Abstract: A filtering device for filtering molten plastic material that employs a filtration mesh belt that enters and exits a chamber, engaging an outer surface of a hollow perforated cylinder inside of the chamber, without losing any molten plastic material during the replacement of the filtration mesh belt and without tearing even when operating at high pressures inside of the chamber.

Abstract: Devices and systems for product transfer, such as a dissolvable microcarriers, are described. In one example, the product delivery device may include an inlet port; a conical section that may include a wide end and a narrow end; an outlet port flush with the narrow end of the conical section and extending away from the conical section; and a securement feature configured to connect the wide end of the conical section to a container. In another example, a system for aseptic dry product delivery may include a container at least partially filled with the aseptic dry product; a product delivery device; a pressure source connected to an inlet port; and a receiving vessel where the aseptic dry product is collected.

Abstract: A clamping device (14) comprises a pressure receiving platen (24), a stationary platen (20), a movable platen (22), a toggle mechanism (28), and a drive device (37). A first position detector (38a) detects the operation amount of the movable platen (22) based on the position of a crosshead (26); a pressure detector (35) detects the actual clamping force of a mold (19); and a second position detector (43) detects the actual position of the movable platen (22). A control portion (50) has first correction means correcting the operation amount of the movable platen (22) at the time of a minute mold opening operation based on the actual clamping force and on the set clamping force, and second correction means correcting the operation amount of the movable platen (22) at the time of the minute mold opening operation based on the operation amount of the movable platen (22) and on the position of the movable platen (22).

Abstract: A toy system includes: a toy body including an interface; an extrusion tube including a sidewall that defines an open interior region, the sidewall extends from a first end to a second end, at least one of the first end and the second end is configured to attach to the interface, and the sidewall defines extrusion features that pass through the sidewall; and a plunger configured to move in the interior region and to force a moldable material in the interior region through the extrusion features to form an extruded moldable material.

Abstract: An extruder having an extruder crosshead, a die, and a die retaining assembly. The extruder crosshead has an annular major surface while the die has a first die surface facing and conformal to that major surface. The die also has a second die surface opposed to the first die surface. The die-retaining assembly is attached to the extruder crosshead, evenly and variably pressing the second die surface with controlled pressure such that the substantially opposing first die surface is pressed into the major surface of the extruder crosshead. The die-retaining also includes movable elements which abut the die in order to move the die. The die-retaining assembly can be used to evenly reduce the pressure exerted by over the second die surface so that the position adjustment elements can be used to more easily adjust the position of the die.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cured composite structure includes inserting a plurality of radius filler segments into a radius cavity extending along a length of an uncured composite base member to form an uncured structural assembly. The plurality of radius filler segments are placed in end-to-end arrangement within the radius cavity and each having opposing segment ends and being formed of a thermoplastic material. The method additionally includes heating the structural assembly at least to a base member cure temperature that causes the segment ends of end-to-end pairs of the plurality of radius filler segments to fuse together and form a continuous radius filler element that extends along the length of the composite base member. The method also includes allowing the structural assembly to cure to form a cured composite structure.

Abstract: A heat exchanger manifold configured to receive or discharge a first fluid includes a primary fluid channel and a plurality of secondary fluid channels. The primary fluid channel includes a fluid port and a first branched region distal to the fluid port. The plurality of secondary fluid channels are fluidly connected to the primary fluid channel at the first branched region. Each of the plurality of secondary fluid channels includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. Each of the plurality of secondary fluid channels extends radially from the first branched region at the first end and has an equal length from a center of the first branched region to the second end.

Abstract: An extruder includes an extruder barrel module, an extruder feeder module, a screw motor module, and an electronics module. The extruder barrel module includes an axially extending barrel in which an extruder barrel screw is removably receivable. The extruder feeder module is removably connectable to the extruder barrel module, and has an axially extending flow passage having a feedstock outlet end and a screw motor module mounting end. The screw motor module is removably connectable to the extruder feeder module, and has a motor drivingly connectable with a screw in the flow passage of the extruder feeder module. The electronics module is electrically connectable with the screw motor module and mechanically removably mounted as part of the extruder.

Abstract: An injection unit for a molding machine includes a plasticizing cylinder having at least two grooves, and a carrier part having a notch. The plasticizing cylinder is arranged in the notch. The at least two grooves are spaced apart axially from each other. At least two engaging elements are provided, which engage with the at least two grooves, in order to create a positive-locking connection between the plasticizing cylinder and the carrier part, through which an axial movement of the plasticizing cylinder relative to the carrier part is inhibited.

