Abstract: A unitary punch and die assembly for tooling a powder material compacting apparatus, or press, the assembly comprising a die plate mounted in the press table, which removably holds a die bushing clamped in position by a retainer collet provided with a peripheral thread and an internal thread. The retainer collet has an internal shoulder engaging a shoulder at the base of the die bushing, and a clamping ring threads on the internal thread of the collet for holding the die bushing in position within the collet. The peripheral thread of the collet engages the corresponding internal thread of a die spacer on which the die plate is mounted. By means of the retainer collet and the clamping ring, the die bushing surface may be adjusted flush with the surface of the die plate, without requiring grinding or lapping of the die bushing after assembly of the die bushing in the die plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mold for the production of dishes from powdered ceramic materials wherein two coaxial cylindrical dies are displaceable to generate with their end facing walls a cavity to be filled with the powdered ceramic materials, said cavity being peripherally completed by a displaceable die-box provided with a vertical conduit through which the ceramic material is fed into said cavity. An auxiliary die-box is provided sideways on said die-box, displaceable at least along one of said cylindrical dies, the lateral facing walls of said die-box and of said auxiliary die-box (16) being provided with annular grooves that in the closed condition of said lateral walls generate an annular cavity that may be registered in correspondence with said first-mentioned cavity of the mold, radially prolonging the latter and forming the peripheral border of the dish to be produced.

Abstract: A method for compacting powder material into an article comprising pouring the powder material in a die cavity formed above a lower punch disposed in the die cavity, retracting the lower punch to a small distance, introducing an upper punch into the die cavity, advancing the lower punch towards the upper punch and advancing the upper punch towards the lower punch at a rate greater than the advance of the lower punch, and extracting the compacted article from the die cavity by holding it between the upper and lower punch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compacting powder material into a prismatic or pyramidal article in a molding cavity formed by the end face of a lower punch reciprocable in a die bore, a portion of the die bore and the end faces of a pair of telescopic concentric punches being disposed above the die bore. The lower punch end face forms an end surface of the prismatic or pyramidal article, the die bore wall forms the peripheral surface of the article, and the upper telescopic punches form the other end surface of the article, one of the telescopic punches being disposed peripherally to the other punch and forming a sharp edge between the peripheral surface of the article and its other end surface.

Abstract: A frame comprising crossplates 8 and 13 coupled and spaced apart by coupling rods 10 (FIG. 2) faces, by the crossplates 8 and 13, opposite ends of aligned plunger pairs 7 and 16, there being a plurality of said pairs associated with respective openings, in which they are a close sliding fit, in a housing in which is a supply chamber 2 surmounted by a supply hopper 6. Reciprocation of the frame 8, 10, 13 causes movement of the plungers 7, 16 with there being a movement time lag between the plungers of the pair to provide, when within the supply chamber 2, a space between the confronting ends of said plungers 7, 16, for receiving material from the chamber 2 as an object 18 which can be ejected (e.g. by wire 21) when the said ends are outside the housing 1. This arrangement ensures consistency of shape of the product and of the location at which it engages from the device, facilitating subsequent treatment and/or handling thereof.

Abstract: A press is disclosed for use in the manufacture of refractory products and particularly including means for causing reciprocal movement of cores into the mold cavity to thereby permit holes to be formed in the compressed refractory product. The core moving apparatus is conveniently attachable and removable from the press to permit removal or replacement of the mold box or to facilitate modification of an existing press to incorporate the means of the invention for causing movement of reciprocal cores. The core supporting structures of the core moving apparatus are also adjustably supported so as to accommodate varied numbers of cores or various arrangements of the cores.

Abstract: A method for making a centrosymmetrical spider of a universal joint by extrusion molding involves pressing both end faces of a cylindrical blank the same distance towards the center of the blank to force the blank material radially outwards from the center of the cylindrical blank in a stream which is symmetrical relative to the two end faces and into a cavity of a split mold.Also disclosed is a molding apparatus for practicing the method. The apparatus includes a floating mold. One end of the apparatus can be rigidly fixed to a press for operating the punches which provide the extrusion pressure.

