Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a densified carbon-carbon composite. The apparatus includes: a green part molding station for forming a green part; a carbonization station for carbonizing the green part; and an impregnation station for impregnating the carbonized part with a substantially curing by-product free, high carbon yield resin. The impregnation station includes a mold forming a sealed enclosure configured in the shape of the carbonized part for receiving the carbonized part and a vacuum source for evacuating the mold. At least one resin injection port is in the mold and a supply of substantially curing by-product free, high carbon yield resin is connected to the resin injection port for injection into the mold. In the preferred embodiment, the substantially curing by-product free, high carbon yield resin is a cyanate ester having a viscosity of less than about 100 cps at 250° F. and a carbon yield value of greater than about 60 wt. %.

Abstract: A mold for injection compression molding, in which an elastic inner cavity with low rigidity and expandable in a direction perpendicular to the mold opening direction is provided in a rigid outer cavity, and when resin is filled in this inner cavity, the inner cavity expands due to a filling pressure of this resin, and when the mold is kept and cooled in a pressurized state, the inner cavity shrinks and a molded product with a desired thickness in a direction perpendicular to the mold opening direction can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool which enables articles to be deep-drawn without difficulty, even when the material used is of low elasticity and/or when a decorative sheet is used to produce a composite article. The tool includes a die which has a recessed zone which extends between a die opening and a die contour or an undercut. The recessed zone is delimited on one side at right angles to an end of the die. In order to hold decorative sheet in place, a mounting is fitted on a part of the recessed zone facing the end of the die.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing zero-defect pressed articles with minimal, remote operator intervention. The apparatus includes a programmable logic controller, controlling a powder feeder portion having a dump bucket which is weighed by an electronic scale. Desired weights of powder in the dump bucket are dumped to a first location and conveyed to the press. Non-desired weights of powder in the dump bucket are dumped to a second location and may be recycled. The invention provides for precise weighing of powder and avoids waste of powder in the event of improper powder dispensing and provides for complete automatic logging of production and testing data, and rejection of defective articles, avoiding the need to manually test each produced article. This method and apparatus are particularly useful in the pressing of energetic materials into pellets or casings, where manual operations are restricted for safety reasons.

Abstract: In a method for pressing ceramic powders comprising a powder compaction stage within a mould, after exerting the powder compacting pressure the powder is subjected to close-together pressure pulses while maintaining the compacting pressure applied.

Abstract: A double chamber vacuum resin transfer molding process is provided comprising the initial step of providing a double chamber vacuum resin transfer molding apparatus comprising a first mold portion and a second mold portion. The first mold portion and the second mold portion are configured such that, in an engaged state, the first mold portion and the second mold portion define a mold cavity and a brim cavity. The mold cavity is isolated from the brim cavity by a compressible seal. Either or both of the first mold portion and the second mold portion are further configured to define an injection gate in communication with the mold cavity, a mold cavity vacuum port in communication with the mold cavity, and a brim cavity vacuum port in communication with the brim cavity. The first mold portion, the second mold portion, and the compressible seal are arranged such that a decrease in brim cavity pressure below atmospheric pressure causes a corresponding decrease in mold cavity volume.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fiber rein-forced composite dental restoration comprising the steps of (i) preparing a mould; (ii) filling the cavity of the mould with a fiber-reinforced polymerizable material comprising an organic matrix and a fiber component embedded within the matrix; (iii) applying pressure to the fiber-reinforced polymerizable material; and (iv) curing the fiber-reinforced polymerizable material. The method is characterized in that the mould is designed in a way which allows excess organic matrix material to escape form the cavity during pressing.

Abstract: The apparatus for shaping thermoplastic materials, in particular for producing moulded parts with a large height of the said moulded part, comprises a suction-pressure bell (1) and a lower part (2) which can be locked to each other by a locking device (3). Resting on the lower part are a mould (8) and a clamping frame (9), while the upper clamping frame (10) can be securely clamped by working cylinders (11). In the locked state, the clamping frames are braced by a seal (15), which is arranged between the suction-pressure bell (1) and the upper clamping frame (10), extends over the entire circumference of the suction-pressure bell and is able to be pressed against the upper clamping frame by a pressure medium.

