A compacting system compacts particulate matter in open-top railroad gondola cars rolling on rails. The compacting system comprises a compacting station adjacent the rails and a scanning system that scans the gondola cars as they move along the rails toward the compacting station. The scanning system transmits data of the gondola car to an electronic control system. The compacting station has at least one compaction member, e.g., a plate structure or a roller, configured to contact an upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola cars. The electronic control system controls the compacting station so that the compaction member engages with and applies force to the upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola car so as to compress the particulate matter in the gondola. A method for compacting particulate matter in a gondola car is also shown.

A compacting system compacts particulate matter in open-top railroad gondola cars rolling on rails. The compacting system includes a compacting station adjacent the rails and a scanning system that scans the gondola cars as they move along the rails toward the compacting station. The scanning system transmits data of the gondola car to an electronic control system. The compacting station has at least one compaction member, e.g., a plate structure or a roller, configured to contact an upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola cars. The electronic control system controls the compacting station so that the compaction member engages with and applies force to the upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola car so as to compress the particulate matter in the gondola. A method for compacting particulate matter in a gondola car is also shown.

A compacting system compacts particulate matter in open-top railroad gondola cars rolling on rails. The compacting system includes a compacting station adjacent the rails and a scanning system that scans the gondola cars as they move along the rails toward the compacting station. The scanning system transmits data of the gondola car to an electronic control system. The compacting station has at least one compaction member, e.g., a plate structure or a roller, configured to contact an upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola cars. The electronic control system controls the compacting station so that the compaction member engages with and applies force to the upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola car so as to compress the particulate matter in the gondola. A method for compacting particulate matter in a gondola car is also shown.

A radial compression mechanism includes a constraining structure with a cut-out defined by a plurality of bearing surfaces. A plurality of die are carried by the constraining structure and arranged in a circular pattern about a central axis. Each die has a base side positioned in parallel juxtaposition to a corresponding bearing surface and each die is constrained to move reciprocally and linearly along the corresponding bearing surface. Working surfaces of the plurality of die cooperate to form a cavity that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A driving mechanism is coupled to at least one of the plurality of die to drive all of the die in unison between the open position and the closed position.

A radial compression mechanism includes a constraining structure with a cut-out defined by a plurality of bearing surfaces. A plurality of die are carried by the constraining structure and arranged in a circular pattern about a central axis. Each die has a base side positioned in parallel juxtaposition to a corresponding bearing surface and each die is constrained to move reciprocally and linearly along the corresponding bearing surface. Working surfaces of the plurality of die cooperate to form a cavity that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A driving mechanism is coupled to at least one of the plurality of die to drive all of the die in unison between the open position and the closed position.

There is provided a method for controlling a powder compacting apparatus including: a die having a hollow; an upper punch and a floating lower punch; a first actuator that pushes down the upper punch; a second actuator that controls a floating load of the floating lower punch; and a stopper that defines a pressurization stop position of the floating lower punch. The powder compacting apparatus is configured such that the first actuator is operated to push down the upper punch to pressurize powder charged into the cavity, and the second actuator is controlled to pressurize the powder such that a load acting on the powder during pressurization becomes a prescribed floating load required to compact the powder. The method includes reducing the floating load in a stepwise manner after completion of the pressurization.

There is provided a method for controlling a powder compacting apparatus including: a die having a hollow; an upper punch and a floating lower punch; a first actuator that pushes down the upper punch; a second actuator that controls a floating load of the floating lower punch; and a stopper that defines a pressurization stop position of the floating lower punch. The powder compacting apparatus is configured such that the first actuator is operated to push down the upper punch to pressurize powder charged into the cavity, and the second actuator is controlled to pressurize the powder such that a load acting on the powder during pressurization becomes a prescribed floating load required to compact the powder. The method includes reducing the floating load in a stepwise manner after completion of the pressurization.

A radial compression mechanism includes a constraining structure with a cut-out defined by a plurality of bearing surfaces. A plurality of die are carried by the constraining structure and arranged in a circular pattern about a central axis. Each die has a base side positioned in parallel juxtaposition to a corresponding bearing surface and each die is constrained to move reciprocally and linearly along the corresponding bearing surface. Working surfaces of the plurality of die cooperate to form a cavity that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A driving mechanism is coupled to at least one of the plurality of die to drive all of the die in unison between the open position and the closed position.

A panel forming apparatus includes a first jig. A second jig is positioned adjacent to the first jig. The first jig includes a planarized part having a flat upper surface. A first edge part extends from the planarized part towards the second jig. The first edge part has an upper surface having a convex curved surface. The second jig includes a second edge part positioned adjacent to the first edge part. The second edge part has an upper surface having a convex curved surface.

A panel forming apparatus includes a first jig. A second jig is positioned adjacent to the first jig. The first jig includes a planarized part having a flat upper surface. A first edge part extends from the planarized part towards the second jig. The first edge part has an upper surface having a convex curved surface. The second jig includes a second edge part positioned adjacent to the first edge part. The second edge part has an upper surface having a convex curved surface.