Disclosed are a vacuum press method and apparatus. The vacuum press apparatus includes an upper pressing part provided with an upper diaphragm, a lower pressing part provided with a lower diaphragm, an airtightness-maintaining member mounted between the upper pressing part and the lower pressing part, a processing space formed by the upper and lower pressing parts, the airtightness-maintaining member, and the upper and lower diaphragms, a vacuum-pressing operation part communicating with the processing space, a heating part mounted in the upper pressing part, an ascending/descending heating operation space formed between the upper diaphragm and the heating part, an upper ascending/descending operation part communicating with the ascending/descending heating operation space, a cooling part mounted in the lower pressing part, an ascending/descending cooling operation space formed between the lower diaphragm and the cooling part, and a lower ascending/descending operation part communicating with the ascending/descending cooling operation space.

A method of producing an optical panel assembly including the polarizing film in a continuous manner by laminating a polarizing film to a surface of a rectangular-shaped optical panel, is disclosed. The polarizing film is formed by performing a step of subjecting a laminate including a continuous web of a thermoplastic resin substrate and a PVA type resin layer formed on the substrate, to a 2-stage stretching consisting of a preliminary in-air stretching and an in-boric-acid-solution stretching, to reduce a thickness of the PVA type resin layer to 10 μm or less, and a step of causing a dichroic material to be absorbed in the PVA type resin layer.

A multi-layer microprismatic retroreflective film and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the film includes: (1) a prism layer including an acrylic polymeric material and containing microprisms, (2) a strengthening layer including a polymeric material different from the acrylic polymeric material and (3) a buffer section including acrylic polymeric material located between the microprisms of the prism layer and the strengthening layer.

A machine for forming insulating panels from pieces includes a moving device with pieces thereon, where every other piece is upside down from a position that is desired and a flipping zone comprising a flipping machine. The flipping machine rotates the upside down pieces 180 degrees and releases the now right side up pieces for further processing.

The present invention relates to a novel device to manufacture polyurethane foam boards used in structurally insulated panel known as insulated building material press. The press enables the application of pressure across a large area while foaming and curing polyurethane under pressure, curing glue or otherwise bonding materials into a finished product or to form multiple panels in a single press at the same time. The building material press can be used to manufacture multiple structurally insulated panels simultaneously. The press is mobile and can be transported by means of a vehicle to a remote location.

An apparatus and method for leveling a bonding device and anvil in an assembly via a closed-loop control system is provided. The assembly includes an anvil, a bonding device positioned adjacent the anvil and configured to interact with the anvil to form the bonds on the web, and an actuator that enables adjustment of an orientation between the bonding device and the anvil. The assembly also includes a closed-loop control system configured to control operation of the actuator, with the closed-loop control system configured to monitor an operational parameter of the assembly indicative of interaction of the bonding device with the anvil, determine whether the bonding device is parallel or substantially parallel with the anvil based on the operational parameter, and when the bonding device is not parallel or substantially parallel with the anvil, cause the actuator to adjust the orientation between the bonding device and the anvil.

A method and a device are disclosed for making thin plastic films having two or more layers, which are subdivided and separated in the form of tubular bags for portioned reception of different products, wherein the plastic films are provided with welding seams running substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction with predetermined spacing between one another to form bag-like containers, and the containers are separated from one another by a cutting or separating process, the method being characterized by the steps: a) welding the films with predetermined spacing by means of an ultrasound welding process, maintaining a defined, film-dependent distance between a processing tool and a counter tool while welding; and b) separating the tubular bags welded in this way by means of a mechanical cutting process, with or without reduced ultrasound excitation at the point of the respective weld seams.

An apparatus for separating a wafer from a carrier includes a platform having an upper surface, a tape feeding unit, a first robot arm, and a controller coupled to the platform. The controller is configured to mount a wafer frame, by using the tape feeding unit, on a wafer of a wafer assembly on the upper surface of the platform. The wafer assembly includes the wafer, a carrier, and a layer of wax between the wafer and the carrier. The controller is also configured to heat the upper surface of the platform to a predetermined temperature and separate, by the first robot arm, the wafer and the wafer frame mounted thereon from the carrier.

At least one puck is used to manufacture a vacuum insulated panel with a shaped opening. A pair of barrier films are positioned about an insulated core having a shaped opening such as a through bore, cutout, or relief. The puck includes a protrusion having a shape similar to that of the opening of the insulated core. With the barrier films positioned about the insulated core, the pucks are inserted into the opening from opposite sides of the insulated core to thereby compress the barrier films between the shaped protrusions of the pucks to thereby prevent wrinkles and/or creases in the barrier films. The insulated core is then subjected to a vacuum to evacuate the insulated core of any gases and the barrier films are heat sealed to maintain the insulated core in the evacuated state. Excess barrier film is then removed to provide a wrinkle and/or crease free seal.

A litho laminating machine has an accelerator table (20), the table (20) being moveable between an operating position and a raised maintenance position, the table (20) being supported on a frame (24) with a bearing (22) defining a pivot axis (P), a lifting device (30, 40) being provided which comprises a spring element (30) biasing the table (20) towards the maintenance position, and an actuator (40) for moving the table (20) from the operating position towards the maintenance position.