Abstract: A measuring system on a press for making pressings from powder material is designed for cutting out the effects of any stretching of the press frame produced by high pressing forces. A plate supporting one tool part is fixedly supported on a frame and, in relation to the plate, further tool parts may be moved. The measuring system is made up of first measuring elements fixed in relation to the moving tool parts, and second measuring elements, designed for use with the first measuring elements and fixed in relation to the press. The first measuring elements are fixed to the plate or a support on which this plate is itself supported.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding concrete block products is disclosed, in which a surface layer and a back layer are formed by supplying different concrete aggregates into a molding box, pressure and vibration are applied to the concrete aggregates in the molding box to mold a concrete block, the molding box is then turned upside-down for curing and the concrete block is ejected from a lower portion of the inverted molding box.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved powder press assembly of the withdrawal die type that is capable of subjecting the frame and die set to only compressive forces while accurately maintaining the dimensions of a compacted part. Mechanical stops are provided in upper and lower ram assemblies and cooperate with a multifunction push rod assembly to provide bilateral press position. The high and low pressure hydraulic system provides an economical use of the power requirements and further includes a bypass valve in a main pressure cylinder to accommodate rapid movement of the upper ram assembly.

Abstract: A movable piston having a hemispherical face carries a charge of food out of a fixed cylinder member into a coaxially aligned movable cylinder member and against a hemispherical face of a fixed piston member to form a spherical food ball. The movable piston and the movable cylinder member are then retracted to release the food ball.

Abstract: The materials to be sintered are placed in a deformable container which is in turn placed within a non-deformable treatment module equipped with heating means. The temperature of the container is increased under constant pressure until commencement of sintering. The temperature and pressure of the materials are increased simultaneously until sintering conditions are achieved, then maintained at a level stage for a predetermined period of time. The pressure is then reduced to the normal value while maintaining the temperature. The temperature is finally reduced to the room-temperature value.

Abstract: An apparatus for operation in the temperature range above 1000 degrees Centigrade and at pressures above 50 kilobars, for making industrial diamonds or the like, includes arrangements for more reliably maintaining uniform temperature while compressing the charge. The high pressure cavity includes the usual insulating cylindrical liner made of a salt, or other insulating material, to facilitate the application of electricity to heat the charge, and the liner stops short of the end of the cylindrical high pressure cavity to avoid deformation as the main piston moves into the end of the high pressure cavity. A ring or rings of zinc and/or lead and/or a zinc-lead alloy, may be located immediately adjacent the end of the insulating liner, and a thin layer of lead may extend across the main piston, to insure confinement within the cavity. Heating arrangements are provided to compensate for the cooling which occurs along and at the ends of the high pressure cavity to thereby achieve more uniform temperature.

Abstract: A press is provided of the type used in compressing refractory material at high pressures in the manufacture of bricks and the like. The press includes a bed, columns supported by the bed, and a mold table slidably supported on the columns, the mold table including a central aperture housing a removable mold. The press further includes at least one plunger extending upwardly into the mold cavity of the mold. The press also includes a pallet for supporting the plunger, the pallet being releasably attached by alignment pins to the press bed and being supported for slidable movement on the upper surface of the press bed by a plurality of inflatable air bags located between the upper surface of the press bed and the pallet, the air bags each including at least one aperture in the bottom wall of the air bag. Air can be forced into the air bags to cause inflation of the air bags and can escape through the aperture in the bottom wall to form a fluid cushion between the pallet and the upper surface of the press bed.

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus for use in molding refractory material and is useful, for example, in molding bricks and other similar products. The apparatus includes a mold table supported by a plurality of vertical columns, the mold table being supported for translational movement on the columns. The apparatus further includes a mold box supported by the mold table, the mold box including at least one vertical mold cavity having opposite open ends. The apparatus also includes a plunger assembly supported below the mold and including at least one plunger having an end received in the mold cavity. A plunger assembly is also supported above the mold and includes at least one plunger receivable in the mold cavity, the plungers of the opposed plunger assemblies being functional to compress refractory material placed in the mold.

