The invention relates to a foaming and punching tool for producing foamed products from structural foam, and to a method for producing such foamed products.

In one embodiment, this disclosure describes a method for removing flashing from an article. The method includes the steps of configuring a deflashing apparatus in a loading condition; loading the article into a nesting portion of a first nesting plate of the deflashing apparatus; engaging an actuating mechanism to actuate a drive assembly of the deflashing apparatus; continuing to engage the actuating mechanism to facilitate movement of a press plate of the deflashing apparatus toward the first nesting plate; releasing the actuating mechanism to retract the press plate, and returning the press plate to the loading condition. During this method, the press plate compresses against the first nesting plate such that flashing of the article is separated from the article. The deflashing apparatus can include interchangeable nesting plate to fit various articles.

In one embodiment, this disclosure describes a method for removing flashing from an article. The method includes the steps of configuring a deflashing apparatus in a loading condition; loading the article into a nesting portion of a first nesting plate of the deflashing apparatus; engaging an actuating mechanism to actuate a drive assembly of the deflashing apparatus; continuing to engage the actuating mechanism to facilitate movement of a press plate of the deflashing apparatus toward the first nesting plate; releasing the actuating mechanism to retract the press plate, and returning the press plate to the loading condition. During this method, the press plate compresses against the first nesting plate such that flashing of the article is separated from the article. The deflashing apparatus can include interchangeable nesting plate to fit various articles.

Examples disclosed herein relate to a finishing system for a three-dimensional (3D) printed part. Example systems include a sensor to detect a marking on a portion of the 3D printed part. A post-processing component of the system may perform a finishing operation on the portion of the 3D printed part while the marking is detected on the 3D printed part.

Provided are a tire-trimming device and method. The method includes: detecting a profile of a tire outer surface and a position thereof by using a profile sensor while rotating the tire; inputting data detected by the profile sensor into a control unit; when removing the unnecessary rubber components, selecting, from among a plurality of different types of the trimming tool, a trimming tool which is of a type set in the control unit in advance for use in a location on which the unnecessary rubber components are formed; moving the selected trimming tool and the tire relative to one another on the basis of the data detected by the profile sensor; and positioning a tip end section of the trimming tool along the detected profile of the tire outer surface.

Provided are a tire-trimming device and method. The method includes: detecting a profile of a tire outer surface and a position thereof by using a profile sensor while rotating the tire; inputting data detected by the profile sensor into a control unit; when removing the unnecessary rubber components, selecting, from among a plurality of different types of the trimming tool, a trimming tool which is of a type set in the control unit in advance for use in a location on which the unnecessary rubber components are formed; moving the selected trimming tool and the tire relative to one another on the basis of the data detected by the profile sensor; and positioning a tip end section of the trimming tool along the detected profile of the tire outer surface.

A reinforcing element, having a cross section with a flattened overall shape and extending in a main direction and comprising at least one lateral edge made of a polymeric composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, the lateral edge extending in a general direction substantially parallel to the main direction is treated by heating at least a part of the lateral edge, during which at least a part of the lateral edge is subjected to a plasma flow so as to raise the temperature of the part of the lateral edge above the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer.

A molding apparatus provided with a transfer capable of transferring a heavy-weight mold clamping device. The molding apparatus that molds a molded product, includes: a mold clamping device clamping a parison extruded from an extruder to obtain a molded body, a transfer rail to support the mold clamping device in a transferable manner, and an electric cylinder to transfer the mold clamping device along the transfer rail. The mold clamping device includes first and second platens for holding a die, and a clamping drive unit for driving the first and second platens closer to or separated from each other, the electric cylinder includes a motor having an output shaft and a feed screw mechanism that converts the rotary motion of the output shaft into a linear motion.

A molding apparatus provided with a transfer capable of transferring a heavy-weight mold clamping device. The molding apparatus that molds a molded product, includes: a mold clamping device clamping a parison extruded from an extruder to obtain a molded body, a transfer rail to support the mold clamping device in a transferable manner, and an electric cylinder to transfer the mold clamping device along the transfer rail. The mold clamping device includes first and second platens for holding a die, and a clamping drive unit for driving the first and second platens closer to or separated from each other, the electric cylinder includes a motor having an output shaft and a feed screw mechanism that converts the rotary motion of the output shaft into a linear motion.

A method for making a three-dimensional laminated object, including: providing multiple sheet substrates each having an adhesive layer; consecutively stacking one of the sheet substrates onto a previous one of the sheet substrates on a work station, the previous one of the sheet substrates having been cut along and cured within a first contour; cutting the one of the sheet substrates along a second contour; and curing the adhesive layer of the one of the sheet substrates within the second contour to bind the one of and the previous one of the sheet substrates, where operations of the cutting and curing of the one of the sheet substrates at least partially overlap in time. An apparatus for making a three-dimensional laminated object is also provided.