A distributor device is arranged for controlling a plurality of actuators, each of which is intended to open or close a corresponding mould.

The distributor device comprises a rotary part rotatable about an axis and connectable to the actuators, and a stator part in fluid communication with the rotary part.

The stator part is provided with: a low pressure distributor element, configured to selectively send an actuating fluid at a first pressure to the rotary part, so that one actuator of the plurality of actuators moves a first component and a second component of the corresponding mould closer to each other from a distanced position to an intermediate position; a high pressure distributor element, configured to selectively send an actuating fluid at a second pressure higher than the first pressure to the rotary part, so that the actuator moves the first component and the second component of the corresponding mould closer to each other from the intermediate position to a forming position; a maintaining distributor element, configured to selectively send an actuating fluid to the rotary part, so that the actuator maintains the first component and the second component in the forming position.

Machine tools for machining or processing a workpiece can include at least one tool with at least one relative movement between the workpiece and the tool. The machine tool has at least one pressure line circuit with at least one pump unit and with at least one energy storage which is in flow connection with the pump unit via a pressure line, wherein the pump unit has at least one mechanically driven pump element for sucking in or sucking out a medium and is in flow connection with the pressure line, and the pump element is mechanically coupled to a component of the machine tool which is also moved during proper operation of the machine tool in such a way that the component moved by the machine tool drives the pump element.

A press tool for a press assembly includes an additive manufactured body including a plurality of stacked layers of additive manufacturable material extending between an interior side and an exterior side. The interior side has a part forming surface including a surface profile for forming a part. The exterior side has a plurality of hollow cores defined by longitudinal walls and lateral walls meeting at joints. Press inserts are coupled to the longitudinal walls and the lateral walls at the exterior side. The press inserts are configured to be pressed inward by a pressing load during a pressing operation for forming the part. The press inserts distribute the pressing load along the longitudinal and lateral walls.

A press tool for a press assembly includes an additive manufactured body including a plurality of stacked layers of additive manufacturable material extending between an interior side and an exterior side. The interior side has a part forming surface including a surface profile for forming a part. The exterior side has a plurality of hollow cores defined by longitudinal walls and lateral walls meeting at joints. Press inserts are coupled to the longitudinal walls and the lateral walls at the exterior side. The press inserts are configured to be pressed inward by a pressing load during a pressing operation for forming the part. The press inserts distribute the pressing load along the longitudinal and lateral walls.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses for manufacturing absorbent articles, wherein discrete zones of protrusions may be formed on a substrate. In some configurations, the protrusions may be formed as hooks. When forming the discrete zones of protrusions, localized speed variances may be imparted to the advancing substrate to ensure the adequate time to form the protrusions is provided. As such, protrusions may be formed on portions of the substrate that have been temporarily stopped or slowed to relatively slow speeds. The substrates with zones of protrusions may then be incorporated into products, such as assembled absorbent articles, so as to place the protrusions in desired positions on the absorbent articles. As such, the methods and apparatuses herein allow for the use of hook forming techniques on substrates in article manufacturing processes that provide flexibility in such configurations without sacrificing desired manufacturing speeds.

Some embodiments of a compression mold for forming a rib-and-sheet part includes a mold cavity and a mold insert. A sheet is placed in the mold cavity, and the mold insert is placed on the sheet. A preform assemblage is placed in a gap that is formed between the mold insert and the wall of the mold cavity. A mold core is biased above the preform assemblage, prior to molding operations, via a compression spring.

The present invention is related to a method and an apparatus for curing a polymeric form. The method includes arranging an uncured polymeric form within a curing chamber (60) formed by a base member (20) and a constraining member (40). A thermal expansion member (30) is additionally positioned within the curing chamber (60) with the uncured polymeric form (70) such that the thermal expansion member and the uncured polymeric form are positioned between the base member (20) and the constraining member (40). The thermal expansion member (30) is heated to expand in size into an expanded state. In the expanded state the thermal expansion member (30) applies pressure to the uncured polymeric form (70) within the curing chamber. The expansion of the thermal expansion member (30) is maintained to maintain the application of pressure to the uncured polymeric form while the uncured polymeric form is being cured to form a cured polymeric form.

The present invention is related to a method and an apparatus for curing a polymeric form. The method includes arranging an uncured polymeric form within a curing chamber (60) formed by a base member (20) and a constraining member (40). A thermal expansion member (30) is additionally positioned within the curing chamber (60) with the uncured polymeric form (70) such that the thermal expansion member and the uncured polymeric form are positioned between the base member (20) and the constraining member (40). The thermal expansion member (30) is heated to expand in size into an expanded state. In the expanded state the thermal expansion member (30) applies pressure to the uncured polymeric form (70) within the curing chamber. The expansion of the thermal expansion member (30) is maintained to maintain the application of pressure to the uncured polymeric form while the uncured polymeric form is being cured to form a cured polymeric form.

When the deceleration start point is reached, the meter-in side of the hydraulic driving actuator is subjected to a flow rate control to thereby start the deceleration control processing. The position to which the movable unit is moved is detected to use a speed instruction corresponding to the movement position to subject the hydraulic driving actuator to a meter-in control. The position to which the movable unit is moved is detected to calculate the moving speed of the movable unit. Based on the speed instruction, the moving speed is subjected to the feedback control using the meter-out control to the hydraulic driving actuator.

In order to allow or improve a laminar air flow in a transition region between aerodynamic profile elements, a pressure plate arrangement is proposed. The pressure plate arrangement comprises a pressure plate body and at least one cover strip, in particular a sealing strip. The pressure plate body has an outlet region from which free-flowing sealant can exit during pressing. The cover strip already contains cured sealant and presses the free-flowing sealant flat in order to be able to form the transition region.