Abstract: A piston type system for forming industrial diamonds is provided with a pressure vessel which includes a tungsten carbide member having a central opening which has a tapered mouth at one end, and which is lined with a salt bushing. A charge including invar and graphite to be converted to diamond is inserted within the pressure chamber inside the salt bushing. An end load plate has a central opening of substantially the same diameter as the opening in the salt bushing and has a tapered flange which fits into the tapered mouth in the tungsten carbide pressure vessel. A tungsten carbide piston which has a diameter about 0.003 inch less than the diameter of the opening in the end plate, and which has a lead gasket between its surface and that of the opening in the end plate, is forced through the end plate and applies high pressure at high temperatures to the charge, thereby converting the graphite to diamond after the passage of a suitable period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring and controlling the operation of a dual platen press used in the manufacture of nuclear fuel pellets is disclosed. The apparatus includes means for indicating the displacements of both platens and imposing the displacements of the platens on orthogonal axes such that the displacements jointly control the motion of a point which traces a lissajous figure representative of the displacement and relative velocity of the press platens. A second lissajous figure representing the desired platen movements and relative velocity may be superimposed on the first lissajous figure, differences between the first and second lissajous figures indicating deviations from the desired operation of the press. Alternately, a press operator may simply use the first lissajous figure constructed from the actual platen displacements to analyze the operation of the press. The completion of preselected portions of the first lissajous figure may be detected and used to trigger subsequent press operations.

Abstract: Products are molded in a mold assembled prior to molding from a lower punch and a mold case arranged in coaxial relationship, the mold being subjected, in the course of charging it with the material, to harmonic vibrations whereby the material undergoes precompaction, and the subsequent compaction of the material by the combined effect of a vertical vibratory shock load and a compressive load is aided by vibrating the mold case, the vertical vibratory shock load being applied to the material via the lower punch. The apparatus for molding products according to the method of the invention incorporates power cylinders mounted on a base, with an additional crosshead being suspended by elastic members on the rods of said power cylinders, said additional crosshead being adapted to reciprocate along the columns of the apparatus, and the additional crosshead mounts vibration exciters and a mold case, whereas the vibrating frame carries the lower punch mounted in coaxial relationship with the mold case.

Abstract: Mechanism for applying radially directed compression pressure onto pharmaceutical materials in a tableting die. There is provided mechanism for association with an otherwise standard tableting machine by which a radially directed pressure is applied to the tableting materials, usually powders, within a tableting die in order to minimize the tendency for capping or delaminating in the finished tablet. A relatively heavy housing is introduced as a component portion of the strain rod which otherwise extends uninterruptedly from the top to the bottom of the machine adjacent the rotating die table at the portion of the travel thereof occupied by the compression rollers. Separate strain rod components are connected from the top of the machine to the top of said housing and from the bottom of said housing to the bottom of the machine so that the strain of a normal compression operation axially of a die is caused to pass through said housing.

Abstract: An improvement for a press, more particularly a press for compacting powder material, provided with a mechanical toggle mechanism actuated ram disposed above the die supporting bed or table of the press. The mechanical toggle mechanism is in turn actuated by the press drive. The pivot support for the ram upper toggle arm is independently reciprocated by a fluid cylinder activated in timed relationship with the mechanical toggle action such as to provide reciprocation of the ram independently of or in addition to the reciprocation caused by the toggle mechanism. Adjustable abutment means are provided for adjustably setting the extreme positions of the fluid cylinder reciprocating member.

Abstract: A machine for compacting particles of ice to form a composite block in which a volume of ice particles in measured amount is delivered from a feed hopper into a tubular member in advance of a compacting ram for displacement of the ice particles by the ram to a compacting section which is closed at the open dispensing end of the tubular member by a second ram which forms one wall of the compacting chamber when in blocking position and which enables the displacement of the formed block of ice for delivery when in unblocking position.

Abstract: An arrangement for enclosing press apparatus, including a die set and a reciprocating punch block, within a hazardous environment. The die set and punch block are sealed within an enclosure room into which an elongated drive shaft, which connects the punch block and a drive unit, passes. The drive shaft is sealed at the point where it passes from inside to outside of the room, while allowing the shaft to reciprocatingly move. The arrangement provides access to the drive unit for maintenance, external to the hazardous environment and, in the event of a release of hydraulic fluid in an hydraulic drive, the fluid is maintained segregated from the hazardous environment and the material therein.

Abstract: A punch press remotely disengageable from the punch drive mechanism, particularly useful where the press must operate in a hostile environment. The press includes a punch block, supporting one or more punches, which is laterally inserted into connection with the punch drive apparatus. A die set is provided for supporting one or more dies, and the die set is associated with the punch block such that the punch is guided into a preselected position relative to the die by the drive apparatus. A structural frame is provided for seating the die set, which can be laterally inserted and removed from the frame. Guide rails are also provided which can extend laterally from the frame and support the die set in a position removed from the normal operating position within the frame. The guide rails also support the die set in the operating position.

