Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a rare earth magnet is disclosed. In a first step, a compact is produced by compacting rare earth alloy powder in a predetermined space in an orienting magnetic field. Next, a demagnetizing process is performed for the compact, and the compact is ejected from the predetermined space. Then, a additional demagnetizing process is performed for magnetic powder adhering to a surface of the compact by applying an magnetic field to the compact after the compact is ejected.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.

Abstract: A manufacture for melting wax shoulders from candles is a receptacle having a top, bottom and sides. Connected to the receptacle are a spout and at least one handle. The top of the receptacle has a recessed area having walls and a central conical area, which has a central hole and at least one hole lateral thereto. Also disclosed is a method of melting a shoulder off the top of a candle, which has the steps of providing a candle with excess wax in the form of shoulders, providing a conical surface with at least one hole to drain wax, heating the conical surface to a temperature sufficient to melt the candle; and placing the top of the candle in contact with the heated conical surface until at least a portion of the shoulders have melted.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a three-dimensional object having the steps forming the object (3) in a container (1, 200) arranged within a process chamber (100) on a carrier (4) which can be displaced in the container by sequential selective solidification of layers of a pulverulent material (11) which can be solidified by the action of electromagnetic or particle radiation at positions corresponding to the cross-section of the object in the particular layer, characterised by the step of controlled removal of non-solidified pulverulent material (11) after completing the object (3).

Abstract: In a resin encapsulation system, one or more middle molds remain free without being mechanically connected with an upper mold and a lower mold. The middle mold is circulated, by a middle-mold conveying mechanism, among a molding press, a middle-mold preheating unit, a middle-mold cleaning unit, and an ejecting pressing unit adapted to separate an encapsulated object, a runner, and a gate from the middle mold. Resin encapsulation molding is performed in the circulating process described above.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprises first and second metal molds (100a, 100b) to form a cavity; a pair of plungers (102, 103) provided in cylinder holes (102a, 103b) of the second metal mold (100b); a pressure supplying unit for pushing the plungers (102, 103) under a pressure lower than the injection pressure applied to the plunger (101) to form debris cavities (DC1, DC2) which absorb an excess resin, thereby reducing the height of a projection produced on the enclosing resin layer.

Abstract: A processing mold is suitable for preparing a tire support. One processing mold that is particularly advantageous includes a processing mold having a first mold body opposing a second mold body, and the first and second mold bodies are aligned through a mandrel. In one embodiment, a first mold body includes a locking member suitable for locking the mandrel to the first body. In this embodiment, the mandrel is movable between the first and second mold bodies such that when a processing mold is opened, the first mold body and the mandrel can separate from the second mold body. A method of using a processing mold by aligning a first mold body and a second mold body through a mandrel and a method of releasing a tire support from a processing mold by locking a mandrel to a first mold body and separating the first and second mold bodies are also particularly advantageous.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molding system as well as a method for encapsulating semiconductor packages, wherein a cavity plate is kept at a desired temperature during molding. The system includes a mold comprising a first mold piece and a second mold piece adapted to define a mold cavity for enclosing one or more semiconductor devices for molding, and a cavity plate adapted for mounting in the cavity to introduce encapsulation material to the semiconductor device(s). The system also includes retaining means adapted selectively to hold the cavity plate against the first mold piece or the second mold piece whereby to maintain the cavity plate at the desired temperature.

Abstract: A tablet press machine (100) comprises: a hopper (1) for feeding a powder or granular product (2) to a first disc (3a) that rotates about an axis (X) and is equipped with evenly distributed holes or dies (3); a second and third disc (4, 6) that are positioned above and below the first disc (3a), respectively, rotate about the axis (X) and support respective pluralities of upper and lower reciprocating punches (5, 7). The punches (5, 7) are driven towards and away from each other when they are aligned with the dies (3) in such a way as to compress the product (2). Each of the punches (5, 7) comprises a cylindrical shank (8), one end of which is equipped with a working head (10) and sealed protection means (11) acting on the cylindrical shank (8) itself.

Abstract: A centrifugal casting apparatus has a workpiece withdrawal mechanism, a cleaning mechanism, and a facing material applying mechanism which are disposed parallel to each other on an axial side of a centrifugal casting mold, a unit drive mechanism for moving the workpiece withdrawal mechanism, the cleaning mechanism, and the facing material applying mechanism in unison with each other in the direction indicated by the arrow B across the axial direction indicated by the arrow A, and a pouring mechanism disposed in an opposite axial side of the centrifugal casting mold.

