Abstract: The present invention is a material forming apparatus that includes a piece of material that is a piece of laminated wood, a cover sheet made of plastic material, a flexible bed, a plurality of bed arms and a plurality of drive gears. The material forming apparatus also includes a numerical digital display, a plurality of roller clamps, one or more cranks with a grasping knob and a plurality of pivoting arms that are rotated by rotation of the drive gears and move the bed arms to force the flexible bed and the piece of material into a desired arc radius.

Abstract: A press assembly for pressurising a body, comprising a frame and a cartridge for applying load to the body, in which the frame comprises a bore for accommodating the cartridge. The press assembly further comprises an axial securement mechanism for securing the cartridge axially within the bore and a radial securement mechanism for securing the cartridge radially within the bore. The press assembly is configured such that the cartridge can be rotated in the bore between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. The radial and axial securement mechanisms are cooperatively configured with respect to each other so when the cartridge is in the locked condition, both the radial and axial securement mechanisms are engaged and when the cartridge is in the unlocked condition the radial and axial securement mechanisms are both disengaged and there is a clearance gap between the cartridge and the bore permitting the cartridge to be axially displaceable within the bore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for molding breast cups in a seamless circularly-knitted brassiere having a breast-covering portion and a torso encircling band, the apparatus comprising a base, a rear wall extending upwardly from the base, an upper mold plate extending outwardly and substantially horizontally from the rear wall, the upper plate having a pair of spaced openings formed therethrough, the openings spaced and dimensioned to correspond to a pair of breast cups, and a plate intermediate to the base and the upper mold plate, and being vertically moveable between a first, upper position and a second, lower position for securing a brassiere blank in position against the upper plate for the molding of breast cups therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a press for producing a pellet from powdered material, comprising a press frame and a press unit arranged in the press frame with at least one upper press punch and/or at least one lower press punch, as well as at least one receptacle for the powdered material to be pressed by the upper and/or lower press punch, at least two upper drive units, each with one upper electric drive motor for moving the upper press punch in a vertical direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved pressware forming apparatus. At least one of die pairs used in the apparatus can be narrowed in a cross-direction as compared to the cross-directional width of pressware forming tools used in prior an apparatus. The present invention allows addition of at least one additional die pair in the pressware forming tool when used in a standard sized pressware forming apparatus. The present invention also provides components for use in such apparatus and methods of making pressware from the apparatus herein.

Abstract: A structure for presses, a resistant structure of which includes at least a resistant element which, in turn, includes an annular element or arch, internally of which are predisposed two facing surfaces, between which at least a power organ is insertable, which power organ is suitable for compressing an object or material to be pressed between two bodies. Full-thickness cuts are symmetrically arranged at ends of the facing surfaces, each cut, starting from the end of the relative facing surface, develops over an arc of a polycentric curve which exhibits at least a first tract, the most external surface of which connects with the lateral surface of the vertical portion of the annular element or arch, and at least a second tract which is connected to the first tract and extends over a portion of not less than a quarter of an arc of circumference.

Abstract: A press, an automated loading system for a press and related methods are provided including a loading system having a first assembly configured to carry a reaction cell to an anvil of a press base and a second assembly configured to assist in positioning and orientating the reaction cell on the anvil. In one embodiment, the first assembly may include a trolley displaceable along a guide member to carry the reaction cell to the anvil. The first and second assemblies may each include guide members that are displaceable relative to the anvil that are configured to position the reaction cell at a desired location and orientation on the anvil. In one embodiment, each of the guide members include arms that engage distinct sides of a cubic reaction cell. A clearing mechanism may also be incorporated to clear the surface of the anvil during operation of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is, amongst other things, a molding apparatus, comprising a stripper sleeve (116) for use in a first stack portion (110) of a mold stack (140), wherein the stripper sleeve (116) is configured to open a slide pair (122) of the first stack portion (110) and to strip a molded article (106) from the first stack portion (110).