Abstract: A vehicle component, and a method and tool for forming the component are provided. First and second tools with first and second surfaces, respectively, are provided. The first tool is translated along a first axis towards the second tool such that the first and second surfaces cooperate to define a mold cavity configured to form an accessory mount feature with an aperture. The second surface is configured to form an integrated rib extending outwardly from an upper surface of the mount feature to a planar bearing surface surrounding the aperture with the planar bearing surface oriented at an acute angle relative to the upper surface. The first axis is substantially parallel to the upper surface.

Abstract: A band is capable of retaining a substrate saturated with a fragrance. A user dons the band around a portion of their body. The band incorporates a plurality of perforations enabling the fragrance emitting from the substrate to permeate an immediate area adjacent the band.

Abstract: In a fixing member 110 formed with an insertion hole 113 for inserting an elevation rod 111, a communication hole 114 communicating with the insertion hole 113 is formed to open at a side surface of the fixing member 110. A key member 112 is inserted into the communication hole 114 and engaged with a key groove 118 provided at the distal end of the elevation rod 111. By so doing, the elevation rod 111 and the fixing member 110 are coupled together.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping plastics material pre-forms into plastics material containers has a conveying device which conveys the plastics material pre-forms along a pre-set conveying path. The conveying device has a movable station carrier arranged at least indirectly on a stationary base carrier and on which a plurality of shaping stations are arranged. The shaping stations have blow molding devices which form cavities inside which the plastics material preforms are shaped to form plastics material containers. The blow molding devices are arranged on blow mold carriers. The apparatus has a changing device suitable for removing at least the blow molding devices from the blow mold carriers and/or arranging blow molding devices on the blow mold carriers. A changing device has a gripping device for gripping the blow molding device, wherein this gripping device is movable in at least two different directions and is pivotable about at least three different axes.

Abstract: Embodiments include a blow molding machine, a method for replacing a blow mold unit, and a mold unit including a blow mold including first and second blow cavity split molds and a plurality of raised bottom molds; first and second pressure receiving plates; first and second fixing plates to which the first and second blow cavity split molds and the first and second pressure receiving plates are respectively fixed; a third fixing plate interposed between the first and second fixing plates and to which the raised bottom molds are fixed at a first surface thereof; a pressure receiving rod hanging down from a second surface and including an engaged portion engageable with the engaging portion; and a placement portion fixed to at least one of the first and second fixing plates and placing the third fixing plate thereon when the first and second blow cavity split molds are closed.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping plastics material pre-forms into plastics material containers includes a conveying device which conveys the pre-forms along a pre-set path. The conveying device has a movable station carrier arranged at least indirectly on a stationary base carrier on which are arranged a plurality of shaping stations which have in each case blow moulding devices which have cavities, inside which the pre-forms are shaped. The apparatus has a changing device for removing the blow moulding devices from the blow mould carriers and/or for arranging blow moulding devices on the blow mould carriers. The changing device has a first control device for controlling a removing and/or an arranging movement of the blow moulding devices on the blow mould carriers, and a second control device for controlling a blow moulding procedure, wherein the first control device and the second control device preferably co-operate at least for a time.

Abstract: Systems (200) and methods for making different plastic products (202, 204) in a single melting process are provided. A method includes melting a plastic resin in a first extruder (104) to form a melt (106) and transferring at least a portion of the melt to a second extruder (114). Any portion of the melt (106) that is not transferred to the second extruder (114) is formed into a first plastic product (202). Additives (116) are blended with the melt in the second extruder to form a second melt (118), and a second plastic product (204) is formed from the second melt (118).

Abstract: A system for transforming plastic parisons to plastic containers with a transport device which transports the plastic parisons along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has a movable station support disposed at least indirectly on a stationary base support on which a plurality of transforming stations is disposed. The transforming stations each have blow mold devices which each form cavities within which the plastic parisons can be transformed into the plastic containers and these blow mold devices are each disposed on blow mold supports.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-colored hand tool grip includes a step of forming a grip, a step of forming a lid and a step of completing a finished product. In the step of forming a lid, replaceable submodules are employed to form the lid, able to lower cost of mold making. In the step of completing a finished product, after the grip and the lid are combined together and received in the mold cavity of a third mold set, raw material of a holding portion is poured into the mold cavity to form a different-colored holding portion. By so designing, the lid and the holding portion of different colors can be formed on the grip to let patterns presented more clearly, thus forming a multi-colored hand tool grip.