Abstract: A hot briquetting press having a stationary anvil and a reciprocating ram movable through a chip-box that includes a water-cooled jacket to remove excessive heat therefrom. The cooling jacket includes an arcuate wall that is spaced from the reciprocating ram a distance that permits a layer of discrete chips to be disposed therein as an insulation barrier intermediate the reciprocating ram and the water-cooled jacket to preclude the cooling of the hot chips adjacent the ram before they are pressed into a briquette.

Abstract: A briquette forming apparatus for compressing a mass of metallic chips into uniformly dense briquettes. The chips are first heated to reduce their yield strength and to simultaneously remove volatile contaminants therefrom. The hot chips are then transferred to a reciprocating press where the chips are compacted in a flared die between a convex anvil and a reciprocating ram.

Abstract: A blow-molding apparatus for producing a flask-like container with a handle has two mold halves which surround a thermoplastic parison for subsequent inflation. Each of the mold halves has a guide channel through which one of a variety of tools may be admitted as complementary pairs. These tools include plungers for defining a region in the parison to serve as the hole of the handle, punches for compressing the plastic material in that same region and, finally, a knock-out mechanism, consisting of at least a ram for knocking out the cooled material so as to form the opening in the container which defines the handle.

Abstract: A high pressure, high temperature, piston-cylinder type apparatus which utilizes a soft, ductile, electrically conductive material as a driver element to transmit pressure from the piston to a charge in the cylinder. The driver element, preferably made of zinc or lead, or the like is placed in the pressure cylinder between an advanceable piston and a stationary sleeve of insulating material surrounding an electrically heatable core of charge material. As the piston is advanced, the driver element deforms into the end of the sleeve of insulating material and maintains pressure on the core with minimal deformation of the sleeve of insulating material.

Abstract: A multi-sectional filter tip assembly is initially made with two charcoal filter sections and alternate sections of cellulose acetate fibrous material with a fibrous section at each end. The filter tip assembly is then compacted by a pin compactor which punches a recess into each fibrous end of the filter tip assembly while at the same time forcing the displaced acetate fibrous material into the charcoal sections to compact the charcoal. Upon removal of the pins of the pin compactor, a recess is formed in each end of the filter tip assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for developing and controlling pharmaceutical granulations from a tabletting characteristics standpoint, involving instrumenting a tablet press to derive both the peak compression force and peak ejection force information for each tabletting event in convenient digital form. The thusly derived compression and ejection force information is automatically scaled to desired units of force and utilized in compression and ejection profiles and in the calculation of the average and standard deviations for both compression and ejection in the pursuit of optimization of the tabletted granulation regarding such tabletting characteristics as compressibility, lubricity, relative flow, compression failure point, and tendency of the formed tablets to adhere to the tablet press punches.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a powder metal compact having an undercut or a reentrant angle in which the portion of the die that results in the compact undercut or reentrant angle is axially movable relative to a stationary part of the die means along the axis of pressure in order to permit automatic straight line ejection of the compact.

Abstract: A method of and machine for forming articles from a temporarily plastic material in which a hollow mould has material in a plastic state placed in it; plungers to form the interior surface of a through pipe operated to displace plastic material in that mould and a further hollow plunger operated to form a further outlet the passageway of which connects with the through passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting powder material into a mold cavity formed at least between an upper and a lower reciprocally movable punch. The lower punch reciprocates in the center bore of a die and has an end face defining a portion of the mold cavity. The upper punch is reciprocable so as to be placed over the die bore and has an end face defining another portion of the mold cavity. The upper punch end face is coated with, or made of, an elastomeric material. The upper face of the lower punch may be flat or contoured. The compaction of the powder material in the mold cavity is accomplished by the upward movement of the lower punch which forces the powder material to conform to the configuration of the mold cavity. After compaction, the upper punch is withdrawn and the compacted product is ejected.

Abstract: A rotary press with a rotary driven matrix table for holding matrixes having boreholes. During rotation of the matrix table, top and bottom dies are moved in their axial direction towards and away from each other for pressing injected moldable material in the boreholes of the matrix. For production of profiled articles, the bottom and/or top dies are constructed as one outside and at least one inside die which are movable independently of each other. For pressing movement of the outside and inside dies, at least one profiled press roller is provided to assign different pressing paths to the outside and inside dies. The press rollers are provided with a rotary deep-cut groove for guiding the inside die to which a nose-shaped guide head is assigned for engaging the groove. The press rollers are constructed as two exterior disks for guiding the guide surfaces, and one interior disk for guiding the inside die by means of the nose-shaped guide head.

