Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring a powder layer in additive manufacturing are disclosed. A method includes receiving leading and trailing image data from an image signal processor that is optically coupled to a plurality of leading and trailing optical fibers arranged on a moving powder distributor, the leading and trailing image data corresponding to images of the powder layer, selecting at least one point on the powder bed that is located within a leading region of interest, determining first characteristics of the point, when the point is located within a trailing region of interest due to movement of the moving powder distributor, determining second characteristics of the point, and comparing the first characteristics to the second characteristics to monitor the powder layer distributed by the moving powder distributor.

Abstract: Provided is a gathering device for gathering plastic members. The gathering device includes a gathering portion and a tray detachably connected to the gathering portion. The gathering portion includes an outer shell, a hollow inner shell and a number of fans. The inner shell is received in the outer shell. The inner shell includes a number of vent. The fans are positioned between the outer shell and the inner shell for blowing ions into the inner shell through the vents. The tray is configured for containing the plastic members passing through the gathering portion.

Abstract: Provided is a pressure vessel having a weld portion structure of a plate material in which a plate receiving a pressure or a load is attached by welding to a wall surface member such as a shell or a head. In the pressure vessel, a stress concentration on the weld portion structure is alleviated and an increase in welding amount and plate thickness of the wall surface member are suppressed. The pressure vessel includes a weld structure portion in which an end of a bolster plate (22) attached so as to partition an inside of a container body and receiving a pressure or a load is attached by welding to a wall surface member (30) of the container body, the weld structure portion having at least two sections including a weld portion (40), i.e., shape displacement points of the weld portion (40) and a stepped portion (50).

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction box (200) comprising a front wall (220), a rear wall and two side walls (224, 226), which delimit a construction box interior that houses a height-adjustable construction platform (210). The construction box (200) has dedicated travelling gear (250) integrated in to the construction box for propelling said box (2000 between a construction position, in which the construction box (2000 is positioned within the frame (150) of the system (100) to allow the shaped body to be built up and an additional construction box position, such as a construction box unpacking position, in which the construction box (200) is propelled out of the frame (150) of the system (100) to permit the unpacking of the built-up shaped body.

Abstract: An extension for a heating element includes a bracket for a quartz lamp within a furnace of a blow molding machine. The extension includes a base that is coupled to the furnace where the extension directs the heating element toward an end of a preform. The extension may include a parabolic lens to provide controlled and directed heating of the end of the preform to optimize material distribution upon blow molding.

Abstract: A guide shoe of a guiding device of a plastic processing machine clamping unit has an elongated main part in clamping direction for attachment of sliding and/or rolling elements. The guide shoe has a connecting element which is spaced from the main part and extends substantially vertically in the clamping direction, and which has a fixing region for fixing the guide shoe to a moving mold platen. The moving mold platen can be fixed solely to the fixing region of the connecting element in decoupled manner from the main part. The connecting element is designed as a deformation element fixed to the main part via a connecting region that forms a target bending zone with respect to a bend about a bending axis substantially parallel to the clamping direction, such that the deformation element additionally forms a target torsion zone about a torsion axis substantially perpendicular to the clamping direction.

Abstract: A motif-arraying apparatus for arraying motifs such as a hot fix or the like in mounting grooves formed in a mold plate. The motif-arraying apparatus includes a shaking member for loading motifs in the mounting grooves formed in the mold plate, wherein the shaking member includes a vertical board and a horizontal board coupled to an edge thereof, and a plurality of shaking knives coupled to the bottom surface of the vertical board at a predetermined interval. The apparatus not only enables motifs to be correctly arrayed in the mounting grooves formed in the mold plate in a quick and easy manner, but also enables a motif inserted in a wrong direction to be removed from the mounting groove and correctly arrayed, thereby improving productivity, minimizing defects, and reducing costs.

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

Abstract: A 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: An alignment interlock for reciprocating tooling that includes a female lock having a central engagement area and a corresponding male lock having a profile shaped to matingly engage with the central engagement area. A plurality of particle rings are preferably formed on an engagement surface of the profile and an engagement ramp having a polished, radiused lead-in is preferably formed at a leading edge of the profile.