Abstract: A mold for fabricating a light guiding plate includes an upper mold, a lower mold and a die core assembly. The upper mold defines a first cooling channel therein. The lower mold defines a cavity thereon. The die core assembly is mounted on the upper mold, and includes a base plate connected to the upper mold and a core plate detachably located at a side of the base plate facing the lower mold. The base plate defines a second cooling channel. The second cooling channel communicates with the first cooling channel respectively to cooling the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transferring arrangement for transferring objects obtained by compression-molding doses of synthetic plastics from a forming arrangement of a forming unit and a supporting arrangement for rotatably supporting the transferring arrangement. In order to avoid blows and/or damage between the transferring arrangement and the forming arrangement, the apparatus includes a moving arrangement connected to the supporting arrangement and configured for moving the transferring arrangement at least between a first operating position nearer the forming unit, in which the transferring arrangement interacts with the forming arrangement to transfer the objects, and a second operating position, in which the transferring arrangement is spaced away from the forming unit so as not to interact with the forming arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming cavities in pouches. The packages are used for packaging sterile medical products. The apparatus has a frame and a tongue plate member. A pouch is placed onto the tongue plate member to form a cavity into at least one side of the pouch.

Abstract: A forming machine for fabric slats provides a strip material to be formed with hot ironing and cold ironing according to temperature in a complete procedure of hot working, wherein an entire surface of the strip material is contacted and the strip material moves linearly. The forming machine stably forms a slat of a curved cross section and includes a hot ironing module and a cold ironing module which are assembled as a linear hot-working assembly. The fabric strip impregnated with an adhesive agent is fed in at an end of the hot-working assembly through a feed device. The strip material is first thermally fused and ironed with surface contact when passing through the hot-working assembly and then is executed with cold ironing and shaping, thereby stably forming the slat of the curved cross section, which is outputted from a take-up device at the other end of the hot-working assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for consolidating and curing a composite part places and registers a composite laminate layer of thermoset polymer matrix and reinforcing fibers onto the temperature-controlled curing surface of a heated curing mold and provides a base mold with base surface covered by a rubber mask having a mask surface. Three-dimensional surfaces of the curing, base and mask surfaces complement each other so with the curing and base molds adjacent, a pressure space is formed between the base and curing surfaces that contains the compressed rubber mask, a bleeder layer for removing excess air and polymer matrix, and the composite laminate, the pressure space having a perimeter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved pressware forming apparatus. At least one of die pairs used in the apparatus can be narrowed in a cross-direction as compared to the cross-directional width of pressware forming tools used in prior an apparatus. The present invention allows addition of at least one additional die pair in the pressware forming tool when used in a standard sized pressware forming apparatus. The present invention also provides components for use in such apparatus and methods of making pressware from the apparatus herein.

Abstract: A method for forming a clay slab includes providing a frame, a first panel supported on the frame in a vertical orientation and a second panel supported on the frame in a vertical orientation, with the first panel and the second panel defining a gap therebetween. The method further includes positioning a block of clay adjacent the gap defined by the first panel and the second panel, moving at least one of the first panel and the second panel from an initial position to an intermediate position to draw the block of clay between the first panel and the second panel and thereby form the clay slab, and moving at least one of the first panel and the second panel from the intermediate position back to the initial position to withdraw the clay slab from between the first panel and the second panel.

Abstract: A mold is provided, at an outer circumferential region thereof, with portions to be gripped, to allow a transfer apparatus to perform transferring to an object. The portions to be gripped are formed in a different shape from the remaining portion of the outer circumferential region. For a mold set including two molds, each of the molds is provided, at an outer circumferential region thereof, with portions to be gripped, to allow the transfer apparatus to perform transferring to the object. The portions to be gripped are formed in a different shape from the remaining portion of the outer circumferential region. The portions to be gripped of one of the molds and the portions to be gripped of the other mold are disposed at different angular positions.

Abstract: A mold having slide is disclosed, including an upper mold plate, a lower mold plate mating with the upper mold plate, a slanted guide post, a slide, and a locating mechanism. The slanted guide post is mounted on the upper mold plate. The slide and the locating mechanism are both mounted on the lower mold plate. The locating mechanism has a locating stop. The locating stop is fixed to the lower mold plate. The locating stop has a pull rod movably mounted thereto with one end of the pull rod fixed to the slide. A compression spring is located between an opposite end of the pull rod and the locating stop. The mold can effectively prevent the slide from undesired move-back and thus being incorrectly positioned so as to eliminate the potential risk of damage of the mold by the slanted guide post.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming cavities in pouches. The packages are used for packaging sterile medical products. The apparatus has a frame and a tongue plate member. A pouch is placed onto the tongue plate member to form a cavity into at least one side of the pouch.

