A monolithic thermocasting system for thermocasting polymer and solid material and method of use having an internal frame system; an external frame system disposed external to the internal frame system; a mold cavity formed between the internal frame system and the external frame system, the mold cavity sized to receive the polymer and solid material and shaped to form an architectural member; a duct; and a heater element disposed in the duct for outputting thermal energy to the mold cavity to heat the polymer and solid material, the thermal energy being sufficient to thermocast the polymer and solid material to a combined building material.

A molding apparatus includes: a molding base having a molding surface on which a molded article is to be molded; a transport part that transports a linear molding material toward the molding surface; a heating part that heats the molding material being transported to the transport part; a pressure part that moves relative to the molding base and presses the molding material heated by the heating part onto the molding surface such that the molding material is stacked in multiple layers; and a restricting part disposed between the heating part and the pressure part in a molding-material transport direction, the restricting part restricting the position of the molding material transported from the heating part to the pressure part.

A molding apparatus includes: a molding base having a molding surface on which a molded article is to be molded; a transport part that transports a linear molding material toward the molding surface; a heating part that heats the molding material being transported to the transport part; a pressure part that moves relative to the molding base and presses the molding material heated by the heating part onto the molding surface such that the molding material is stacked in multiple layers; and a restricting part disposed between the heating part and the pressure part in a molding-material transport direction, the restricting part restricting the position of the molding material transported from the heating part to the pressure part.

A tire vulcanization mold disclosed herein includes sectors 13 divided in a tire circumferential direction and molding a tread portion 1, and a pair of upper and lower side plates 11 and 12 molding a sidewall portion 2 of a tire. Mold parting lines 16a and 17a formed by the sectors and the side plates are located in the tread portion 1. A lateral groove molding rib 18 molding a lateral groove 5 in the tread portion is provided to bridge from the sectors 13 to the side plates 11 and 12 and a protrusion molding recess 18a used to mold a protrusion 5a at a groove bottom of the lateral groove 5 is provided to the lateral groove molding rib 18. Mold parting planes 16 and 17 are provided to divide the lateral groove molding rib 18 at a position where the protrusion molding recess 18a is provided.

A tire vulcanization mold disclosed herein includes sectors 13 divided in a tire circumferential direction and molding a tread portion 1, and a pair of upper and lower side plates 11 and 12 molding a sidewall portion 2 of a tire. Mold parting lines 16a and 17a formed by the sectors and the side plates are located in the tread portion 1. A lateral groove molding rib 18 molding a lateral groove 5 in the tread portion is provided to bridge from the sectors 13 to the side plates 11 and 12 and a protrusion molding recess 18a used to mold a protrusion 5a at a groove bottom of the lateral groove 5 is provided to the lateral groove molding rib 18. Mold parting planes 16 and 17 are provided to divide the lateral groove molding rib 18 at a position where the protrusion molding recess 18a is provided.

Provided is a tire vulcanizing bladder comprising fluororubber, wherein a plurality of grooves extending in a width direction are formed on a circumference of an outer surface of the tire vulcanizing bladder, and a plurality of recesses connecting the grooves to each other are formed between the grooves. Also provided is a pneumatic tire comprising one or more fluorine-containing particles having a maximum diameter of 1.0 μm or more per area of 100 μm.sup.2 of a tire inner surface, wherein a plurality of bladder ridges extending in a tire width direction are formed on a circumference of the tire inner surface, and a plurality of protrusions connecting the bladder ridges to each other are formed between the bladder ridges.

A tire vulcanizing method comprises: a step of causing a connecting body, at which an upper mold of a vulcanization mold is supported and that connects together upper end portions of upper tubes of a plurality of supporting pillars, the supporting pillars being disposed so as to be apart in a peripheral direction at a periphery of the vulcanization mold, which is formed from a lower mold and the upper mold, which is set above the lower mold, and the supporting pillars having lower tubes that are hollow and the upper tubes, which are hollow and are slidably engaged with the lower tubes, and the supporting pillars extending in a vertical direction, to, together with the upper tubes and the upper mold, approach the lower mold, and close the vulcanization mold; and a step of vulcanizing an unvulcanized tire that is accommodated at an interior of the vulcanization mold that is closed, wherein the causing the connecting body, the upper tubes and the upper mold to approach the lower mold is carried out by operating raising/lowering mechanisms that are accommodated at interiors of the supporting pillars.

A method of moulding and apparatus therefor, in which a workpiece is preheated and/or post-cooled before and/or after a moulding process, allowing optimal use of the tool for high precision moulding operations.

A method of moulding and apparatus therefor, in which a workpiece is preheated and/or post-cooled before and/or after a moulding process, allowing optimal use of the tool for high precision moulding operations.

Systems and methods are provided for enhancement of vacuum bagging processes for a composite part. One system includes dispensers configured to dispense materials onto a forming tool for a composite part, and a controller. The controller is able to identify a selected location for placing the composite part on the tool, to direct the dispensers to apply a mold release agent onto the tool based on the selected location, to apply a sealant onto the tool proximate to the selected location, to lay up a ply of constituent material for the composite part atop the mold release agent at the selected location, to apply a pressure pad material atop the constituent material, to apply a breather material atop the pressure pad, and to apply vacuum bag material atop the ply proximate to the selected location to cover the ply as well as the sealant.