Abstract: A mold structure and the replacement method thereof. The mold structure has a lower molding plate, at least one lower die core, a plurality of lower supporters, a plurality of first positioning units, an upper molding plate, at least one upper die core, a plurality of upper supporters and a plurality of merging units. The upper die core and the lower die core are passed through by a plurality of fasteners, and fixed on the upper molding plate and the lower molding plate respectively. The upper supporters and the lower supporters are disposed around the upper die core and the lower die core respectively, and passed through by a plurality of fasteners to fix them on the upper molding plate and the lower molding plate respectively. A part of a first positioning unit protruding out of a lower supporter is inserted into a merging unit. The present invention provides an accurate way to fix die cores, improves procedures in conventional molding, further reduces process time and saves cost.

Abstract: A mold clamping apparatus includes a fixed platen, a mold clamping cylinder, a movable platen moved by the mold clamping cylinder toward the fixed platen, and a mold opening/closing actuator for moving the movable platen or the mold clamping cylinder. The mold clamping apparatus further includes a mold thickness adjustment cylinder provided between the mold clamping cylinder and the movable platen, the mold thickness adjustment cylinder being configured to generate an axial force larger than an axial force in an expanding direction of the mold opening/closing actuator and smaller than an axial force in a contracting direction of the mold clamping cylinder.

Abstract: An extrusion die with fastener tension adjustment assembly can be formed of a die body that includes a first die body portion and a second die body portion. The extrusion die can have a lip body connected to one of the die body portions using the plurality of fasteners. In one configuration, the fastener tension adjustment assembly has an elongated body operatively connected to each of said plurality of fasteners. The fastener tension adjustment assembly is movable towards and away from the lip body, thereby simultaneously adjusting an amount of force applied to each of said plurality of fasteners. Because the fastener tension adjustment assembly can simultaneously adjust the amount of force on each of the plurality of fasteners, it can eliminate time consuming fastener-by-fastener adjustments on the extrusion die.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping plastics material pre-forms into plastics material containers has a conveying device which conveys the plastics material pre-forms along a pre-set conveying path. The conveying device has a movable station carrier arranged at least indirectly on a stationary base carrier and on which a plurality of shaping stations are arranged. The shaping stations have blow molding devices which form cavities inside which the plastics material preforms are shaped to form plastics material containers. The blow molding devices are arranged on blow mold carriers. The apparatus has a changing device suitable for removing at least the blow molding devices from the blow mold carriers and/or arranging blow molding devices on the blow mold carriers. A changing device has a gripping device for gripping the blow molding device, wherein this gripping device is movable in at least two different directions and is pivotable about at least three different axes.

Abstract: A device for solid state joining of light metals like aluminum is described. The device utilizes the principle of continuous extrusion to add a string of filler metal into a groove separating the components to be joined, and shear deformation for surface oxide removal in the groove. The device comprises a rotating drive spindle (13) terminated in a drive spindle head (14). A groove with the shape of a circular arc constituting an extrusion chamber (16) is machined in the outer surface (15) of the drive spindle head (14), the extrusion chamber (16) being limited radially outwards by a stationary annular metal shoe (17) surrounding the drive spindle head (14), the extrusion chamber (16) being terminated by an integrated (fixed) or replaceable abutment member (18) for diverting aluminum from its circular movement in the extrusion chamber (16) through a die orifice (19).

Abstract: A film is formed by extruding a resin from a lip opening (3) of a multilayer extrusion die (1) in a state in which a rectifying jig (10) does not cover the lip opening (3) but covers a seal part (6) while being located adjacent to each end in a longer side direction of the lip opening (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing shaped consumable items from a fat mass, in particular a fat mass containing cocoa or a chocolate-like fat mass, comprising a housing (2) and at least one stamping plate (10) having at least one temperature-controllable stamp (13). The stamping plate (10) can be moved out of the housing (2) in order to clean or replace the stamping plate. The invention further relates to methods for cleaning and for replacing stamping plates (10) having at least one temperature-controlled stamp (13).