Abstract: Within a process for recycling of PET-material and/or objects of PET, the PET-material to be processed is heated and dried in the course of a pre-treatment step and simultaneously is crystallized at elevated temperature. This pre-treatment step is followed by a main-treatment step under vacuum. In this main-treatment step, the processed material is again dried and crystallized at a temperature that is higher than the temperature of the pre-treatment step. Preferably, also in the main-treatment step no plasticizing of the material takes place; the plasticizing or, respectively, melting of the material takes place only after the main-processing step.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a mold die set includes a pair of brushes, a pair of vacuum holes, and multiple nozzles. One of the brushes is positioned to scrub a first surface of the mold die set, and the other of the brushes is positioned to scrub a second surface of the mold die set to separate a residue from the first and second surfaces of the mold die set. The vacuum holes receives the separated residue from the first and second surfaces of the mold die set, and through the nozzles, a parting compound is provided to coat the first and second surfaces of the mold die set. The apparatus further includes multiple air holes through which air is blown to the first and second surfaces of the mold die set. An apparatus for semiconductor manufacturing includes a mold die set having a first surface and a second surface and a mold die set cleaner that can remove a residue from the first and second surfaces of the mold die set and coat a parting compound on the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides mandrels for producing elastomeric components such as mammary implants. Specifically, the invention provides mandrels that include a mold, a shaft attached to the mold, and a drip retainer attached to the shaft. The drip retainers disclosed herein are configured to catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) that run and/or drip off the mold and shaft, and to retain such fluids when the dipping mandrel is inverted. The invention also provides drip retainers that can catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) when attached to a dipping mandrel, and can retain the fluids upon inversion of the dipping mandrel.

Abstract: Solid rollers of a urethane material are formed in closed mold formed by a tube and two end plugs spaced by a shaft, the latter becoming the shaft for the roller. The closed mold avoids rough grinding to a cylindrical shape, as well as avoiding the resulting waste of material and introduction of defects that arise from rough grinding. The formation of bubbles during injection of the urethane material is avoided by filling the closed mold with carbon dioxide gas prior to injection. The formation of gate marks in the urethane material is avoided by repositioning the end caps after injection to separate the injection gate from the cylindrical cavity. The need to trim the ends of the roller is avoided by providing an annular cavity between the top end cap and the tube that receives excess urethane material to be drawn into the cylindrical cavity as the urethane shrinks during curing.

Abstract: A forming mold for a lens sheet is to be used for molding ionizing radiation curing type resin into the lens sheet by applying the resin in the form of liquid on the upper surface of the forming mold, placing a substrate on the resin and pressing the substrate and the resin against the forming mold from a pressing-starting side of the forming mold to a pressing-finishing side thereof by means of a pressing roller. The forming mold comprises a mold body and a receiving member. The receiving member receives a superfluous amount of the ionizing radiation curing type resin. The receiving member is provided on at least pressing-finishing side of a periphery of the mold body.

Abstract: A device for producing shaped bodies comprising at least one extrusion tool (1) for extruding an endless strip of material (15) and at least one form tool (2) used to process the material strip in order to form shaped bodies, especially capsules, in addition to a treatment station (3) which is used to impinge upon the material strip with heat. According to the invention, the material strip undergoes heat treatment at least once between the extrusion tool and the form tool in order to relieve stress.