Abstract: Especially when it is necessary to provide voids (29) for panelling or glazing and a material formed by wood and glue conglomerate particles in one or three layers. These materials are received in separate metering devices that are able to move over a bench, being placed over the mould in accordance with a specific sequence of discharge and movements. It is defined by a fixed perimeter frame (10, 32) with apertures (12, 33) of the dimensions of the door, in which slides, snugly, a first framework (11, 34) and a second framework (14, 35) that can be moved inside the first framework and whose hollow is occupied by a series of pads or blocks (21, 22, 36, 37, 38) that can move independently through the action of respective cylinders (39, 40, 41) in order to occupy the raised position, forming the voids (15, 16, 29) for panelling or glazing, if any. The fixed frame (10, 32) has a moveable interior part (78) for producing oversized doors.

Abstract: A punch (10, 110) for forming a tablet is described. The punch includes a cam surface (24, 124) which in use contacts a compression surface (62). The cam surface includes a substantially planar flat portion (14, 114), the flat portion having a non-circular shape when viewed along a direction (20) normal to the plane of the flat portion.

Abstract: A heated, segmented pressware die set for making pressware containers from a paperboard blank includes a plurality of guide keys mounted between at least one of an inner member of a punch or die and an outer ring which reciprocates independently. Each guide key extends in an outward direction from the central axis of the die set. The guide keys are positioned, configured and dimensioned to engage the outer ring in order to limit rotation of the outer ring with respect to the inner member of the punch or die. In a preferred construction, the guide keys have radially extending planar surfaces which cooperate with guide channels having like surfaces such that clearances necessary to accommodate thermal expansion are reduced, greatly increasing durability of the tool.

Abstract: Mold assemblies for compression molding of footwear components include molds, heating elements, conductor plates, insulating layers and carrier trays. An upper mold assembly is placed into a fixture attached to an upper press platen. A lower mold assembly slides into and out of a fixture attached to a lower press platen. Heating elements within the mold assemblies connect to electrical contacts in the fixtures when the mold assemblies are installed in the fixtures, thereby providing electrical power to the heating elements and heating the molds. A conveyor is positioned to receive a mold assembly from (or transfer a mold assembly to) the lower press platen fixture when the lower platen is in a lowered position.

Abstract: Forming equipment having carriages carrying lower molds that can improve the quality of a molded product by fixing a carriage carrying the lower mold at the forming station when forming is carried out. The equipment includes a forming press that molds thermoplastic sheet material H with a upper mold MU and lower molds MR, ML, wherein the equipment has two carriages TR, TL, each carrying a lower mold, which carriages can move to and from a position opposite to the upper mold at a forming station S, a carriage transport mechanism A that transports the two carriages independently by driving motors attached to each carriage, a carriage guide mechanism B having a pair of rails extending perpendicular to a pressing direction of the forming press, and a positioning device C to determine the position of a carriage at the forming station that engages with the carriages.

Abstract: A tablet-pressing apparatus comprising i) a hopper (10), ii) a tablet-pressing table (20) in which there is provided a die (30) for containing material that is to be pressed into a tablet, and iii) a punch (40) for pressing material in the die (30) to form a tablet is described. The components (10, 24, 30, 40, 42, 50) of the apparatus that come into contact with the material or the tablets may be disposable and thus readily replaced at low-cost. For example, the table (20) may comprise a removable top plate (24) so that after the tablet-pressing apparatus has been used to produce a batch of tablets, the top plate (24) may be disposed of and replaced with a fresh top plate. The apparatus may then be used to press a batch of tablets of a different composition without needing to clean the top of the table (20).

Abstract: A method of compacting material such as but not limited to cathode material for electrochemical cells. A mixture is inserted into a die cavity and the mixture is compacted into a disk shape by the action of a first plunger pressing down on the material and a second plunger pressing upwardly on the material. Flashing of material during ejection of the disk from the die is prevented by fitting a polymeric sleeve around the outer surface of the first plunger. The sleeve flexes to bulge outwardly and does not enter the die cavity during compaction of material and returns to its original position during ejection of the compacted disk from the die. Contact between the disk and sleeve prevents flashing during ejection. Alternatively, a polymeric seal ring is placed around the outer surface of the first plunger. The disk presses against the seal ring preventing flashing of material during ejection.