Abstract: A protective hood for a tablet compressing machine includes a heavy cover plate 12 resiliently supported on the top of the machine frame 11, vertical support members 14, hinged windows 16 secured to the support members by locks 21, and acoustical absorption plates 15 above and below the windows. Environmental integrity is implemented by channel members 17 around the edges of the support members and provided with chambers 18 kept at a positive pressure through inlets 19. The chambers are closed by rubber seals 20 around the edges of the windows 16.

Abstract: A brick press is disclosed having a turntable carrying a plurality of molds angularly spaced from each other and having equipment associated therewith establishing a plurality of series of operating stations, each series including at least a precompression station, a compression station and an ejection station. The molds carried by the turntable are provided with replaceable liners. A material handling and feed system is also disclosed, providing for preparation of particulate or granular materials to be charged into the molds.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic press, comprising a base frame with an horizontal bed, to which two stationary heads, termed "fore head" and "rear head", respectively, are firmly secured, said heads being connected with one another by at least two cylindrical, parallel columns, whereon a movable positioning and pre-compression crosshead, operated by hydraulic jacks, is slidingly fitted, whereby to act on a movable punch, located opposite to a stationary die, acting both punch and die, on the recess of a bottom mold; being the pressure on the movable punch, working on the recess of the bottom mold, being exerted through a pad made of an elastically flexible material, interposed between said crosshead and said fore head, it being possible to have said pad filled with a pressurized liquid.

Abstract: A process of forming molded bodies is provided in which precisely formed surfaces thereof have a precise interval therebetween. Such bodies are formed in a mold in which a first set of forming dies engage an interposed plastic mass of glass or the like, whereafter at least one auxiliary forming die enters the mold to engage and form the yet plastic mass. The first set of forming dies define critical surfaces and have a fixed interval therebetween following engagement with the plastic mass. The auxiliary die defines a non-critical surface on the body to be formed in the mold and enters the mold a distance determined by the mass of the plastic body.In a modified process of manufacture, the mold has an offset portion and is movable relative to the first forming dies whereby the mold cavity in which the plastic mass is disposed is reduced in volume and the desired body is formed having critical surfaces formed by the first forming dies.

Abstract: Apparatus for injection molding thermoplastic lenses, such as prescription eyeglass lenses, in a single injection molding operation into a finished single vision or multifocal blank which does not require additional molding or polishing. Movable optical inserts (dies) are forced apart by injected polycarbonate, then the inserts are urged together forcing a portion of the injected polycarbonate into a pocket.

Abstract: A mold closure assembly for a mounting press for mounting metallurgical specimens in a plastic mount including a cap lockingly insertable in the upper end of the mold, a conical member disposed in a mating conical recess in the lower end of said cap, spring means for urging said conical member into such mating relation, a compression member adapted for a sliding fit in the mold and handle means attached to the cap and foldable to a non-obstructing position to permit a temperature control unit to be attached to or removed from the closure assembly.

Abstract: A greater percentage of hole area is provided in opposite leg portions of the semi-cylindrical perforated backing plate of either the core or the pressing head of a mold box assembly, used in the pressing of a slurry into semi-cylindrical bodies of lightweight thermal insulation for pipe, than in the crown portion connecting the leg portions. More uniform density is thereby provided in the pieces of insulation, and breakage during handling before curing is greatly reduced.

Abstract: The specification describes an apparatus and a method for the production of eramic mouldings, in the case of which a suspension of moulding composition particles is introduced into a filling space formed between two punches which can be relatively moved towards each other. The liquid is removed via a filter formed in a punch provided with filter openings. The supply of the suspension is terminated after filling of the filling space with the supply duct shut off. The volume of the system comprising the filling space, the supply duct shut off from the outside and a space with a deformable limiting wall is decreased with a corresponding increase in pressure in this system and then in a conventional manner the final pressure is produced by relative movement of the punches. In the preferred form the filling space is isolated from the remainder of the filling system during the final compaction and forming of the moulding. The invention is preferably applied to the production of magnetized ferrite mouldings.