Abstract: The invention pertains to a pellet mill 2 for forming pelleted material, the pellet mill 2 comprising: A die 4 having a cylindrical inner surface 6 with a plurality of apertures 8 formed therein and extending to the outside of the die 4, the volume bounded by said inner cylindrical surface 6 defining a die chamber 10. At least two cylindrical rollers 12, 14, 16 adapted to travel over said inner cylindrical surface 6 of the die 4 in a rolling motion. Drive means for causing relative rotation of the die 4 and the rollers 12, 14, 16, so that the rollers 12, 14, 16 will travel over the inner cylindrical surface 6 of the die 4, thereby forming wedge-shaped spaces 18, 20, 22 between the rollers 12, 14, 16 and the inner cylindrical surface 6 of the die 4.

Abstract: A small sized injection molding machine by which a molded product can be produced with a desired level of precision with simple control. An injection molding machine with: a longitudinal injection cylinder to which stick-shaped molding materials are sequentially supplied in line from the upper side, the lower end of which is formed into a nozzle shape, and the lower side of which is constituted by a material having a good heat retaining property; a heater which heats the lower portion of the injection cylinder; and a pressing shaft which presses the stick-shaped molding materials downward. When the stick shaped-molding material located at the uppermost side is pressed by the pressing shaft, the molding material located at the lowermost side which has already been completely melted, is injected into a cavity, and the heat from the heater is transmitted to the die side through a nozzle touch portion.

Abstract: An adjustable platen assembly and method of assembly therefore. The platen assembly has a platen and a pressure plate attached to the platen. The pressure plate may be rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the rod according to the size of a mold half mounted to the platen. The platen assembly may have at least one platen support mounted to the platen. The at least one platen support may be rotatably mounted to the mold clamp. The at least one platen support can be rotated according to the size of a mold half mounted to the platen. The adjustable platen provides support to the mold half to reduce the amount of deformation to the mold half that is caused by the application of a closing force.

Abstract: A die and a method for impregnating fiber rovings (142) with a polymer resin (214) are disclosed. The die includes a manifold assembly (220), an impregnation zone, and a gate passage (270). The manifold assembly flows the resin (214) therethrough, and includes a plurality of branched runners (222). The impregnation zone is in fluid communication with the manifold assembly, and is configured to impregnate the roving with the resin. The gate passage (270) is between the manifold assembly and the impregnation zone (250), and flows the resin from the manifold assembly such that the resin coats the roving. The method includes flowing a polymer resin through a manifold assembly. The method further includes coating at least one fiber roving with the resin, and traversing the coated roving through an impregnation zone to impregnate the roving with the resin. The roving is under a tension of from about 5 Newtons to about 300 Newtons within the impregnation zone.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a base, a stationary platen fixed to the base for holding a first mold section, and a moving platen for holding a second mold section. The moving platen is slidably supported on a platen slide surface fixed to the base and moveable along a machine axis between a mold closed position, in which the moving platen is drawn towards the stationary platen, and a maximum daylight position, in which the moveable platen is spaced axially apart from the stationary platen by a platen opening. The machine further includes a carriage support structure slidably supporting a stack mold carriage for holding a mold center section. The stack mold carriage is translatable parallel to the machine axis between a carriage advanced position and a carriage retracted position spaced axially apart from the carriage advanced position by a carriage stroke length.

Abstract: A press for thermoforming a thermoformable sheet material for obtaining at least one thermomolded object, which has a support base; a pair of female molds supported for rotation around a rotation axis on the support base, diametrically opposite with respect to the rotation axis, drive means for the pair of female molds, comprising a rotary motion source designed to drive a power drive shaft and transmission means designed to transmit the motion from the power drive shaft to the pair of female molds, whereby between power drive shaft and female mold pair there is an angular displacement ratio of an angle greater than 360°, preferably 405°/180°, in order to make the female mold pair complete a sequence of 180° angular travels, thereby angularly and sequentially move each female mold into a molding position, and into a discharge position.

Abstract: An injection molding system includes a cavity assembly and a core assembly. The core assembly includes a core plate, a core skeleton secured to the core plate, and a removable core body insert defining a mold shape, secured to the core skeleton. The cavity assembly includes a core plate with a circular groove and a gate pad disposed in the groove, providing an entry point for liquefied resin material. The cavity assembly further includes a cavity insert disposed on the gate pad, forming an inner cavity for receiving liquefied resin material via the gate pad and for receiving the removable core body insert of the core assembly. The core assembly further includes a cavity skeleton with a circular opening for providing access to the inner cavity, disposed over the cavity insert and the gate pad, and secured to the cavity plate.

