A tire curing press includes a top structure and a bottom structure. Hollow squeeze cylinders that can be extended and retracted are mounted underside of the bottom structure. Squeeze columns are mounted inside respective hollow pistons that can slide inside respective cylinders. Grooves are formed at intermediate position on the columns to obtain variable heights between the top and bottom structures. Lock assemblies are assembled concentric to each column above the top structure. The lock assemblies have clamping plates capable of being pulled towards each other to engage with the grooves and to lock the top structure with the columns. Distance sensors are provided to determine a distance between the grooves of each column and the clamping plates when the squeeze cylinders are retracted. Control means are configured to independently disengage the clamping plates from the grooves of each column when a predetermined distance is sensed by the distance sensors.

A method and apparatus for forming a part having a cavity with a complex contour is presented. The molding apparatus comprises a mold cavity and a molding insert. The mold cavity is formed by a first mold portion and a second mold portion. The molding insert is within the mold cavity, wherein the molding insert has a forming surface, and wherein the molding insert is configured to move in more than one direction relative to the first mold portion

A method and apparatus for forming a part having a cavity with a complex contour is presented. The molding apparatus comprises a mold cavity and a molding insert. The mold cavity is formed by a first mold portion and a second mold portion. The molding insert is within the mold cavity, wherein the molding insert has a forming surface, and wherein the molding insert is configured to move in more than one direction relative to the first mold portion

A foaming apparatus for foaming a refrigerator cabinet includes a frame including a supporting structure, and first and second foaming jigs restrained to the supporting structure opposite to each other relative to the supporting structure. The first and second foaming jigs being respectively arranged in a lower position and in an upper position relative to a vertical direction of the foaming apparatus in an operating condition thereof. Each foaming jig includes a bottom wall, peripheral walls configured to enclose an outer shell of the refrigerator cabinet, a plug configured to engage an inner shell of the refrigerator cabinet, and at least one injection head configured to carry out injection of a foaming mixture into the refrigerator cabinet received therein. The peripheral walls and the plug are restrained to the supporting structure, whereas the bottom wall is removably mounted to the peripheral walls.

Apparatus and methods for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses by bringing together a pair of mold halves to form a closed mold assembly, are described. The method includes measuring a force applied to bring the mold halves together. The apparatus includes at least one force sensor in operative communication with a single pair of mold halves, and a controller for controlling a velocity of movement of a mold half and for determining when a measured force or average measured force is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold force.

Apparatus and methods for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses by bringing together a pair of mold halves to form a closed mold assembly, are described. The method includes measuring a force applied to bring the mold halves together. The apparatus includes at least one force sensor in operative communication with a single pair of mold halves, and a controller for controlling a velocity of movement of a mold half and for determining when a measured force or average measured force is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold force.

A movable platen according to the present invention includes: a mold clamping platen having a projecting portion in a mold closing direction-side surface; a mold mounting platen mounted to the projecting portion of the mold clamping paten; and a guide mechanism fixed to the mold clamping paten and supporting the mold mounting platen. Only the mold clamping paten is fixed to the guide mechanism, while the mold mounting platen is not fixed but placed on platen surface support portions.

A movable platen according to the present invention includes: a mold clamping platen having a projecting portion in a mold closing direction-side surface; a mold mounting platen mounted to the projecting portion of the mold clamping paten; and a guide mechanism fixed to the mold clamping paten and supporting the mold mounting platen. Only the mold clamping paten is fixed to the guide mechanism, while the mold mounting platen is not fixed but placed on platen surface support portions.

A resin-sealing method for resin-sealing an electronic component using a mold-clamping apparatus provided with raising-lowering mechanisms including a first raising-lowering mechanism and a second raising-lowering mechanism includes steps below. A resin-sealed product obtained by resin-sealing is measured to measure a total thickness variation which is a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of a thickness. A height difference between a first part of a movable platen corresponding to the first raising-lowering mechanism and a second part of the movable platen corresponding to the second raising-lowering mechanism is determined such that the total thickness variation becomes smaller. The first raising-lowering mechanism and the second raising-lowering mechanism are driven such that the first part and the second part form the height difference. Mold clamping is performed in a state maintaining the height difference.

A positioning device for aligning and guiding a first half and a second half of a mold together. The positioning device may comprise a housing including identical wall members configured to define a cavity. Each of the wall members comprise a tab, the tab defining a recess and a protrusion on opposed sides of the tab such that the protrusion and recess defined by the tab of one of the wall member is configured to interlock with the recess or protrusion of the tab of an adjacent wall member to connect adjacent wall members. A first member may be slidably disposed within the cavity of the housing, the first member defining a void. The positioning device may further comprise a second member comprising a base and a protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to matingly engage the void of the first member.