Abstract: A lower punch is arranged to be inserted into a cavity of a die from a lower side of the die. A upper punch is arranged to be inserted into the cavity from an upper side of the die to compact the powder filled in the cavity, in cooperation with the lower punch. A feeder supplies the powder into the cavity. A first cam driving system has a first cam for vertically moving the die relative to the lower punch. A second cam driving system has a second cam for vertically moving the upper punch. A third cam driving system has a third cam for moving the feeder forward or backward relative to the cavity. A contact member is connected to the first cam driving system. A stopper is located above or below the contact member and regulates relative vertical movement of the die with respect to the lower punch, in cooperation with the contact member. A fourth cam driving system has a fourth cam for vertically moving the stopper. The first cam, the second cam, the third cam, and the fourth cam are rotated in synchronism.

Abstract: A die unit that maintains uniform quality of a work despite continuous operation is provided. The die unit includes a lower die holder including a base hole, an upper die holder including a through hole, a pillar having an end portion inserted to the base hole and the other end portion slidably inserted through the through hole, so as to allow the upper die holder to slide toward and away from the lower die holder, an annular bushing attached to the through hole so as to slide along the pillar, and a die element and a punch attached to one of the lower die holder and the upper die holder respectively. A spacer is provided at least one of between an inner circumferential surface of the through hole and the bushing, and between an inner circumferential surface of the base hole and the pillar, and the spacer has lower thermal conductivity than the upper die holder or the lower die holder on which the spacer is provided.

Abstract: A material handling system for a hydrolyzer, comprising a material injection assembly further comprising a ram, a cylinder having a cylinder shaft for reciprocating the ram upon actuation of the cylinder shaft, a sleeve having an interior in which the ram reciprocates during use; a gate having a gate plate operable from between an open and a closed position; the gate plate has an aperture formed therethrough and the aperture is sized to enable a plug of compressed municipal solid waste to pass through it when the gate plate is in the open position; and a material exit assembly. The preferred material handling system further comprises a gate plate is interpositioned between the pair of space apart end plates and reciprocates freely therebetween. The end plates are configured to allow a plug of municipal solid waste to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A method of compacting material such as but not limited to cathode material for electrochemical cells. A mixture is inserted into a die cavity and the mixture is compacted into a disk shape by the action of a first plunger pressing down on the material and a second plunger pressing upwardly on the material. Flashing of material during ejection of the disk from the die is prevented by fitting a polymeric sleeve around the outer surface of the first plunger. The sleeve flexes to bulge outwardly and does not enter the die cavity during compaction of material and returns to its original position during ejection of the compacted disk from the die. Contact between the disk and sleeve prevents flashing during ejection. Alternatively, a polymeric seal ring is placed around the outer surface of the first plunger. The disk presses against the seal ring preventing flashing of material during ejection.

Abstract: A plastic molding die provided with a cavity where a plastic material is put in, wherein a part of an inner surface of the cavity is configured with an elastic body. A molding portion corresponding to a molding surface of a molded product is disposed on the inner surface of the cavity, and the elastic body is arranged on a portion other than the molding portion of the inner surface of the cavity. The plastic molding die may be a molding die for compression molding. The elastic body is made of rubber, and has an upper temperature limit higher than a glass-transition temperature of the plastic material. The degree of rubber hardness of the elastic body is from 50 to 100.

Abstract: Light transmission devices, such as lenses and windows for portable electronic devices, are produced using an injection/compression molding technique in which a light transmission device mold includes an integral runner in substantially the same plane and with substantially the same wall thickness as the light transmission device to be produced. The finished light transmission devices are mechanically separated from the molded product. Molding equipment and processes traditionally used to produce information discs can be leveraged to produce light transmission devices. Various processes can be performed to add metallization, coatings, and printing to the light transmission devices.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plate-like structure, the method including a step of transferring concave and convex patterns on a master to a surface of a transferred substrate by sandwiching the master provided with the concave and convex patterns and the transferred substrate, between a press surface of a hollow cylindrical upper and a press surface of a lower mold, and pressurizing central parts of the upper and lower molds to apply pressure to the master and the transferred substrate, wherein a compressive load imposed on inner peripheral portions of the upper and lower molds is blocked and distributed toward outer peripheries of the upper and lower molds.

