, the strain gauges are mounted on a reduced diameter portion of the tubular wall of the ejector sleeve. In a third alternative embodiment, the base of the ejector sleeve is separated into two lobes connected to one another by two bending beams. Strain gauges mounted on the lobes and bending beams measure the elastic deformation of the flange to approximate pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for extruding and cooling a polymeric sheet incorporating an extruder connected to feed polymer through a rigid conduit and to and through a sheet die, and a roll stack including a plurality of cooling rolls having nips arranged adjacent the sheet die to continuously receive and cool polymeric sheet emanating from said die. Polymeric sheet feed control apparatus for tilting the stack to arrange the roll nips at various angles between and including the vertical and the horizontal, a pair of spaced-apart swivels positioned between the extruder and the sheet die, one swivel being connected to permit independent swinging movement of the sheet die up and down, and another swivel being connected to permit independent tilting movement of the sheet die angularly up and down to relate the tilt of the sheet die to the tilt of the stack.

Abstract: An easily controllable method to adjust a die slot exit gap to produce an accurately controlled flow from the slot exit across the width of a die provides movable back seats at the back of the die that cause front and back portions of die plates to move simultaneously to produce a change in the die slot exit gap. At least one actuator is located between the front and back seats of the die to increase or reduce the actuator length to bend the first plate around the front seat thereby to increase or decrease the first exit gap.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of optical record disc substrates includes the steps of injecting a resin material into a plurality of disc-shaped cavities which are formed by closing a fixed mold half and a movable mold half; and cooling the injected resin material in the cavities. The cavities are grouped into a plurality of groups so that each group includes not less than one cavity, and each group is provided with a common actuation device so that each actuation device is independently operated.

Abstract: The roll gap control system for a calender having first and second rolls (18, 19) rolling a raw material (B) includes a load measuring unit (11) for detecting a rolling load change between the first and second rolls (18, 19), a roll shaft position adjusting device (41) for increasing/decreasing a roll gap and a controller (46) for computing a roll gap change (.DELTA.h) based on the rolling load change (.DELTA.P) and for activating the roll shaft position adjusting device (41) to compensate for the roll gap change (.DELTA.h). A spring constant (k) of first and second rolls (18, 19) and mechanical members (24, 25, 28) supporting these rolls of the calender is calculated, and the rolling load change (.DELTA.P) is divided by the spring constant (k). The quotient (.DELTA.P/k) is the roll gap change (.DELTA.h).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding closure liners wherein a set of tooling including a first assembly and second assembly which are movable toward and away from one another. The first assembly of tooling has a liner forming member and a closure engaging sleeve thereon and the second assembly has a closure supporting pad thereon. A cam is associated with the first assembly of tooling for moving the closure engaging sleeve into engagement with a closure and the liner forming member into position for compression molding a charge of plastic extrudate in the closure when it is supported on the closure supporting pad. A gas cylinder is associated with the closure supporting pad providing a predetermined controlled pressure that determines the compression molding force on the plastic. In a preferred mode, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation to one another on a turret.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing an integral skin polyurethane foam which comprises expanding a reacting mixture containing substantially no blowing agent in an evacuated mold cavity. Disclosed also herein is an apparatus for producing said an integral skin polyurethane foam which comprises a mold having a cavity and a vent hole, a vacuum chamber communicating with the cavity through the vent hole, a vacuum pump to evacuate the cavity through the vacuum chamber, and a sight glass attached to the vacuum chamber so as to make the vicinity of the vent hole visible from the outside of the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method for forming an extruded weather strip having a trim portion and a lip having a thickened end portion.

Abstract: An amount of resin necessary for lining an inner surface of a pipe is calculated. A lining pig is inserted in the pipe from an open end thereof, and the calculated amount of resin is supplied in the pipe from the open end subsequent to the insertion of the lining pig. A blocking pig is inserted in the pipe behind the resin, and a pressurized non-compressible liquid is supplied in the pipe subsequent to the insertion of the blocking pig thereby feeding the charged resin through the blocking pig until a front end of the resin reaches an inner end of the pipe. The resin is sucked together with the lining pig and the blocking pig so that the inner surface of the pipe is lined with the resin.

Abstract: A method for detecting mold plate information comprises, in a preferred embodiment, detecting external physical indicia (112) identify a mold plate. The external physical indicia (112) are preferably a pattern of holes or absence of holes formed in a corner protrusion (110), attached to the corner of a mold plate (104). The holes or absence thereof represent a binary sequence identifying the mold plate (104). Preferably, the holes are optically detected by detectors (204) mounted in the guide rail (202) of a mold press.

Abstract: A brick press for the production of formed bodies from free-flowing materials has a measuring and comparison device, in which pressing force and press path are detected from the beginning of the pressing process and are compared with a preset pressure curve, which represents the pressure/path setpoint value of the pressing process. Any deviations from the force/path setpoint value determined outside a range of tolerance of pressure curve are used as a signal for early ending of the pressing process. Reject formed bodies resulting in this case can be crushed effortlessly and again recycled in the initial material to be pressed without subsequent treatment. A process is also disclosed for the control and regulation of the pressing process.