Abstract: A cake decoration mold assembly includes a collapsible housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending upwardly from a perimeter edge of the bottom wall. A shaft is positioned on a top edge of the perimeter wall of the collapsible housing such that the shaft extends between a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the perimeter wall of the collapsible housing. The shaft has a shaped cake decoration positioned on the shaft so the shaft may dry the shaped cake decoration. A roller is rollable over the cake decoration so the roller may flatten the cake decoration. A hook may be selectively coupled to the collapsible housing.

Abstract: In a blow mold for manufacturing blow molded or stretch-blow molded containers with mold support parts movable relative to each other by a force-transmitting actuation mechanism for opening, closing and locking mold parts defining a mold cavity and mounted to the mold support parts, each mold support is an integrally formed composite component with areas of different materials, wherein at least one first area of a material in the mold support part predominantly is a force transmission element, while at least one second area of another material predominantly is a filling or enclosing or spacer element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for releasing a lens molded in a cavity between posterior and anterior mold sections and adhered thereto. A post is configured to support a flange of the posterior section while the anterior section remains spaced from the post. Posterior section is compressed between a pin applied to an outer concave surface of the posterior section and the post, thereby initially releasing peripheral regions of the posterior section and subsequently the remaining portions thereof. Upon separation, the anterior section together with the lens drops onto the post so that its outer convex surface rests on the post. A collar unit with gas channels presses against a flange of the anterior section while blowing jets of gas towards an interface between a “monomer” ring formed around the lens. In this manner, initially the “monomer” ring and then peripheral regions of the lens are separated from the anterior section.

Abstract: A modular molding assembly comprises an input module for loading electronic devices for molding, a press station including one or more molding presses for molding the electronic devices, an output module for offloading molded electronic devices after they have been molded and a carrier that is movable at least between the input module and the press station and/or the press station and the output module. The carrier has an adaptor located thereon for detachably mounting a first attachment or a second attachment which is operative to perform a function of transporting the electronic devices and/or introducing a molding compound to the press station for conducting molding. The first and second attachments each has a corresponding mounting device for detachably mounting the first or second attachment onto the adapter and the first attachment has a different function from the second attachment.

Abstract: An improved safety device for a blow molding apparatus is disclosed. The safety device allows the user to trigger or disarm the locking mechanism and return the locking pins to the safe position instead of leaving it in the loaded position. The safety device prevents potential damage to an individual that is accessing the blow molding apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a tonnage regulating structure and a mold incorporating same. For example, a tonnage regulating structure (302, 1002, 1202) for use in a mold (502) of a molding machine, the mold (502) being associated with an opening clearance (520) between mold faces in a mold closed and clamped configuration, is provided. The tonnage regulating structure (302) comprises a body (304, 1040, 1240) having a first height (306) in a resting configuration, the first height (306) selected to be larger than the opening clearance (520) between the mold faces in a mold closed and clamped configuration; the body (304, 1040, 1240) including a compensating structure (308), the compensating structure (308) for regulating, in use under applied clamp tonnage, the body (304, 1040, 1240) to a second height (320), the second height (320) being smaller than the first height (306).

Abstract: A metal mold of improved durability and enhanced ventilation efficiency during vulcanization of a tire, including a plug for a vent hole of the mold and a tire manufactured by using the metal mold. The metal mold is one in which vent holes pass through toward an outer portion of the mold from an inner surface of the mold, and in which a plug body is detachably fitted into each of the vent holes. The plug body is configured by a cylinder and a valve. The cylinder includes a large-diameter head portion at an upper portion of the cylinder, and a tubular cylindrical portion with a ventilation hole formed in the center of the cylinder. The valve is inserted into the ventilation hole of the cylinder with an interstice having a predetermined size interposed therebetween. Through-holes communicating with the interstice are formed on the side surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: An air venting valve and method for removing air from a vulcanizing mold of a vehicle tire by the aid of an air venting valve having a body functioning as an air channel and an inner part movable in a longitudinal direction. The body includes a stem and a valve disc disposed at an inner end of the stem on the side of a mold surface, the diameter of the valve disc is larger than the inner diameter of the body. A spring member is arranged in the air venting valve for forcing the inner part in a predetermined position for opening the valve when a blank is removed from the vulcanizing mold. The lower part of the inner part of the body includes an outer thread and in the lower part of the body a respective inner thread for screwing the valve stem in the body.