Abstract: A method of molding an optical component which includes providing a first mold and a second mold which mold the optical component, a cylindrical body whose rotational symmetry axis is identical with a second symmetry axis about which a second mold is rotationally symmetric, a trunk mold whose rotational symmetry axis is identical with a first symmetry axis about which a first mold is rotationally symmetric, a supporting means which supports the first mold in such a way that the first mold moves relatively to the trunk mold in parallel with the first symmetry axis, and a second tapered surface and a first tapered surface which contacts the second tapered surface, which connect the cylindrical body with the trunk mold in such a way that the second symmetry axis is identical with the first symmetry axis.

Abstract: A carrier mold having prongs that produces shaped tampons is provided. When subjected to pressure the prongs of the carrier mold flex to completely or substantially close one end of the carrier mold. A method of forming a shaped tampon using the carrier mold is also provided.

Abstract: A molding manufacturing method includes: preparing a molding body including a molding main body made of thermoplastic material and a decorative layer higher than the molding main body in hardness and melt temperature; setting the molding body in a fixed die; heating and softening an end portion of the molding body while maintaining the decorative layer softer than the molding main body, by irradiating an infrared ray onto a back surface of the molding main body corresponding to the end portion; and press forming the end portion of the molding body by applying a movable punch onto the fixed die while the end portion of the molding body is in a softened state to bend the end portion of the molding body to obtain an end cover portion having a predetermined shape.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of controlling an atmosphere about a substrate, the method including, inter alia, positioning a body a distance from a surface of the substrate, the body having a wall coupled thereto placed in a position to create a flow resistance of a fluid between first and second regions of the substrate; and altering the position of the wall such that when a magnitude of the distance between the body and the surface of the substrate is decreased, a probability of the wall contacting the substrate is minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting expended thermoplastic material, specifically empty plastic bottles, into artificial rocks, by placing the empty thermoplastic bottle in the apparatus between two sliding carriages, on each of which a rock has been mounted; and each carriage attached to a hydraulic jack, which, when the handle is pumped, moves the carriage toward the bottle which has been heated to malleability by heat lamps mounted above and sideways to the bottle, and the said heated, flexible bottle is squeezed between the two rocks mounted on the carriages, and then the bottle is rotated and the process repeated to give the bottle a rock shape. The rock shape may be further altered using a portable heat gun.

Abstract: Mold assemblies for compression molding of footwear components include molds, heating elements, conductor plates, insulating layers and carrier trays. An upper mold assembly is placed into a fixture attached to an upper press platen. A lower mold assembly slides into and out of a fixture attached to a lower press platen. Heating elements within the mold assemblies connect to electrical contacts in the fixtures when the mold assemblies are installed in the fixtures, thereby providing electrical power to the heating elements and heating the molds. A conveyor is positioned to receive a mold assembly from (or transfer a mold assembly to) the lower press platen fixture when the lower platen is in a lowered position.

Abstract: Mold assemblies for compression molding of footwear components include molds, heating elements, conductor plates, insulating layers and carrier trays. An upper mold assembly is placed into a fixture attached to an upper press platen. A lower mold assembly slides into and out of a fixture attached to a lower press platen. Heating elements within the mold assemblies connect to electrical contacts in the fixtures when the mold assemblies are installed in the fixtures, thereby providing electrical power to the heating elements and heating the molds. A conveyor is positioned to receive a mold assembly from (or transfer a mold assembly to) the lower press platen fixture when the lower platen is in a lowered position.

Abstract: An installation for the production of a solid product from a powdered material comprises: a powdered material supplier; a die for receiving the material and forming the solid product to be produced; an upper punch which can co-operate in the die and which is driven in translation by a lower motorized cam; and a lower punch which can also co-operate with and in the die and which is driven in translation by an upper motorized cam. The upper and lower cams rotate in a synchronized manner. Moreover, the cam(s) are provided with an outer deformable profile which is intended to provoke particular actions from the punch that is moved in translation thereby.

Abstract: A material handling system for a hydrolyzer, comprising a material injection assembly further comprising a ram, a cylinder having a cylinder shaft for reciprocating the ram upon actuation of the cylinder shaft, a sleeve having an interior in which the ram reciprocates during use; a gate having a gate plate operable from between an open and a closed position; the gate plate has an aperture formed therethrough and the aperture is sized to enable a plug of compressed municipal solid waste to pass through it when the gate plate is in the open position; and a material exit assembly. The preferred material handling system further comprises a gate plate is interpositioned between the pair of space apart end plates and reciprocates freely therebetween. The end plates are configured to allow a plug of municipal solid waste to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shape forming device for use with dies to provide cut, punched and embossed objects made from a variety of media. The shape forming device includes a housing that contains at least one pair of rollers oriented substantially parallel to one another, a power supply, electrically connected to the pair of rollers to drive their rotation so as to permit the feeding of a die between the rollers.