Abstract: A consumable assembly comprising a container portion configured to retain a supply of filament, a guide tube connected to the container portion, and a pump portion connected to the guide tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a molded product, which has a highly homogeneous thin film, at low cost by operating an injection molding machine and a film forming device at a high rate of operation is provided. A molded product formed by an injection molding machine is conveyed to a temporary stage by a first conveying device. The molded products corresponding to several times of an injection molding step are pooled on the temporary stage by the repetition of an injection molding step. A second conveying device collectively conveys all the molded products, which are pooled on the temporary stage, to a film forming device. Films are formed on the molded products by the film forming device, and the molded products are conveyed to the outside by a third conveying device. The injection molding step is continuously performed while a film forming step is performed.

Abstract: A multi stage auger system having a hopper with a first diameter opening tapering to a second smaller diameter opening, coupled to an auger tube at the second smaller diameter opening. An auger entry spiral with generally helical shape and a sweep arm coupled thereto, the spiral and the sweep arm skimming inside the product hopper to entrain the semi-solid materials from the hopper wall and, through the shape of the spiral, moving materials through the hopper from the first opening towards the second smaller opening. During this entrainment and movement by the spiral and sweep arm a space is left between the spiral and the sweep arm to remove air and voids from the semi-solid material through the movement. The auger has a first coarse pitch providing further removal of air/void spaces and a second finer pitch providing further movement under higher pressures near an exit of the auger.

Abstract: A toggle clamping mechanism for an injection molding machine includes a toggle link, a crosshead connected to the toggle link, and a driving device for driving the crosshead. A ball spline shaft is provided parallel to a ball screw for driving the crosshead. Further, a ball spline nut provided in the crosshead is engaged with the ball spline shaft so that the crosshead may be guided by the ball spline shaft.

Abstract: A distribution manifold having a manifold and a removable cartridge with a plurality of needle tubes extending from the removable cartridge is disclosed. The distribution manifold can be used with a pre-metered coating system to apply coating material to a substrate.

Abstract: When extrusion molding is conducted continuously for a long period of time, in order to prevent a die drool from being generated at an outlet of an extruder, to a shell 2 in which an outlet 3, through which a melt-kneaded resin material is extruded by an extruder, is formed, a plate-like shell tip 6 in which an opening 7 which is arranged such that it surrounds the outlet 3 along the circumference thereof is detachably attached, and non-sticky coating is applied at least along the outer surface of the core tip.

Abstract: A gas assisted co-extrusion apparatus includes a co-extrusion die in communication with an extruder. A nozzle that is defined by a bore in the co-extrusion die extends about a nozzle axis to a nozzle exit of the co-extrusion die. An injector extends through the bore of the co-extrusion die along the nozzle axis. The injector and nozzle together form a dough into a rope that is tubular with a wall portion and an inner cavity surrounded by the wall portion as the dough is extruded out of the nozzle exit and about the injector. A compressed gas source provides a compressed gas out of an injector outlet and into the inner cavity of the rope to radially stretch the wall portion of the rope as the rope is dispersed from the injector. The co-extrusion die is spaced from the extruder to define a void therebetween. A delivery system delivers an entrainable material to the compressed gas in a pipe. The pipe is connected to an injector inlet of the injector in the void.

Abstract: A head tool changer for use with a deposition-based digital manufacturing system, the head tool changer comprising a tooling unit configured to retain a deposition head, a grip unit configured to engage with tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit, and a master unit operably mounted to a gantry and configured to engage with the tooling unit and to relay electrical power to the tooling unit.

Abstract: A pair of mold cores (51, 52) for molding an undercut portion (P1) in a holder (30) installed inside a movable mold (13) are connected to and supported by a retaining piece (40) which is moved in the demolding direction, and at the time of demolding, the respective mold cores (51, 52) are guided by guide means (33, 34) from the molding position, where they are contacted with each other, to the mold release position, where they are separated from each other, being moved from one end side to the other end side of the retaining piece (40), in the mutually opposite directions so as to pass each other in the back and forth direction.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for a machine having multiple stems which axially reciprocate with respect to a stationary unit by linkage with a reciprocating common plate. The locking apparatus includes: (a) a first locking assembly capable of alternatively locking and unlocking one of the stems to the common plate; and (b) a second locking assembly capable of alternatively locking and unlocking one of the stems to the stationary unit. The second locking mechanism is configured so that, when the first locking assembly locks a stem to the common plate, the second locking mechanism automatically unlocks that stem from the stationary unit, and when the first locking assembly is unlocked from the common plate, the second locking mechanism automatically locks that stem to the stationary unit.