Abstract: For collecting fine particles from fume generated in the process of thermal cutting or welding of a metal material and solidifying them, a fume disposal system comprises a fume introducing chamber 25 which is connected to a cutting machine body through a suction duct 2 and into which suctioned fume is introduced; a bug filter 24 for separating and collecting fine particles from the fume introduced into the fume introducing chamber 25; a hopper 22 for storing the separated, collected fine particles; a screw conveyor for conveying the fine particles stored in the hopper 22 to a molding chamber; and a pressurizing device 38 for pressurizing the fine particles fed into the molding chamber to reduce the volume thereof.

Abstract: A mold blocking member is described for use in a vent bore of a mold for the manufacture of rubber products. The mold blocking member has a tubular hollow body having a first end and a second end. The second end is preferably chamfered for easy insertion into the mold. The first end has a spring element positioned thereon. A cap is affixed to a flat portion of the spring element. The bottom surface of the cap may optionally include channels.

Abstract: The item in subject is a pasta machine for domestic use, in which the surfaces of the various parts of the housing are composed of a microporous layer of aluminum oxide and completed with sealing of the micropores for hydration thus obtaining a micro-roughness with nonstick properties enabling the working of moist pasta.

Abstract: Vent valve for venting bores of vulcanization moulds, especially for the tread profile area, consisting of a valve sleeve, in which a valve insert and a wound spring are movably located, wherein the valve insert consists of a valve shank, which is at one end equipped with a disk and at the other end with a conical surface changing into backwards oriented conical end, and the movement of the valve insert is controlled by a delimiter of opening the valve. Inner surface of the valve sleeve is in its part located further away from disk provided with conical surface, oriented away from the disk, and the delimiter of opening the valve is formed by two mutually cooperating conical surfaces or parts of conical surfaces, wherein the conical surface formed at the end of the valve shank of the valve insert is oriented against the conical surface or part of conical surface of the valve sleeve.

Abstract: A special hand tool for laying concrete blocks. The device includes a mini-hopper sized to hold the correct amount of mortar, a sluiceway, dimensioned to fill the normal joint space between blocks, an optional divider to accommodate both 4 inch and 8 inch nominal blocks, and a vibrator. The device has a handle that can also contain batteries for the vibrator. A mason can scoop up mortar while the tool is vibrating. When full, the vibrator can be stopped and the tool positioned to face the end of a block already set in a wall while the next block to be laid can be put in place on its mortar bed and pushed to the other face of the tool. The vibrator can then be re-started, and the tool vertically withdrawn leaving the mortar that was in the tool between the two block ends. The same tool can also be used to butter horizontal joints by running the vibrator only sufficiently to apply the correct amount of mortar.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for releasing a lens moulded in a cavity between posterior (21) and anterior mould (22) sections and adhered thereto. A post (30) is configured to support a flange (20) of the posterior section whilst the anterior section remains spaced from the post. Posterior section is compressed between a pin (40) applied to, an outer concave surface (29a) of the posterior section and the post, thereby initially releasing peripheral regions of the posterior section and subsequently the remaining portions thereof. Upon separation, the anterior section together with the lens (10) drops onto the post so that its outer convex surface (29a) rests on the post. A collar unit (50) with gas channels (53) presses against a flange (200) of the anterior section whilst blowing jets of gas towards an interface between a “monomer” ring (11) formed around the lens. In this manner, initially the “monomer” ring and then peripheral regions of the lens are separated from the anterior section.

Abstract: A guard member for use with a dough sheeter having a shut-off mechanism includes a first portion structured to be coupled at or near a dough feed opening of the dough sheeter and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion having a front face and an opposite rear face, the rear face being structured to engage and activate the shut-off mechanism when contact is made with the front face by an outside force.

