A shell removal device includes a platform configured to secure a mold. An untrimmed shell is formed over the mold. The shell removal device further includes a drive mechanism configured to move the platform away from the untrimmed shell responsive to sensor data indicative that the untrimmed shell has begun to separate from the mold.

A system for manufacturing a panel includes a support frame, a first caul plate arranged atop the support frame, a second caul plate arranged atop the first caul plate, and a heating assembly having a housing defining an inlet and an outlet. The housing includes one or more heaters. The heater(s) is configured to generate heat and the housing is configured to generate a first pressurized gas film. Thus, one or more layers of material to be consolidated may be placed between the first and second caul plates and drawn through the heating assembly as the heating assembly applies pressure to the one or more layers of material to be consolidated via the first pressurized gas film in combination with applying the heat via the one or more heaters, thereby consolidating the panel.

Embodiments relate to automating removal of an untrimmed shell from a mold. In one embodiment, a shell removal device includes a body and a platform disposed within the body. The platform is configured to secure a mold that has an untrimmed shell formed over the mold. The shell removal device further includes a cover configured to secure the untrimmed shell to an upper surface of one or more sidewalls of the body and provide a seal between a lower surface of the untrimmed shell and the upper surface of the one or more sidewalls of the body. The shell removal device may include a media inlet in the body to permit pressurized media into the interior of the body to cause a pressure differential between an upper surface of the untrimmed shell and the lower surface of the untrimmed shell to cause the untrimmed shell to release from the mold.

The invention relates to a method for producing decorative parts with a rear plastic carrier element, which is poured over with plastic under process pressure in a casting tool for producing an upper layer on a front visible side, characterized in that the carrier element is fixed in the casting tool and is impinged upon with pressure at least during the production of the upper layer at the rear and in the direction of the upper layer that is to be produced on the front visible side, said pressure counteracting the process pressure during the overmolding with plastic.

Described herein are expandable foaming molds. The foaming molds described herein permit mold boundaries to expand along with the expanding polymer and thereby conform to the foaming dynamics of the polymer material. By modifying the temperature and pressure applied to the mold devices described herein, the properties of the resulting foamed polymer can be fine-tuned for specific applications.

A method for molding a composite material and a device for molding a composite material are provided which are able to suppress the occurrence of voids in a composite material and improve the mechanical characteristics and appearance quality of the composite material. In the method for molding a composite material (10), a seal region (270) including a cavity (250) in which a reinforcing base material (11) is disposed and an outer peripheral region (260) that communicates with an outer periphery of the cavity is air-tightly sealed by means of a first sealing member (310). Then, an operation of suctioning a gas from the outer peripheral region to evacuate the gas in the seal region is started, and a resin (12) is injected into a part of the cavity. Next, a mold (200) is clamped to provide a liquid-tight seal between the cavity and the outer peripheral region by means of a second sealing member (320) while pressing the resin to fill the cavity with the resin. After that, the operation of suctioning the gas from the outer peripheral region is stopped.

A composite fabrication system for fabricating a cured composite structure from a first composite layup comprising a matrix of resin and fiber reinforcement, the matrix configured upon a first supporting membrane, the matrix having a percentage of voids value (PCT-V) and a volumetric resin-to-fiber reinforcement ratio value (R:F), the system comprising: a fluid control delivery system; a layup structure having a layup support surface; the first composite layup positioned on the layup support surface; a second composite layup formed of the first composite layup with a second supporting membrane spread upon the matrix, the matrix positioned between the first and second supporting membranes; a roller; a form; and a removable seal configured to seal the form over the second composite layup; wherein the pressurized fluid introduced by the fluid control delivery system serving to expand and bias the second composite layup intimately against the form.

A mold assembly for producing a part includes a first section, a second section movably coupled to the first section, and a cavity defined by the first section and the second section, the cavity being shaped to receive a part while the first section and the second section are movably coupled to each other. The mold assembly includes a joint formed by adjacent surfaces of the first section and the second section and a seal extending along the joint.

A two piece mold assembly is comprised of flexible material, suitable for baking wherein the two pieces are joined together in a vertical orientation or a stacked orientation and held together by an interlocking seal structure. Once joined together, the mold assembly defines an interior cavity defining a shape for a baked comestible product. A comestible substance is injected into the interior cavity through an aperture in the top of the mold assembly that is either defined by one or more of the two pieces. The interlocking seal prevents egression of injected liquid from extruding outside the mold assembly. After baking, the pieces of the mold can be peeled away from the comestible product at the interlocking seal structure.

A two piece mold assembly is comprised of flexible material, suitable for baking wherein the two pieces are joined together in a vertical orientation or a stacked orientation and held together by an interlocking seal structure. Once joined together, the mold assembly defines an interior cavity defining a shape for a baked comestible product. A comestible substance is injected into the interior cavity through an aperture in the top of the mold assembly that is either defined by one or more of the two pieces. The interlocking seal prevents egression of injected liquid from extruding outside the mold assembly. After baking, the pieces of the mold can be peeled away from the comestible product at the interlocking seal structure.