The document relates to a tool for producing a 3D molded product from a pulp slurry, comprising a pair of molds having respective product faces, that are configured to face each other and to press a pulp layer therebetween, said product faces providing a 3D shape for molding the 3D molded product, said product faces presenting a respective outer product face edge, defining an outermost limit of a forming area of mold. At least one of the product faces, as seen from the product face edge and inwardly towards a center of gravity of the product face, presents an outer zone (Z1) having effectively no porosity, and an inner zone (Z4) having a porosity of 40-75%, wherein a first intermediate zone (Z2) is arranged between the outer zone (Z1) and the inner zone (Z4), and has a porosity that is greater than that of the outer zone (Z1) and less than that of the inner zone (Z4).

A molding die and a molding method are provided, which allow high-cycle manufacturing of molded bodies of a thermoplastic resin or thermoplastic resin-fiber composite material, thereby improving productivity. Molding is performed using a molding die including a plurality of die portions that form a cavity in which a molded body is molded, the molding die including: a first temperature adjusting unit disposed in the vicinity of the cavity surface and capable of at least cooling the cavity surface; and a second temperature adjusting unit disposed on a side of the first temperature adjusting unit opposite from the cavity surface and capable of at least heating the cavity surface, wherein a distance L0 from the cavity surface to the first temperature adjusting unit and a distance L1 from the cavity surface to a surface of the corresponding die portion opposite from the cavity surface satisfy the relationship: (L1/L0)>3.

A molding die and a molding method are provided, which allow high-cycle manufacturing of molded bodies of a thermoplastic resin or thermoplastic resin-fiber composite material, thereby improving productivity. Molding is performed using a molding die including a plurality of die portions that form a cavity in which a molded body is molded, the molding die including: a first temperature adjusting unit disposed in the vicinity of the cavity surface and capable of at least cooling the cavity surface; and a second temperature adjusting unit disposed on a side of the first temperature adjusting unit opposite from the cavity surface and capable of at least heating the cavity surface, wherein a distance L0 from the cavity surface to the first temperature adjusting unit and a distance L1 from the cavity surface to a surface of the corresponding die portion opposite from the cavity surface satisfy the relationship: (L1/L0)>3.

A tool including a tool body, the tool body including a substrate having a tool-side surface, an intermediate layer positioned over the tool-side surface, and an outer layer positioned over the intermediate layer, the outer layer including a metallic material.

A tire holding device of a tire mounting machine grasps the bead section of a green tire by chucking paddles and places the green tire around an upright cylindrical vulcanization bladder. A bladder device of the tire mounting machine expands the vulcanization bladder to press same against the inner surface of the green tire, and sets the green tire in a vulcanization-mold. On a lower portion of each chucking paddle, guide extensions are formed to extend in the two circumferential directions. Between adjacent chucking paddles, the guide extensions extend toward each other and constantly overlap each other to prevent the expanding vulcanization bladder from contacting the radially inner surface of the bead section and from stripping the non-vulcanized rubber of the green tire.

A molding device which can heat molding portions of dies by a simple structure while guaranteeing the durability of the molding portions of the dies, and a method of molding a product using the molding device are provided. A molding device 100 includes a first die 110 and a second die 120 for molding a product PR to be molded. The first die 110 and the second die 120 have a first molding portion 111 and a second molding portion 121 formed at central portions of the surfaces which face each other. Each of the first molding portion 111 and the second molding portion 121 has a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the surface shape of the product PR. Thermal/electrical insulators 113 and 124 are provided around the first molding portion 111 and the second molding portion 121 of the first die 110 and the second die 120. An electrical power supply apparatus 136 is connected to the first die 110 and the second die 120 through input/output electrodes 132 and 133, and the first die 110 and the second die 120 can be electrically connected together through connection electrodes 134 and 135 and electrically disconnected from each other.

A molding device which can heat molding portions of dies by a simple structure while guaranteeing the durability of the molding portions of the dies, and a method of molding a product using the molding device are provided. A molding device 100 includes a first die 110 and a second die 120 for molding a product PR to be molded. The first die 110 and the second die 120 have a first molding portion 111 and a second molding portion 121 formed at central portions of the surfaces which face each other. Each of the first molding portion 111 and the second molding portion 121 has a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the surface shape of the product PR. Thermal/electrical insulators 113 and 124 are provided around the first molding portion 111 and the second molding portion 121 of the first die 110 and the second die 120. An electrical power supply apparatus 136 is connected to the first die 110 and the second die 120 through input/output electrodes 132 and 133, and the first die 110 and the second die 120 can be electrically connected together through connection electrodes 134 and 135 and electrically disconnected from each other.

A tire manufacturing method includes: a frame forming process of forming a tire frame member using a resin material; an unvulcanized rubber placement process of disposing unvulcanized rubber so as to span from an outer face of a side portion across to an inner face of a bead portion of the tire frame member; and a vulcanization process of vulcanization molding the unvulcanized rubber using a vulcanization machine in which a recessed portion is formed in an inner side mold face among mold faces for vulcanization molding the unvulcanized rubber, the inner side mold face being for vulcanization molding part of the unvulcanized rubber disposed on the inner face of the bead portion.

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.

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.