Abstract: An injection mold is provided for injection molding an encapsulation material to encapsulate at least one integrated circuit chip. The injection mold includes at least two parts that define at least one injection circuit, and at least one blind complementary channel communicating with the injection circuit. The injection circuit includes at least one injection cavity for housing the chip, at least one transfer chamber from which the encapsulation material is injected, and at least one injection channel connecting the transfer chamber to the injection cavity. The blind complementary channel is formed between the two parts of the mold and forms at least one appendage of encapsulation material that is connected to the encapsulation material that fills the injection circuit. Also provided is a method for injection molding an encapsulation material to encapsulate at least one integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A mold for casting a cover for a golf ball is disclosed herein. The mold is composed of a first mold half and a second mold half. Each mold half has an internal hemispherical cavity and a plurality of recesses in flow communication with the internal hemispherical cavity. The recesses are preferably concave on one side of the parting line and convex on the opposing side of the parting line. Preferably, the mold assembly is utilized to mold a polyurethane cover on a golf ball precursor product.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer uses inkjet-type printheads to rapidly prototype, or print, a three-dimensional model. A powder feeder includes a conveyor system and a metering system to deliver powder to a build area in measured quantities. The powder feeder also includes a vacuum system for loading powder into a feed reservoir or chamber. The vacuum system can also be used to cleanup excess powder. Other powder control features include powder gutters and magnetic powder plows. During printing, a cleaning system operates to remove powder from the printheads. In the event of a printhead or jet failure, the failure can be detected and corrective measures taken automatically. After printing, the model can be depowdered and infiltrated in an enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved mold-half that is useful in forming golf ball covers or other layers. The mold-half is particularly useful for compression molding a thin polyurethane cover over a golf ball formed from a plurality of inner layers. The mold-half includes a cavity and a land area surrounding the cavity. The land area has an upper surface and at least one vent in fluid connection with the cavity via a chamber formed by a recessed circumferential ledge adjacent the cavity. The ledge controls the flow of excess layer material from the cavity to each vent.

Abstract: A system of manufacturing a molded article includes a mold having first and second parts engagable to one another to form a cavity. A first mold part is fixed to a mold station. The second part of the mold is movable between a spray station adjacent the mold station. An enclosure disposed between the mold station and the spray station contains emissions from the spray station so that the mold station is not contaminated. The molded article is fabricated by applying a surface coating at the spray station into, shuttling the movable part of the mold into alignment with the fixed part of the mold, and filling the mold with a settable mixture. The second part of the mold is released from the first part, and shuttled back to the spray station for demolding of the completed molded article.

Abstract: A ground color main extruder 9 which supplies a ground color resin that is to cover a strand conductor 3 is disposed. Plural stripe sub extruders 21 and 31 which supply a colored resin in a strip-like manner in a longitudinal direction of the strand conductor 3 simultaneously with extrusion of the ground color resin are disposed. Insert molds 16 and 17 are multiply disposed. While alternatingly switching over the stripe sub extruders 21 and 31 each time when a colored resin to be supplied is changed, a colored resin of a predetermined color is supplied through a path which is disposed for each of the stripe sub extruders 21 and 31.

Abstract: A method for inspecting the material distribution of a sequence of stretch blow molded containers or other articles in a continuous production process, by providing injection molded parisons, each parison having at least one indicator, typically two or more indicators, for detecting material distribution at a predetermined position along the axial extent of the parison. Each of the parisons is subjected to a heating stage in the continuous production process, generally by exposure to infrared heating. Each heated parison is then subjected to a blow molding process, which can be a stretch blow molding process, so that each material distribution indicator is transformed to a corresponding position along the axial extent of the blow molded article. A detector is positioned to detect the location of each indicator on each blow molded article from a given mold in the production process.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of molds for the production of contact lenses and other ophthalmic articles. By using an inorganic material to coat the optical surfaces and sidewalls of mold parts made from clear-resin materials, manufacturers can produce lens molds with greater dimensional stability and chemical resistance. In addition to protecting the clear resin from interaction with otherwise reactive monomers from which the molded article is made, such coatings can also be used to achieve preferential release of the molded article. The resulting mold is especially useful for providing an economical way to improve manufacturing quality of contact lenses.

Abstract: A process for activating polymer including preconditioning a diluent by heating it to a high temperature and then mixing the heated diluent with the polymer to form a blend having a high polymer content (e.g., about 5% polymer and 95% hot diluent). The blend is activated and then diluted by mixing it with a cold or cool diluent in order to provide an output stream of about 0.25-2% polymer having a relatively low temperature. The high temperature and high polymer content enables a continuous process, as distinguished from batch processes used heretofore which required substantial holding time in an aging tank. The reduction of the temperature of the blend by mixing it with cold or cool diluent prevents damage to heat-sensitive polymers.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding reclaimed plastic to an injection molding machine is disclosed. The apparatus for feeding reclaimed plastic to an injection molding machine, comprising a heating unit having both a plastic intake port to supply plastic articles to be reclaimed to the heating unit, and a melting furnace to heat and melt the plastic articles at a predetermined temperature to prepare soft reclaimed plastic, further comprising; a first feeding unit receiving the soft reclaimed plastic fed from the melting furnace of the heating unit; and a second feeding unit temporarily storing therein the soft reclaimed plastic fed from the first feeding unit, and controllably feeding the soft reclaimed plastic to the injection molding machine in accordance with a predetermined quantity of soft reclaimed plastic required by said molding machine.