Abstract: An injection molding machine is provided with a linear guide block configured to be guided on a linear guide rail and a guide mounting block which is secured to the linear guide block and supports the movable platen. Two mounting bolts and two adjust bolts are disposed individually at two positions, spanning between the movable platen and the guide mounting block. The size of a gap between the movable platen and the guide mounting block is adjusted by independently tightening the adjust bolts, whereby the horizontal tilt of the movable platen is adjusted.

Abstract: A friction puller for an injection mold is disclosed. The friction puller has a bolt with a head portion and a threaded portion. The friction puller has first and second first substantially hemispherical wedges having a first and second passages running through them for the bolt and allow lateral float about the bolt. The friction puller also has a deformable jacket having a third passage running through is for the bolt and first and second substantially hemispherical cups for receiving the first and second substantially hemispherical wedges. The first hemispherical wedge can have a vent relief notch disposed in a top surface of the first hemispherical wedge. The deformable jacket can have a jacket vent notch disposed in a top surface of the deformable jacket. The bolt head and the jacket can have alignment indicator marks thereon. The bolt threads can have a variable pitch diameter.

Abstract: A friction puller for an injection mold is disclosed. The friction puller has a bolt with a head portion and a threaded portion. The friction puller has first and/or second first substantially hemispherical wedges having a first and/or second passages running through them for the bolt and allow lateral float about the bolt. The friction puller also has a deformable jacket having a third passage running through is for the bolt and first and second substantially hemispherical cups for receiving the first and second substantially hemispherical wedges. The first hemispherical wedge can have a vent relief notch disposed in a top surface of the first hemispherical wedge. The deformable jacket can have a jacket vent notch disposed in a top surface of the deformable jacket. The bolt head and the jacket can have alignment indicator marks thereon. The bolt threads can have a variable pitch diameter.

Abstract: A compact, flexible device capable of receiving a human finger which allows a person to easily and efficiently smooth filler material into a desired space, while also allowing the user to handle other objects and/or complete other tasks without removing the device from his or her person.

Abstract: A tool and method adapted to facilitate access to a hot runner system in an injection molding system wherein the hot runner system includes one or more injection nozzles projecting away from a hot runner surface. The tool includes a first plate structure having one or more nozzle acceptance openings adapted to engage the injection nozzles. A second plate structure is disposed in opposing, spaced apart relation from the first plate structure. One or more elongate spacers are disposed in connective spacing relation between the first plate structure and the second plate structure.

Abstract: A mold and mold blocking member is provided for use in a vent bore of a mold for the manufacture of rubber products. The mold blocking member has a tubular hollow body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a cap having an outer dimension greater than the diameter of the tubular body, wherein the cap has at least one undercut forming an opening, wherein the opening is positioned to be adjacent the mold surface.

Abstract: Mold clamping mechanism of an injection molding machine with a movable platen (10), a fixed platen (12) and a support section (9) connected to the movable platen (10) through connecting links, wherein, when clamping force is applied via the connecting links, a force is transmitted to the front face (9A) of the support section (9), wherein at least one recess (25) is arranged between the front face (9A) and the back face (9B) of the support section (9), which is formed in such a manner that those regions of the front face (9A) of the support section (9) to which the force (FH) is transferred are evenly deformed when force is applied.

Abstract: A mold lock for a mold that includes a plurality of interlocking arrangements that are configured to provide at least a plurality of interlocks during mold closing. A male interlocking arrangement includes a head with a nose that has a recessed or offset portion that facilitates primary interlocking during mold closing. The nose can be configured with one or more spaced apart bosses that make contact with arms of a female interlocking arrangement at an initial point of contact that then facilitate mold alignment when a second point of contact is achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed are: (i) a platen of a molding-system having anti-tilt structure, (ii) a molding system having a platen including an anti-tilt structure, (iii) a component of a platen of a molding system having a frame, the component including an anti-tilt structure, (iv) a clamp of a molding system, the clamp having platens each including an anti-tilt structure, (v) a molded article manufactured by usage of a platen of a molding system having an anti-tilt structure, (vi) a molded article manufactured by usage of a molding system having a platen including an anti-tilt structure, (vii) a molded article manufactured by usage of a component of a platen of a molding system having a frame, the component including an anti-tilt structure, and (viii) a molded article manufactured by usage of a clamp of a molding system, the clamp having platens each including an anti-tilt structure.

