Crack-free powder-based, near net shaped parts are fabricated using a die assembly and cold isostatic pressing. Soft materials are introduced on both sides of die components in order to balance compression loads applied to the die component, and thereby avoid deformation of the die component.

A method for tracking product in an installation in which powdered product is processed into manufactured items is provided. The method comprises introducing the powdered product into the installation through at least one inlet, obtaining measurement data for the powdered product from at least one mass sensor positioned in the at least one inlet, and dividing the measurement data into mass units of equal size. The progression of the mass units is then tracked through the installation using measurement data from at least one other mass sensor in the installation.

A feeding and blending apparatus for a system for continuous processing of powder products comprises at least two system inlets for powder products; and at least two feeding and dosing devices arranged in a row. Each of the at least two feeding and dosing devices comprises, an inlet being connected with a system inlet, at least one feeder, at least one actuator configured to operate the at least one feeder, and an outlet being connected with an inlet of the powder blending device. A separation wall is configured to separate a process area from a technical. Process components of the at least two feeding and dosing devices are positioned in the process area and technical components of the feeding and dosing devices are positioned in the technical area. Connections between the at least one actuator and the at least one feeder pass through the separation wall.

A feeding and blending apparatus for a system for continuous processing of powder products comprises at least two system inlets for powder products; and at least two feeding and dosing devices arranged in a row. Each of the at least two feeding and dosing devices comprises, an inlet being connected with a system inlet, at least one feeder, at least one actuator configured to operate the at least one feeder, and an outlet being connected with an inlet of the powder blending device. A separation wall is configured to separate a process area from a technical. Process components of the at least two feeding and dosing devices are positioned in the process area and technical components of the feeding and dosing devices are positioned in the technical area. Connections between the at least one actuator and the at least one feeder pass through the separation wall.

A method of making a tablet for hot espresso beverage extraction includes the steps of grinding a brewable product to obtain a powder having a substantially uniform particle size, dosing a predetermined amount of the ground product powder, moistening the powdered product dose, homogenizing the moistened mixture to obtain a powdered product with a substantially uniform moisture content, forming the powdered product dose to obtain a disk-shaped or prismatic tablet, and supplying an amount of energy to the tablet to obtain a substantially compact and integral item. The step of supplying energy is carried out by irradiating the tablet with an electromagnetic wave beam to overheat and partially bake and/or sinter the particles of the powdered product and impart a relatively compact and self-supporting construction to the finished tablet. The electromagnetic wave irradiation step is carried out at the end of the forming step while continuously compressing the dose.

In a method for measuring or calibrating utensils, in particular in pressing processes, different dimensions and/or positions of the utensils, such as tools, stamps (16, 17), die units (22), chucks (14, 15, 21) or the like, are determined. A measuring device (10) is provided, with which the utensils are placed relative to one another in the press as in the installed state and are displaceable relative to one another at least in the axial direction (A) of the opening in the die unit (22) forming the die and are measured and/or calibrated individually and relative to one another. The pressed parts and workpieces to be produced using a press can thus be manufactured in a highly precise manner, moreover in high numbers using the same utensils.

A high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) press is provided having a plurality of press bases. In one embodiment, the press includes eight or more press bases arranged in one of an octahedral, a dodecahedral or an icosahedral geometry. The press bases may include, or be coupled with, anvils configured to converge on a central region. An octahedral, a dodecahedral or an icosahedral reaction cell may be positioned at the central region for pressing by the converging anvils. In one embodiment, the reaction cell may include an opening, such as a through-hole, extending from a first face of the reaction cell to a second, opposite face of the reaction cell. One or more canisters containing materials to be sintered may be disposed in the opening to be subjected to a HTHP process.

A method for producing a green compact uses a pressing tool including a die, a first punch to be displaced in an axial direction, a second punch to be displaced in a radial direction through a channel in the die and a receptacle having a filling opening. The method includes locating the second punch before or during filling of a powdery material into the receptacle so as to be outwardly offset in the radial direction relative to an inner peripheral surface, filling the powdery material into the receptacle, and moving at least the first punch and the second punch and compressing the material in the receptacle, with the second punch being moved in the radial direction toward the receptacle only so far that it is disposed flush with a region of the inner peripheral surface. A pressing tool, a green compact and a sintered part are also provided.

A press apparatus includes a pressure vessel arranged to hold pressure medium therein during use of the press apparatus. The pressure vessel includes a top end closure and a bottom end closure. A furnace chamber is arranged within the pressure vessel so that pressure medium can enter and exit the furnace chamber, the furnace chamber at least in part defining a treatment space arranged to accommodate at least one article. The press apparatus includes at least one outer convection loop pressure medium guiding passage in fluid communication with the furnace chamber and arranged to form an outer convection loop within the pressure vessel. The outer convection loop is arranged to guide the pressure medium after having exited the furnace chamber in proximity to an inner surface of one or more wall(s) of the pressure vessel to a space between the furnace chamber and the bottom end closure.

The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing an aluminum alloy member capable of suppressing deterioration in ductility thereof. In the method for manufacturing an aluminum alloy member, an aluminum alloy casting material that contains 2.0 to 5.5 mass % of Cu, and 4.0 to 7.0 mass % of Si in which a content of Mg is 0.5 mass % or less, a content of Zn is 1.0 mass % or less, a content of Fe is 1.0 mass % or less, a content of Mn is 0.5 mass % or less and the balance is made of Al and inevitable impurities is used. The method for manufacturing an aluminum alloy member includes a heating and holding step of heating and holding the aluminum alloy casting material within a solid-liquid coexisting temperature region; and a quenching step of rapidly cooling the aluminum alloy casting material after performing the heating and holding step.