Abstract: Plant for blow moulding hollow plastic bodies, comprising: a plurality of preform blow-moulding dies (1); at least an acoustic/electric transducer apparatus (2) adapted to detect the sound issued outwardly by the individual blow-moulding dies (1) during the blow-moulding process, and to convert it into an electric signal, means adapted to process said electric signal and convert it into a signal capable of being compared with a reference signal, means adapted to perform such a comparison of said processed electric signal with said reference signal or level, means adapted to selectively reject said hollow bodies off the production line in accordance with the outcome of said comparison. Said acoustic/electric transducer apparatuses (2) are at least partially housed inside the platen or frame that is common to several dies (1), and are arranged in the vicinity of respective blow-moulding cavities.

Abstract: A device for purging a high-output polymer extruder includes a purge valve for discharging a molten polymer from the extruder. A cutting device is arranged at the output of this purge valve so as to be able to cut a continuous stream of polymer at the output of the purge valve into blocks. A conveying device, preferably hydraulic, is arranged at the output of the cutting device, so as to transport the blocks in a flow of liquid and convey them away from the discharge zone of the purge valve. The hydraulic conveying device preferably includes a chute equipped with a liquid-injection device, and a channel equipped with a device for creating a strong flow of liquid in the channel.

Abstract: An automatic slug feeding device for delivering slugs to a compression mold for molding golf ball cores is characterized by synchronized rotary transfer, slug conveyance, gripping mechanism transfer and a tray conveyor for transferring slugs from an extruder to a mold loading robotic arm, and subsequently to a mold press. The rotary transfer device receives slugs from the extruder and the slug conveyor linearly conveys individual slugs from the transfer device. The gripping mechanism simultaneously removes a plurality of slugs from the conveyor and deposits them in an array of receptacles in a molding trays which are shuttled to an unload position, where the mold loading robotic arm transfers slugs into a mold press. Storage of extruded slugs prior to compression molding is thus eliminated, cycle time is reduced, core quality is improved, and operator safety is maximized.

Abstract: A mold for producing a fuel cell separator with which a flash, even if it occurs, does not cause a thickness unevenness. The mold includes a plurality of molds 2, 4 and 10, and a fuel cell molding cavity 5 for separator being defined among the molds. At least one of the molds is provided with a flash reservoir cavity 11 which is communicated with the cavity 5. An amount of material in excess of the volume of the cavity 5 is charged, and melted by the application of pressure and heat. The melted material fills up the entire cavity 5, with the excess thereof entering the cavity 11. Since the molds 2 and 10 maintain a direct contact with each other, it is possible to obtain a separator molded with a high accuracy.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing plastic hollow bodies has a blow-moulding station, a device for introducing thereinto a sequence of trains of preforms, an ejection station adapted to separate the ejected hollow bodies, and devices provided downstream of the ejection station to handle the hollow bodies, the devices including a conveyor belt capable of being driven by a pulley and provided with plugs adapted to pick up the hollow bodies. The pulley is provided on its outer surface with a plurality of ejectors that are arranged to sequentially engage and disengage the pick-up plugs so as to release the blow-moulded hollow bodies therefrom. Beneath said ejectors there is arranged a guide which is adapted to intercept the so released hollow bodies, and which is provided with two parallel rails adapted to retain the hollow bodies by their neck portion and push them, preferably with jets of blown air, towards their utilization apparatuses.

Abstract: An improved layer normalizing device for use in dimensionally normalizing layers of a three-dimensional model produced by a selective deposition modeling technique. The layer normalizing device employs a wicking member having a body and a normalizing surface for dimensionally normalizing the object while the object is being built layer by layer. The body includes a plurality of interstices, and when the wicking member is sufficiently heated to cause the build material to become flowable, excess material is drawn by capillary action from the layer of the object being normalized and into the wicking member. A refreshing means is provided to remove the excess build material from the interstices of the wicking member and allow the wicking member to draw additional build material by capillary action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding a reproducible uniform concrete test cylinder using a standard concrete test cylinder mold. Concrete is poured into the concrete test cylinder mold to a point where the poured concrete extends above a top portion of the concrete test cylinder mold. A cap having at least one radial trough and at least one excretion hole is placed on the top portion of the concrete test cylinder mold. The cap is manually pressed and rotated against the top portion of the concrete test cylinder mold thereby channeling excess concrete through the radial troughs for excretion through the excretion hole in the cap. In addition, the radial trough smoothes the surface of the poured concrete within the concrete test cylinder mold. Prior to the initial set of the concrete in the concrete test cylinder mold, the cap is rotated upon the top portion of the concrete test cylinder mold in order to separate the cap from the poured concrete within the concrete test cylinder mold.