Abstract: At the filling station of a dry cast pipe making machine for making pipe lined with a plastic liner, the liner is first placed over the core and then a plurality of spaced-apart, removable L-shaped plates are secured around the top edge of the core. One leg of each plate extends inside the core with the other leg extending downwardly over the top edge of the liner. The plates are removably held in place on the core by the use of a clamping device, such as a vise-grip, for example. Once the form is filled with concrete and ready for the pressure heading step, the downwardly extending legs of the plates serve as ‘shoehorns’ to guide the pressure header over the top of the liner and prevent damage to it. In addition, the plates will assist in centering the core within the jacket.

Abstract: A positioning device includes a first member and a second member. The first member defines an alignment axis and has a male portion. The second member is separable from the first member and defines a female portion for mating with the male portion along the alignment axis. A bearing mechanism is coupled to the female portion for reducing friction when the male and female portions mate and the bearing mechanism moves between first and second positions relative to at least one of the members. A resilient member is retained by the second member for resiliently supporting the bearing mechanism between the first and second positions. A retaining pin is coupled to the bearing mechanism and is retained between the second member and the resilient member. The retaining pin reacts against the resilient member as the bearing mechanism moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A mold blocking member for use in a vent bore of a mold for the manufacture of rubber products is provided. The mold blocking member has a tubular hollow body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a cap with an inner portion surrounded by a recessed annular portion, wherein the inner portion is connected to the recessed annular portion by a sidewall, wherein the sidewall has one or more slots therein. The slots opening has a width dimension in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 0.6 mm and a thickness in the range of about 0.03 mm to about 0.15 mm. It is preferred that the inner portion is flat and recessed with respect to the outer rim of the first end.

Abstract: Disclosed are: (i) a platen of a molding system, (ii) a molding system having a platen, (iii) a clamp of a molding system having platens, and (iv) a molded article.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tensioning material (12) over a mold (14), such as a cure tool, comprises a tensioning fork (10) consisting of two substantially parallel tapered legs (18,20) between which material (12) is disposed. A tensioning fork (10) is positioned at a first side edge (42) and proximate a first end edge (38) of the material (12). A first leg (18) of the tensioning fork (10) is disposed under the material (12), and a second leg (20) of the tensioning fork (10) is disposed over the material (12). When force is applied to the second leg (20), it pivots about the first leg (18) along the length of the legs, remaining parallel to the first leg (18), thereby pressing a portion of the material (12) against the mold (14).

Abstract: A method of the type in which a strip of rubber is moved continuously from a rubber-supplier device to a consumer device. During the continuous movement and prior to reaching the consumer device, a portion, referred to as the residue, is taken continuously from the strip of rubber. The residue is taken by continuously cutting the strip of rubber. For example, the supplier device includes upstream storage means for storing the strip of rubber from which the strip is moved toward the extruder, and downstream storage means in which the residue is stored. After the strip of rubber on the upstream storage means has been used up, the upstream and downstream storage means are swapped with each other.

Abstract: A mold separating device includes a base with a driven member and a driving member rotating on the base. The driven member has a first through hole in it, and the base has a second through hole in it. The through holes receive a first mold and a second mold. The first through hole is coaxial to the second through hole. A cavity is defined in an inner wall of the driven member. An ejector is elastically fixed in the cavity and can be expelled from the cavity. A separator is disposed on a front portion of the ejector. A rotatable shaft is fixed in the driving member.

Abstract: To provide a vent piece capable of being attached to and detached from a mold easily. A vent piece body 4 and a connection sleeve 5 are connected to each other to form a cylindrical shape. The vent piece body 4 and the connection sleeve 5 are inserted in an insertion hole 3 penetrating the wall surface of a mold 2 to connect the inside of the mold 2 to the outside thereof. One end portion 9 of the vent piece body 4 is beforehand formed into a countersunk head screw shape. A cone-shaped concave portion 10 is beforehand formed around the inside opening of the insertion hole 3 in the mold 2. The countersunk head screw shaped end portion 9 is fitted in the cone-shaped concave portion 10. Thereby, the movement of a vent piece 1 to the other side is restrained. A nut 8 is threadedly mounted in the other end portion 14 of the connection sleeve 5 from the outside of the mold 2. By mounting and demounting the nut 8, the vent piece 1 can be attached to and detached from the mold 2 easily.

