Abstract:
Systems and methods for controlling velocity of a contact line and height profile between a template and a substrate during imprinting of polymerizable material are described.
Abstract:
An apparatus for manufacturing products from material which is thermoplastically deformable, as from plastic, comprising: - a mold (2) with at least one mold cavity (3); - in the or each mold cavity (3) at least one slide (8); - movement means for moving each slide (8); - closing means for opening and closing the mold (2); - feed means for introducing, with the mold cavity (3) closed, said material in at least substantially plastic condition into the or each mold cavity; wherein the movement means (9) for moving the slide (3) are arranged for moving said slide forward at a relatively high speed relative to the movement speed of the mold parts upon opening and closing thereof, from a position at least partly retracted from the mold cavity, such that said material, as a result, is displaced in the mold cavity for obtaining the filling thereof, preferably at a speed high such that adiabatic heat development occurs in the or each mold cavity.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a hydroforming system and method eliminating the need for a solid steel die (or mold) set operated by a conventional high tonnage hydraulic press. The invention utilizes a fabricated or bar-stock die set (22, 24) integrated to a series of adjustably placed hydraulic cylinders (42/44) to create a self-contained operating unit. The system can include a die set (22, 24), a plurality of activation (42) and clamping hydraulic cylinders (44), a computer control system (56) and reinforcement and support structures (14). The die set (22/24) can be a mounted lower die half (22) and an adjacent movable upper die half (24), each constructed of individual pieces of plate (36) or bar stock (38, 39, 40 and 41). The computer control system (56) interprets incoming linear position data from all of the activation hydraulic cylinders (42) and monitors and controls hydraulic fluid flow into and out of each cylinder (42/44). The system can also have a plurality of support pillars (14) affixed to the lower die half.
Abstract:
Apparatus for clamping together contact lens molds having a polymerizable liquid monomer disposed therebetween includes a plurality of clamping assemblies (10) each having a linearly translatable shaft member (16) mounted to a contact lens curing table (200). A common mold clamp release assembly (100) is provided through which each mold clamping assembly (10) passes, thereby ensuring that each mold set (12) is subjected to the same clamping and release profile. Additionally, the amount of clamping force of each clamping assembly (10) may be individually adjusted by way of an adjustable nut (30) mounted to the shaft member (16) which, thereby, controls the amount of force delivered by the shaft member (16) to the contact lens molds (12) being clamped.
Abstract:
Apparatus for clamping together contact lens molds having a polymerizable liquid monomer disposed therebetween includes a plurality of clamping assemblies each having a linearly translatable shaft member mounted to a contact lens curing table. A common mold clamp release assembly is provided through which each mold clamping assembly passes, thereby ensuring that each mold set is subjected to the same clamping and release profile. Additionally, the amount of clamping force of each clamping assembly may be individually adjusted by way of an adjustable nut mounted to the shaft member which, thereby, controls the amount of force delivered by the shaft member to the contact lens molds being clamped.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlling the thickness of press-cured composite articles during the manufacture thereof. The method includes a preparatory or fabrication stage (12) wherein prepreg plies are layed up (16) and compacted (18) to form a plurality of laminates that define a final laminate package that defines the uncured configuration of the composite article. The final laminate package may include supplemental ply-packs layed up at the mid-plane or neutral axis of the final laminate package for the purpose of controlling the overall thickness of the final laminate package. The prepreg plies layed up in the preparatory stage have been precut to conform to the final net shape of the composite article, but include a predetermined overbuild in the width dimension to facilitate control of thickness during cure of the final laminate package. The method further includes a fabrication stage (28) wherein a deformable, back-pressure system is abutted in combination with the final laminate package (32), which is then subjected to a cure cycle (36) to form the cured composite article. The deformable, back-pressure system is controllably deformed during the cure cycle to control and limit the lateral expansion of the final laminate package. The deformable, back-pressure system also prevents fiber washout during cure cycle.
Abstract:
This invention enables the outer surface as a whole of a molded resin product to be covered with a coating material with uniform and satisfactory tension. A split mold is provided, which is capable of forming a hollow space between the tapering portions at the circumferential and slidable parts of upper and lower mold members thereof. A molding material is compression molded by using this mold, and the mold members are separated before the molded product has been completely cured, so as to form a space between at least one surface of the molded product and the opposed surface of a mold member. A gas flow directed toward the outer circumference of the mold is formed in the mold so as to send out the extraneous matter to the outside thereof via the mentioned space, and a fluidized coating material is injected into this space between the molded product and the opposed mold surface. The mold is clamped again, and the resultant product is cured under pressure.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a system and method of monitoring exerted pressure during the production of composite material laminates that utilizes a thin, low cost, durable, temperature resistant force sensing resistor (50). The sensor (50) can be embedded directly on the surface of the composite laminate (42), or can be positioned between layers of the composite laminate (42). Alternatively, the sensor (50) is built into or mounted on a tool (46) or die used to form or exert pressure on the laminate (42). In all of these cases, the force sensing resistor (50) monitors the pressure experienced by the laminate (42) during processing of the laminate (42).
Abstract:
A mold for molding a plastic sheet having one or more angled portions, the mold including a mold cavity having at least one corner configured to produce the angled portion of the plastic sheet, and pressure modifying means positioned in proximity to the at least one corner, and configured to modify a pressure exerted on the angled portion during compression molding of the plastic sheet.
Abstract:
Composite polymeric articles significantly larger than the size of a compression molding press are produced by providing a plurality of expandable pillows interposed between an upper plate and the upper exterior surface of an outside the press upper mold. The upper plate has a plurality of downwardly extending paired vertical arms attached to opposite sides of the upper plate. Each vertical arm has a lower portion having a eyelet (or aperture), and each pair of vertical arms together forms an aligned pair of eyelets. When the upper and lower mold portions are pressed together, the eyelets reside below the exterior lower surface of the outside the press lower mold portion. Each eyelet is dimensioned to reversibly receive a horizontal or lateral arm that is deployed below the exterior lower surface of the outside the press lower mold portion. A plastic material is introduced onto the interior surface of the lower mold portion, which is compressed between the upper and lower mold portions via a press having a press area that does not extend out over the outside the press portions of the upper and lower mold portions. The lateral arms are extended through the paired and aligned eyelets. The plurality of expandable pillows are expanded, and the lateral arms are brought into compressive abutment with the exterior lower surface of the outside the press lower mold portion. The plastic material residing between the outside the press upper mold portion and the outside the press lower mold portion is then correspondingly compressed.