Abstract: In a process for producing a polyurethane-foam product molded integrally with an insert, wherein a molded body, including a substrate and a polyurethane-foam molded body being molded integrally with the substrate, is produced, the substrate being disposed in an expansion-molding mold as the insert, a fine groove-shaped polyurethane-foam relief groove and a polyurethane-foam adjuster are formed in an end of the substrate and/or a mold surface of the expansion-molding mold which contacts with the substrate. The relief groove communicates with a cavity of the mold. The adjuster communicates with the relief groove, and has a volume larger than that of the relief groove. The relief groove and the adjuster can control the pressure exerted within the cavity. Polyurethane foam, which is formed by the relief groove and the adjuster, adheres to molded product. Therefore, it is possible to obviate the deflashing operation. An expansion-molding mold therefor is also disclosed.

Abstract: Thin and light molded parts released from a die are prevented from sticking by static electricity, by forming the recovery chute of molded part with wire gauze. A moving plate 14 is installed reciprocally movable on an installation plate 11 that can be received in a machine base recess 4 under the die opening area of a mold clamp apparatus 2. A plurality of recovery receptacles 16, 17 with upper opening are installed detachably on the top face of the moving plate 14. A switching plate 20 having a through hole 20a is installed slidably on the upper portion of the recovery receptacle 16, 17. A molded part introduction tube 23 of molded parts is installed on the top face of the switching plate superposing on the through hole 20a. A recovery cup 24 of rejected molded parts is juxtaposed to the introduction tube 23. A hopper shaped chute 5 of molded parts made of fine mesh wire gauze is installed on the introduction tube upper portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of molded parts having a front face and a back face made of a hardenable reaction material, whereby a casting mold consisting of several mold parts is formed, said casting mold having a configuration that remains substantially unchanged during a molding and hardening step and forming a cavity into which the reaction material is filled and hardened, whereupon the casting mold is opened and the molded part is removed from the casting mold. At least one casting mold part has a deformable surface and the cavity of the casting mold is filled with a predetermined amount of hardenable reaction material from a reservoir. The reaction material is hardened while the volume of the cavity of the casting mold is reduced by deformation of the deformable surface of the casting mold.

Abstract: A resin infusion mold tool system for use in a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process with a subsequent pressure bleed step. The mold tool system includes a mold assembly having an outer mold line tool connected to resin supply lines and supplying resin to the preform. A plurality of inner mold line tools form a hard interface with the inner mold line of the fiber preform and are held to within tight tolerances by an external locating fixture. Excess resin is drawn out of the fiber preform using a vacuum bag connected to vacuum lines and disposed over the inner mold line tools but not between the tools and the fiber preform. The mold assembly is placed in an autoclave, the resin supply lines are detached and the autoclave pressurized to bleed additional resin out of the preform to raise the fiber volume of the composite structure.

Abstract: A mold assembly for forming an ophthalmic lens article includes a first mold and a second mold. The first and second molds are assembled together to define a mold cavity therebetween having a profile corresponding to that of the ophthalmic lens article to be formed. The mold cavity is filled with a polymeric material which is polymerized to form the ophthalmic lens article. At least one of the first and second molds is a resin mold which is formed from a resin material, and a portion of at least a molding surface of the resin mold is directly irradiated with UV radiation so as to provide a UV-treated surface. The ophthalmic lens article formed in the mold cavity is held on the resin mold such that the ophthalmic lens article adheres to the UV-treated surface upon separating the first and second molds away from one another.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and rejecting defective blow molded containers is provided. The invention includes a sound detector system for sensing the sound level from a mold during the blowing process, and outputting a sound level signal. If the sound level signal exceeds a predetermined set point, thereby indicating a discontinuous container, a kick mechanism rejects the defective container. The kick mechanism is sequenced with the sound detector system. A proximity switch may be employed to indicate the mold being in position in front of the sound detector.