Abstract: Vent valve for venting bores of vulcanization moulds, especially for the tread profile area, consisting of a valve sleeve, in which a valve insert and a wound spring are movably located, wherein the valve insert consists of a valve shank, which is at one end equipped with a disk and at the other end with a conical surface changing into backwards oriented conical end, and the movement of the valve insert is controlled by a delimiter of opening the valve. Inner surface of the valve sleeve is in its part located further away from disk provided with conical surface, oriented away from the disk, and the delimiter of opening the valve is formed by two mutually cooperating conical surfaces or parts of conical surfaces, wherein the conical surface formed at the end of the valve shank of the valve insert is oriented against the conical surface or part of conical surface of the valve sleeve.

Abstract: A stationary platen of an injection molding machine is composed of a mold mounting plate, a tie-bar connecting member, and a mold clamping force transmission plate. The mold mounting plate is formed of a planar portion for mold fixing and a cylindrical connecting portion that extends from the planar portion and passes through a central through hole of the tie-bar connecting member. The mold clamping force transmission plate connects the cylindrical connecting portion of the mold mounting plate and the tie-bar connecting member with a predetermined gap therebetween lest the connecting member and the mounting plate come into contact and interfere with each other.

Abstract: An insert for a tire mold is provided. In one embodiment, the insert has an elongated cylindrical body. The insert includes at least one channel portion with a plurality of channels disposed in a non-axial direction along the surface of the insert. The at least one channel portion extends from a first end of the insert. The insert may further include a reduced diameter portion with at least one axial groove disposed thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus including a collar for aligning opposing first and second tool sections such as mold halves during closing of the tool sections and a tool utilizing same are provided. Each apparatus includes a projection such as a solid pin integrally including a frustum-shaped tapered portion and a cylindrically-shaped guide portion. The apparatus further includes a bushing having an upper surface and a central opening with internal contours which are complementary to outer contours of the guide portion. The collar has a lower surface and a central opening which is aligned with the central opening of the bushing when the collar is mounted at a predetermined position on the bushing with the upper and lower surfaces in abutting engagement. The collar opening has internal contours which are complementary to outer contours of the tapered portion. The tapered portion of the projection and the collar guide and direct the tool sections into alignment as the tool sections close.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic container comprises a layer of a polypropylene and an intermediate layer directly adjacent the layer of polypropylene wherein at least one of the polypropylene and intermediate layers comprises an adhesive such as maleic anhydride incorporated therein to adhere the layer of polypropylene to the layer of EVOH.

Abstract: A stack mold carrier (200) for use in a stack mold system (500) is provided. The stack mold system includes a pair of rails (600), the stack mold carrier, a mold (not labeled) and a cooling assembly (40). The stack mold carrier includes a carrier portion (20) and a pair of bridge portions (22) extending from opposite ends of the carrier portion. The stack mold carrier strides over the rails with each of the bridge portions slidably mounted on a corresponding one of the rails. The mold includes a middle mold plate (504), a stationary portion (506) and a movable portion (502). The middle mold plate is supported on the carrier portion and is movable with the stack mold carrier relative to the stationary portion and the movable portion along the rails. The cooling assembly is configured for the mold installed on the carrier portion.

Abstract: A block texture-modifying apparatus for modifying the surface texture of blocks. The apparatus comprises a block support, a block-texture-modifying assembly and a translational movement assembly. The block support supports the blocks thereon. The block-texture-modifying assembly engages the blocks on the support. The translational movement assembly provides a translational movement between the blocks on the support and the block-texture-modifying assembly. The block-texture-modifying assembly acts on the blocks it engaged during this translational movement in order to modify their respective surface texture.

Abstract: An insert for a tire mold is provided. In one embodiment, the insert has an elongated cylindrical body. The insert includes at least one channel portion with a plurality of channels disposed in a non-axial direction along the surface of the insert. The at least one channel portion extends from a first end of the insert. The insert may further include a reduced diameter portion with at least one axial groove disposed thereon.