Abstract: The invention provides a mold for use in a compression molding apparatus that has a frame part (41) with a hole through its center; a bottom plunger (42); and a top plunger (43); wherein the plungers are fabricated to fit substantially snugly in the hole in the frame part, and wherein at least one plunger comprises at least one low-thermal conductivity insert (44, 44?). The mold is useful in compression molding processes used in the preparation of unitized membrane electrodes.

Abstract: A color wheel includes a motor, a filter and a dark slide. The motor has an adhering section and the filter is affixed to the motor by the adhering section. The filter has a first surface facing the motor and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The dark slide is affixed to the filter on the second surface. The dark slide matches the location and shape of the adhering section to block light from projecting onto the adhering section. The thermal expansion coefficients of the dark slide and the filter are substantially identical to avoid damage from thermal stress caused by heating and cooling. An assembling tool and an assembling method are also provided in the embodiments.

Abstract: Powder press for the production of pressed articles of powder-shaped pressing material, having the following characteristics: a female mould plate with a least two female moulds or one female mould with at least two female die bores, at least two upper plungers, which co-operate with the female moulds and the female die bores, respectively, hydraulic cylinder for the upper plungers at least two bottom plungers, which co-operate with the female moulds and the female die bores, respectively hydraulic cylinders for the bottom plungers at least one position sensor for the upper plungers, and at least one position sensor for the bottom plungers force sensors for the individual hydraulic cylinders and a controlling means for the hydraulic cylinder or the hydraulic cylinders for the upper plungers and each one controlling means for the hydraulic cylinders for the bottom plungers.

Abstract: Provided is a nanoprint apparatus in which a substrate and a mold formed on its surface with fine concavities and convexities are heated and pressed with each other through the intermediary of a buffer member interposed therebetwen, including a mechanism for successively replacing the buffer member with new one at each time which the mold and the substate are heated and pressed, thereby it is possible to form a fine structure on the substrate.

Abstract: A mold tool for paper relief engraving provides a mold cavity, a mold plunger and a folder for being detachably fixed with the mold cavity and the mold plunger at the inner sides thereof. The mold cavity and the mold plunger are doubly etched to create pattern nests and pattern projections respectively with smooth fine contours and edges such that the relief engraved paper can be tightly pressed in a way of the flat part of the paper being kept without wrinkles and deformation at the nests and the jut up part of the paper extending sufficiently. Hence, the relief engraved configuration presents outstanding sense of beauty especially for making a greeting card.

Abstract: A press system that reduces contamination of workpieces and/or compliant members used in die assemblies of the press from the pressing process. The die assemblies may utilize annular or hole-less stampers in which the compliant member is sealed in the die assembly. The compliant member may have be annular having a cavity at approximately its center. A gap may be generated at the cavity of the compliant member between a constraint member and the stamper. The gap, for example, may be filled with a plug to prevent significant distortion of the stamper over a hole of a disk shaped workpiece due to the pressure induced force generated by the press system. An outer diameter ring surrounding a workpiece may be used to prevent collapse of the stampers outside the diameter of the workpiece to insure uniform pressing out to the outer diameter of the workpiece.

Abstract: A material handling exit section in the nature of a material extruder and mold combination for shaping the material exiting a hydrolyzer, comprising an extrusion chamber and a plunger assembly attached to the extrusion chamber and further including a working cylinder having a cylinder shaft and a ram operably connected to the shaft enabling the ram to move the material within the extrusion chamber upon actuation of the cylinder and the extension of the shaft therefrom.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a mold comprises a nubbin positioned within the mold, and an actuator positioned within the mold to align the nubbin. The actuator may be implemented with a piezoelectric material, a magnetorestrictive material, an electrorestrictive material, etc. In one embodiment, the actuator is formed into a cylinder and placed around a nubbin in a mold. When the actuator receives a stimulus, the actuator constricts decreasing the size of the inner diameter. Decreasing the size of the inner diameter causes the actuator to constrict and align the nubbin along a centerline.