Abstract: A hydrostatic compression method for producing a fancy log with a decorative and complicated external appearance from a primary wood. In the method, a primary wood having a water content adjusted in the range of 10-80 wt % is brought into a softened state, then the softened wood is compressed with hydrostatic pressure by means of liquid as pressurizing medium. Next, the compressed wood is treated with a fixation means to fix the compressed state. The fixation means can be a shaping jig, a mold, heating in a particular temperature range conducted while constraining the volume relation of compressed wood, cooling down below the softening point of the wood while under pressure, compact-packing together with hard particles into a vessel followed by heating, or a primary wood is chemically treated to form a localized wood-plastics composite before applying hydrostatic compression.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for forming a fiber-reinforced resin structure against a mold surface by vacuum bag forming. The process includes grooving the mold surface to form resin distribution conduits therein. A fiber-reinforced ply is distributed adjacent the mold surface. A flexible covering is placed over the fiber-reinforced ply and the mold surface to form a chamber therebetween. The chamber is evacuated. Resin is dispensed into the evacuated chamber such that the resin enters the resin distribution conduits and is thereby distributed about the ply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a fiber reinforced composite comprising the steps of (i) preparing a mould; (ii) filling the cavity of the mould with a fiber-reinforced polymerizable material comprising an organic matrix and a fiber component embedded within the matrix; (iii) applying pressure to the fiber-reinforced polymerizable material; and (iv) curing the fiber-reinforced polymerizable material. The method is characterized in that the mould is designed in a way which allows excess organic matrix material to escape form the cavity during pressing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing artificial stone having a curved surface or a deformed shape including the steps of heating a plate-like artificial stone forming body, whose surface has previously been polished or roughened, to a temperature ranging from 120° C. to 200° C. under a pressurized atmosphere equal to or higher than 3 atms so as to soften and deform it to a predetermined curved surface or deformed shape and cooling it to a temperature not higher than 90° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tooling for the fabrication of composite materials, particularly layered composite materials. The tooling apparatus encapsulates the composite material and uses an applied pressure, either atmospheric, induced gaseous or mechanical, to the material to retain it in place during off-gassing and/or consolidation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for filling a cell cavity positioned between a first substrate and a second substrate with a cell filling liquid. The method entails forming at least one evacuation cavity encompassing at least a portion of an outer surface of each of the first and second substrates of a cell containing a cell cavity and isolating the cell cavity from the evacuation cavity; reducing a pressure in each of the evacuation cavity and the cell cavity; and dispensing the cell filling fluid into the cell cavity.

Abstract: The inventive method serves for producing open containers from a flat sheeting (4) consisting of a foam material or containing at least one layer of such a material, by drawing the sheeting with the help of a female (2) and a male tool (1) and by expanding the foam material with the help of a pressure reduction. The action sequence of one cycle of the inventive method is e.g.

Abstract: In a method and molding apparatus for laminated molded bodies, a thermal-molding felt and a thermoplastic resin sheet, respectively in hot and soft condition, are set or placed on a mold face of cold-pressing-molding lower mold. A cold-pressing-molding upper mold lowers onto the lower mold to press the the thermal-molding felt and thermoplastic resin sheet. Simultaneously, cooling air is supplied to center portion of the thermal-molding felt through a blowing pipe protruding from mold face of the thermal-molding felt side and intruding into the felt accelerating circulation of cooling air and cooling of the thermoplastic resin sheet.

Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional object from fibers includes attaching a mold made at least in part of elastomeric material to a porous support. The mold comprises a first mold member defining at least one channel in fluid communication with the porous support. Each channel has within it at least one second mold member. A mixture of fibers and fluid carrier is poured onto the mold. Thereafter, a pressure differential is created across the mold to create a flow of the mixture toward the porous support via the second mold members. This flow causes the fluid carrier to pass through the porous support, thus depositing the fibers within the recessed parts of the second mold members in the mold. Thereafter, the mold is compressed sufficiently to deform the mold and to provide uniform, normal pressure to the fibers which have been deposited in the second mold members.