The present invention relates to a food forming drum comprising a multitude of rows product cavities, each row comprising a multitude of product cavities, wherein the product cavities are provided as one or more at least partially porous members made from a porous material with interconnecting pores. The present invention further relates to a food forming apparatus comprising a food forming drum and a porous member. Additionally, the present invention relates to a movable unit to transport a drum and a method to change a drum or clean the food forming apparatus.

Format change method for a thermoforming machine and a thermoforming machine. A station of the machine includes an upper tool and a lower tool, at least one of the upper and lower tools being suitable for moving in a substantially vertical actuating direction during the operation of the machine. In the method, the upper tool is supported on the lower tool and both tools are subsequently withdrawn from the station and are replaced with new tools. When withdrawing the upper and lower tools from the station and when introducing the new tools therein, the tools are moved simultaneously and jointly in a replacement direction different from the actuating direction.

The present invention relates to a food forming drum (1) comprising a multitude of rows (2) of product cavities, each row comprising a multitude of product cavities, wherein the product cavities are provided as one or more at least partially porous members (78) made from a porous material with interconnecting pores. The present invention further relates to a food forming apparatus comprising a food forming drum and a porous member. Additionally, the present invention relates to a movable unit to transport a drum and a method to change a drum or clean the food forming apparatus.

A tooling system may comprise a tool scanner, a tool database, and a user interface device. The tool scanner may be configured to scan a tool identifier on a tool. The tool database may have tool information associated with the tool identifier. The user interface device may be in communication with the tool scanner and the tool database. The user interface device may receive tool information from the tool database in response to the scan by the tool scanner, concurrently display a tool issue description and a tool issue image from the tool information of the tool database, receive a tool area selection with respect to the tool issue image, and provide access to a tool issue history from the tool database in response to the tool area selection.

A container treatment system (1, 13) that has at least two working areas (AP). Each of the working areas (AP) respectively comprises at least one exchangeable working tool (2) and/or one adaptable format part. Furthermore, the container treatment system (1, 13) comprises at least one automatic exchange machine (10) which is movable, in particular drivable, to the at least two working areas (AP), which automatic exchange machine (10) can be connected selectively to any of the respective working areas (AP), in particular using centering means (22, 32), and which automatic exchange machine (10) comprises tools for exchanging the working tools (2) and/or for adapting the format parts of the respective working area (AP). The invention further relates to an automatic exchange machine (10) for exchanging working tools (2) and/or for adapting the format parts of at least two different working areas (AP) of a container treatment system (1, 13).

The device has a support segment for supporting a workpiece, in particular a flat workpiece, and a carrier segment, in particular a cantilever, a gantry, or an articulated-arm robot, which carrier segment holds a working unit. According to a preferred embodiment, the carrier segment can extend at least partially over the support segment. The working unit, in turn, comprises a feeding unit for feeding a forming material and an attachment segment for a die. According to the invention, the die can be placed against a workpiece and comprises a cavity for forming a component.

A full-automatic wireless die change cart and system for a press. The full-automatic wireless die change cart includes an upper working table and a lower working table which are connected together up and down of driving devices. The lower working table is driven by a driving device I to move back and forth, while the upper working table is driven by a driving device II to move rightwards or leftwards. Baffles, die lifting arms, and guide rails, all in parallel to one another, are disposed in order from outside to inside at two opposite ends of the upper working table, and push-and-pull devices, baffles, and fixed supporting plate assemblies are disposed in order from outside to inside at the other two ends perpendicular to the two ends.

An injection molding system is provided. The injection molding system includes a first carrier, a first injector, a second carrier, a second injector, and a bridging mechanism. The first carrier is configured to hold a first mold. The first injector is disposed over the first carrier and configured to inject a first polymeric material. The second carrier is configured to hold a second mold. The second injector is disposed over the second carrier and configured to inject a second polymeric material. The bridging mechanism is disposed between and rotatable relative to the first carrier and the second carrier. The bridging mechanism is configured to receive a third mold from the first carrier or the second carrier and convey the third mold between the first carrier and the second carrier.

A method of providing a male mold half for molding a toric contact lens at a predetermined target rotational orientation is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing the male mold half at a predetermined rotational orientation, picking the male mold half up with a gripper having a central axis, rotating the gripper with the male mold half about the central axis of the gripper by a predetermined rotational angle (?) towards the predetermined target rotational orientation, and releasing the rotated male mold half from the gripper. Prior to picking the male mold half up, the method comprises centering the grippe and the male mold half relative to each other such that the central axis of the gripper and a central axis of the male mold half coincide.

The present invention is a method and apparatus for quick and easy rubber sleeve exchanges on chill rolls, such as are used in film extrusion processes. The apparatus includes chill roll or mandrel, a rubber sleeve covering the exterior face of the mandrel, an automated cantilever system, and an air booster. The rubber sleeve is easily removed by tilting the mandrel and inserting a layer of air between the rubber sleeve and the mandrel, thereby allowing the sleeve to slip off the mandrel and allowing for a new rubber sleeve to be placed onto the mandrel.