Abstract: A mold core includes first and second main bodies and an adjustment assembly. The first main body includes a front surface, a rear surface opposite to the front surface, and a receiving cavity passing through the front and rear surfaces. The front surface defines two first cavities at opposite sides of the receiving cavity. A connection line of centers of the first cavities intersects with a symmetry axis of the first cavities to form a first intersection point. The second main body includes a forming surface defining second cavities. A connection line of centers of the molding cavities intersects with a symmetry axis of the second cavities to form a second intersection point. The forming surface is coplanar with the front surface. The adjustment assembly abuts the first and the second main bodies to compensate an offset between the first and second intersection points to satisfy a predetermined range.

Abstract: A three-side adjustable scraper of an extrusion device includes a scraper body arranged on the body of an extrusion device. One side of the scraper body has a knife edge which is attached to the wheel surface of an extrusion wheel of the extrusion device, and the scraper body is adjustably provided with a left side scraper seat and a right side scraper seat. A left side scraper and a right side scraper are respectively arranged on the left side scraper seat and the right side scraper seat, and the knife edges of the left side scraper and the right side scraper are respectively attached to the two sides of the extrusion wheel of the extrusion device. The left side scraper and the right side scraper are additionally arranged, so that materials adhered on the two sides of the extrusion wheel can be scraped off by the scraper.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum foaming containers for refrigeration of foodstuffs, in which a polyurethane mixture is injected into hollow walls of a container closed under vacuum condition within a foaming cell. The apparatus includes a main frame for supporting the foaming cell, and an auxiliary frame movable between a lowered opening position and raised closing position of the foaming cell. The foaming cell includes a pallet for supporting a container to be foamed, side shore panels, transversal shore panels, and an internal shore plug member supported by the main frame. The side panels are hingedly connected to slides transversally movable with respect to the auxiliary frame for enabling their distance to be adjusted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a melt processable semicrystalline fluoropolymer comprising: (a) about 0.001 to about 25 weight percent of repeating units arising from a hydrocarbon monomer having a functional group and a polymerizable carbon-carbon double bond, wherein said functional group is at least one selected from the group consisting of amine, amide, hydroxyl, phosphonate, sulfonate, nitrile, boronate and epoxidehydrocarbon monomer; and (b) the remaining weight percent of repeating units arising from tetrafluoroethylene. This melt processable semicrystalline fluoropolymer is impermeable to fuels and is useful as a lining for petroleum fuel tubing, as well as chemical resistance coating for, or adhesive between, perfluoropolymer and other polymers, metals and inorganics.

Abstract: A system for kneading and extruding a material includes a crusher for crushing the material into coarse particles, an extruder for conveying and extruding the material crushed by the crusher, a gear pump for receiving and discharging the material extruded from the extruder, and a kneading and extruding apparatus for kneading the material discharged from the gear pump and continuously extruding the kneaded material. Therefore, a material is accurately quantified and highly uniform, resulting in reduced product variations and ensured consistent quality.

Abstract: The subject invention provides systems and methods for customizing the arrangement of a food tray. The system includes a demonstration unit having a boundary defining a desired shape for a food tray, and components representing a segment of a food tray. Each of the components may be adapted to be arrangeable within the boundary with a subset of the plurality of components as desired to form a food tray arrangement. The system further includes a modular mold adapted to receive a sub-mold inserts in configurable arrangements, and the sub-mold inserts. Each sub-mold insert may correspond to one of the selection of components, and may be adapted to be positioned within the modular mold in a plurality of arrangements. The method includes providing a demonstration unit having a boundary that defines a desired shape for a food tray, and providing components each representing a segment of a food tray.

Abstract: An adjustable platen assembly and method of assembly therefore. The platen assembly has a platen and a pressure plate attached to the platen. The pressure plate may be rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the rod according to the size of a mold half mounted to the platen. The platen assembly may have at least one platen support mounted to the platen. The at least one platen support may be rotatably mounted to the mold clamp. The at least one platen support can be rotated according to the size of a mold half mounted to the platen. The adjustable platen provides support to the mold half to reduce the amount of deformation to the mold half that is caused by the application of a closing force.

Abstract: A consumable assembly comprising a container portion configured to retain a supply of filament, a guide tube connected to the container portion, and a pump portion connected to the guide tube.