A press plate arrangement having a plurality of surface-structured press plates for introducing surface structures in a material to be pressed, said press plate arrangement forming a closed band structure. A method for producing a decorative panel having a surface structure that substantially matches the decorative pattern.

A method for producing a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surface topography on a smooth or structured surface of a pressing tool in the form of a pressing plate, endless belt, or embossing roller for producing material plates, plastic films, separating films, PVC surfaces, and LVTs (luxury vinyl tiles), includes the following steps: preparing a surface template having a microstructure, making an impression of the surface using a resin, scanning the molded surface using a 3-D microscope, converting the digitalized data from the scanning process with depth measurement into grayscale bitmaps, using the grayscale bitmaps to control the machining process of an abrasive surface treatment or to apply a mask for chemically processing the pressing tool in order to produce the surface topography. For this purpose, either the pressing tool is partially covered with a mask and subjected to an etching operation or the determined grayscale bitmap data are used to control an abrasive machining head.

A method for producing a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surface topography on a smooth or structured surface of a pressing tool in the form of a pressing plate, endless belt, or embossing roller for producing material plates, plastic films, separating films, PVC surfaces, and LVTs (luxury vinyl tiles), includes the following steps: preparing a surface template having a microstructure, making an impression of the surface using a resin, scanning the molded surface using a 3-D microscope, converting the digitalized data from the scanning process with depth measurement into grayscale bitmaps, using the grayscale bitmaps to control the machining process of an abrasive surface treatment or to apply a mask for chemically processing the pressing tool in order to produce the surface topography. For this purpose, either the pressing tool is partially covered with a mask and subjected to an etching operation or the determined grayscale bitmap data are used to control an abrasive machining head.

Shoe press comprising a fixed support structure (2, 10), a flexible belt (1) rotating about said fixed support structure (2, 10) which flexible belt (1) can be pushed against a bearing element (4) to define a pressure nip (N), a shoe (3) connected with the fixed support structure (2, 10) and arranged with respect to the belt (1) so as to push the latter towards the bearing element (4) in correspondence of the nip (N) by effect of a pressure exerted on the same shoe (3) by corresponding loading means. The loading means are constituted by hydraulic cylinders each of which has a chamber (90) formed by a corresponding passing hole formed in the fixed support structure (2, 10) and a rod (91) which on one side is free to slide inlaid hole and on the other side transmits pressure to the shoe (3).

Shoe press comprising a fixed support structure (2, 10), a flexible belt (1) rotating about said fixed support structure (2, 10) which flexible belt (1) can be pushed against a bearing element (4) to define a pressure nip (N), a shoe (3) connected with the fixed support structure (2, 10) and arranged with respect to the belt (1) so as to push the latter towards the bearing element (4) in correspondence of the nip (N) by effect of a pressure exerted on the same shoe (3) by corresponding loading means. The loading means are constituted by hydraulic cylinders each of which has a chamber (90) formed by a corresponding passing hole formed in the fixed support structure (2, 10) and a rod (91) which on one side is free to slide inlaid hole and on the other side transmits pressure to the shoe (3).

The invention relates to a method for structuring a press belt (5) made of metal, which has surface areas having three-dimensional embossed structures (6) to be transferred to decorative panels, and a coating is applied to an outer face of the press belt (5) and the embossed structures (6) are then produced by abrading material from or applying material to uncoated regions of the press belt (5), and the application of the coating is carried out by means of a digitally controlled printing method in which the coating is applied in droplet form, wherein before the press belts (5) are structured, the length and width of the embossed structures (6) are determined, taking into account an anticipated elongation of the press belt (5) in an operative state.

The invention relates to a method for structuring a press belt (5) made of metal, which has surface areas having three-dimensional embossed structures (6) to be transferred to decorative panels, and a coating is applied to an outer face of the press belt (5) and the embossed structures (6) are then produced by abrading material from or applying material to uncoated regions of the press belt (5), and the application of the coating is carried out by means of a digitally controlled printing method in which the coating is applied in droplet form, wherein before the press belts (5) are structured, the length and width of the embossed structures (6) are determined, taking into account an anticipated elongation of the press belt (5) in an operative state.

A composite laminate reinforcing tool may be used to form a reinforced joint at a bond line of a composite laminate structure. The tool may hold one or more clips having posts, and the tool may be positioned along the bond line between at least two composite laminate elements. Joint sections of the clip may be heated to increase a pliability of the joint section, and the tool may be actuated to drive the post through the at least two composite laminate elements. The posts, may deflect toward a base of the clip, thereby to seat the clip. The reinforced composite laminate structure may then be cured.

The invention relates to a press plate 1 or endless belt comprising a body with a stamping surface 2 and at least one external surface 4 which is provided not for stamping, wherein the press plate 1 or endless belt is equipped with an RFID transponder 6 which has a memory. A data record which identifies the press plate 1 or endless belt or use and/or manufacturing data of the press plate 1 or endless belt is stored in the memory. The acquisition of use and/or manufacturing data permits the storage of a precise history of a press plate 1 or endless belt and wireless transmission of this history to a receiver. On the basis of the use data, billing can be carried out which depends not only on the duration of use but also on the press strokes actually carried out.

The invention relates to a press plate 1 or endless belt comprising a body with a stamping surface 2 and at least one external surface 4 which is provided not for stamping, wherein the press plate 1 or endless belt is equipped with an RFID transponder 6 which has a memory. A data record which identifies the press plate 1 or endless belt or use and/or manufacturing data of the press plate 1 or endless belt is stored in the memory. The acquisition of use and/or manufacturing data permits the storage of a precise history of a press plate 1 or endless belt and wireless transmission of this history to a receiver. On the basis of the use data, billing can be carried out which depends not only on the duration of use but also on the press strokes actually carried out.