Abstract: In the case of an injection-molding machine with mold-protecting device, every time the machine is started up a predetermined number N of injection-molding cycles are run at a greatly reduced machine speed in order to allow the mold-protecting device to be operated with increased sensitiveness during these cycles. If no trouble occurs during the said N cycles, the machine speed is increased to operating speed, either abruptly or continuously, and the mold-protecting device is either switched off or operated thereafter with adapted sensitivity.

Abstract: Molded articles having a constant quality can be obtained at all times irrespective of a fluctuation in resin properties (especially flowability). An output signal from an injection pressure sensor is sampled by a sampling circuit, and an injection-pressure waveform is obtained from injection-pressure data by means of a processing unit. If injection time fluctuates in the injection-pressure waveform, a constant-pressure injection process is judged to be in effect. If the maximum value of injection pressure fluctuates, then the process is judged to be a constant-speed injection process. The set temperature in a temperature setting unit is changed in dependence upon a fluctuation in injection time in the constant-pressure injection process and in dependence upon a fluctuation in the maximum value of injection pressure in the constant-speed injection process. The resin temperature is controlled by controlling heaters via temperature controllers.

Abstract: A curing press for tires or other curable articles, has a fluid inlet line for supplying curing fluid into an inflatable elastomeric bladder mounted within the press cavity for curing a green tire or article in the cavity. The spent curing fluid is removed from the bladder after a curing operation by a pump through an exhaust line. A venturi ejector in the exhaust line causes a vacuum to be created within the bladder as the fluid is being removed during an unload cycle. A vacuum sensor is connected to the exhaust line and if a predetermined vacuum strength is not reached within a predetermined time, which indicates that leak exists, appropriate control circuitry is actuated to prevent loading of the next green tire or article into the press. The invention also incorporates the method for detecting a leak by measuring the strength of the vacuum created upon removal of the spent curing fluid after each curing cycle.

Abstract: An injection compression molding method for compact discs or the like, includes the step of changing the clamping pressure or compression pressure, after the internal cavity pressure in the mold after injection has reached its peak, stepwise or continuously as the cooling proceeds, thereby making the applied pressure per unit area with respect to the effective pressure range constant. In a compact disc formed by this method, the residual stress after cooling is uniform, so that its optical properties are improved substantially.

Abstract: A gas control unit for a gas-assisted injection molding system, wherein a quantity of gas is introduced into a mold cavity in combination with a quantity of plastic material during the molding process. The gas control unit operates on the basis of regulating the mass of gas within the system, as opposed to the final hold pressure. Because the mass of the gas is constant within the gas control unit throughout an injection cycle, a preferred initial-to-final (hold) pressure ratio can be determined through mathematical computations for a particular molding system. As a result, once the required mass of gas has been isolated from a suitable source, releasing the gas to the mold cavity results in a predictable pressure. This capability permits the gas control unit to determine whether the gas has fully expanded and, therefore, whether the gas has properly filled the mold cavity so as to produce a properly molded article.

Abstract: An installation is provided which has a press-through surface containing openings (13) and pressure elements (14) for pressing goods through the openings (13). According to the invention, the size of the openings (13) is variable in the installation. Preferably, this is effected in that opposite edges of the openings (13) are movable with respect to one another counter to the action of restoring elements (19). In this context the size of the openings (13) can be determined by the pressure exerted by the pressure elements (14). Preferably the press-through surface (12) is made up of segments (17), which delimit the openings (13).

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling molding conditions of resin in the manufacture of articles such as optical lenses, which includes the steps of filling resin in a metal mold held at a temperature lower than a glass transition temperature of the resin, and then pressurizing the resin under comparatively high pressure so as to expedite hardening of the resin by raising its glass transition temperature, then reducing the pressurization of the resin to comparatively low pressure, and increasing, generally in association, the temperature of the mold cavity surface higher than the glass transition temperature of the resin so as to form a molten layer on a front face of the resin surface, and finally raising the pressurization of the resin to a medium pressure and lowering, generally in association, the cavity surface temperature of the metal mold so as to reduce the temperature for the withdrawal of the product.

Abstract: In prior art processes of this kind the actual thickness of the extrudate is measured, compared with a reference thickness and the setting regions of an extrusion plant are controlled dependent upon the degree of difference. In order nevertheless to improve the quality of the extrudate in relation to the desired reference thickness, according to the invention the evolution strategy process is used. An increase in the convergence rate can also be attained by taking into account strategy parameters which can be deterministically or stochastically changed, whereby mixing including fixedly settable strategy parameters is also possible. In particular, knowledge of the process can be involved as qualitative process partial knowledge.

Abstract: A method of deciding the quality of a SMC workpiece (34) in compression-molding the SMC workpiece (34) on a compression-molding press which compression-molds the SMC workpiece (34) in a cavity (13) formed between a pair of molds (11, 12) by moving at least one of the pair of molds by hydraulic cylinder actuators (4, 7) includes detecting the hydraulic pressure P.sub.O of the working fluid supplied to the hydraulic cylinder actuators (4, 7) upon the arrival of the moving mold (11) at a predetermined position; comparing the detected hydraulic pressure P.sub.O with a predetermined optimum hydraulic pressure P.sub.N to determine the deviation .DELTA.P.sub.O =P.sub.N -P.sub.O ; deciding the quality of the SMC workpiece (34) on the basis of the deviation .DELTA.P.sub.