Abstract: The method of resin molding and a resin molding machine are capable of uniformly control amount of the resin for molding a work piece and pressure of the melted resin. A parting face of one of molding dies, which includes a pot and a cavity, is covered with release film. A work piece to be molded is set in the cavity. Resin is set in the pot. Parts of the release film, which enclose the work piece except a resin path, are clamped by the molding dies. Capacity of the cavity is reduced when the parts of the release film are clamped. The resin is sent from the pot to the cavity so as to mold the work piece in the cavity.

Abstract: A molded closure having an auxiliary thread for removal of an incomplete closure from a molding cavity, the molded closure including a helical auxiliary thread projecting inwardly from a cylindrical wall portion of the closure to provide engagement between the closure and the molding core, so that the closure may be threadably removed from the molding cavity by threadably disengaging the molding core from the molding cavity after an incomplete run of the fabrication process. A molding assembly with which the auxiliary thread may be formed in a molded closure is also provided.

Abstract: A patty forming machine includes a frame structure supporting a compartment which encloses a mechanical reciprocating device, the compartment having a front wall. A mold plate locate outside of the front wall includes cavities for receiving food product for the formation of patties. At least one drive rod having a circular cross-section penetrates the front wall and connects the mold plate to the reciprocating device. The machine also includes a vacuum bar assembly having a vacuum bar for interleaving flexible paper sheets with formed patties. The vacuum bar is driven by a reciprocating rod having a round cross-section and penetrating through the front wall of the housing to operatively connect the vacuum bar to the reciprocating device. The frame structure of the machine is underlied by a bottom skin which is spaced below a horizontal frame to provide an access gap for clear viewing and maintenance of a top of the bottom skin.

Abstract: This invention provides a mold for forming a contact lens comprising an overflow collector, which causes the overflow reactive mixture to be accumulated, and not to spread out as it would upon the typically flat surface of a prior art mold. This invention further provides a method of preventing the formation of contaminating pieces of overflow reactive mixture comprising the step of: preventing the overflow reactive mixture from spreading out on the mold.

Abstract: An improved layer normalizing device for use in dimensionally normalizing layers of a three-dimensional model produced by a selective deposition modeling technique. The layer normalizing device employs a wicking member having a body and a normalizing surface for dimensionally normalizing the object while the object is being built layer by layer. The body includes a plurality of interstices, and when the wicking member is sufficiently heated to cause the build material to become flowable, excess material is drawn by capillary action from the layer of the object being normalized and into the wicking member. A refreshing means is provided to remove the excess build material from the interstices of the wicking member and allow the wicking member to draw additional build material by capillary action.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a removing apparatus for removing unbonded powder material remaining around a three dimensional model which is a bonded structure of the powder material.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and rejecting defective blow molded containers is provided. The invention includes a sound detector system for sensing the sound level from a mold during the blowing process, and outputting a sound level signal. If the sound level signal exceeds a predetermined set point, thereby indicating a discontinuous container, a kick mechanism rejects the defective container. The kick mechanism is sequenced with the sound detector system. A proximity switch may be employed to indicate the mold being in position in front of the sound detector.

Abstract: A cast mould for use in the manufacture of a contact lens by the polymerisation of a flowable precursor comprises a female mould part and a male mould part. The female mould part has a concave first surface region adapted to receive the flowable precursor in use, and a second surface region. The male mould part has a convex first surface region and a second surface region. The male mould part is engageable with the female mould part to define a lens-forming recess between the concave and convex surface regions and to define a first overflow cavity between said second surface regions. The first overflow cavity is adapted to receive excess flowable precursor displaced from the lens-forming recess in use, and the first overflow cavity is provided with first retaining means such that, in use, after polymerisation, polymer in the first overflow cavity is mechanically interlocked with a single one of the mould parts after separation of the mould parts.

Abstract: Presented is a process to purge film extrusion systems with at least one extruder (A, B, C, D) for the purpose of changing batches, wherein the speed is changed periodically in at least that part of the extruder, wherein the material is changed.

Abstract: A forming mold for a lens sheet is to be used for molding ionizing radiation curing type resin into the lens sheet by applying the resin in the form of liquid on the upper surface of the forming mold, placing a substrate on the resin and pressing the substrate and the resin against the forming mold from a pressing-starting side of the forming mold to a pressing-finishing side thereof by means of a pressing roller. The forming mold comprises a mold body and a receiving member. The receiving member receives a superfluous amount of the ionizing radiation curing type resin. The receiving member is provided on at least pressing-finishing side of a periphery of the mold body.