A former assembly for the manufacture of dip product, the assembly comprising: a thermally conductive outer layer in the shape of said product, said outer layer arranged to receive a film of elastomer; a mounting for mounting said former assembly to a former holder for engagement with a conveyor chain; a heating medium within said outer layer, said heating medium in communication with an energy source for heating said medium; wherein said heating medium arranged to apply heat through said outer layer so as to cure said resin.

A former assembly for the manufacture of dip product, the assembly comprising: a thermally conductive outer layer in the shape of said product, said outer layer arranged to receive a film of elastomer; a mounting for mounting said former assembly to a former holder for engagement with a conveyor chain; a heating medium within said outer layer, said heating medium in communication with an energy source for heating said medium; wherein said heating medium arranged to apply heat through said outer layer so as to cure said resin.

A method and device for pre-heating a first molding surface of a mold with an open position and a closed position defining a closed cavity between the first pre-heated molding surface and a second molding surface. A core is inductively heated outside the mold by placing the core inside a coil having an AC current passing there through. The core is inserted between the molding surfaces of the mold in the open position. The first molding surface is preheated by transferring the heat between the core and the first molding surface. The core is then removed and the mold is closed.

There is disclosed a self-heating tool (10) for manufacturing a composite component, comprising: a support structure (24); a mandrel (26) onto which composite material can be applied; a heater (58) for heating the mandrel (26) during a curing operation; and a plurality of extendible support members (28) extending between the support structure (24) and the mandrel (26) to support the mandrel (26). Each extendible support member (28) is configured to change in length in response to thermal expansion of the mandrel (28) during a curing operation. A method of manufacturing a composite component using a self-heating tool is also disclosed.

There is disclosed a self-heating tool (10) for manufacturing a composite component, comprising: a support structure (24); a mandrel (26) onto which composite material can be applied; a heater (58) for heating the mandrel (26) during a curing operation; and a plurality of extendible support members (28) extending between the support structure (24) and the mandrel (26) to support the mandrel (26). Each extendible support member (28) is configured to change in length in response to thermal expansion of the mandrel (28) during a curing operation. A method of manufacturing a composite component using a self-heating tool is also disclosed.

A high-efficiency mold temperature control system includes a dielectric heating module, a cooling module, and a flow control module. The dielectric heating module includes a heating circuit, a dielectric heater, a high-frequency power supply, a high-temperature heat medium storage tank, and a heat circulation pump. The cooling module includes a cooling circuit, a heat exchanger, a low-temperature heat medium storage tank, and a cold circulation pump. The flow control module includes multiple thermal switch valves and multiple cooling switch valves to control a high-temperature heat medium to the heating circuit or control a low-temperature heat medium to the cooling circuit. Through the design of the dielectric heating module, the high-temperature heat medium can be rapidly heated and the overall heating efficiency can be enhanced, thereby rapidly heating or cooling a mold and controlling the rapid heating and cooling of the mold.

A high-efficiency mold temperature control system includes a dielectric heating module, a cooling module, and a flow control module. The dielectric heating module includes a heating circuit, a dielectric heater, a high-frequency power supply, a high-temperature heat medium storage tank, and a heat circulation pump. The cooling module includes a cooling circuit, a heat exchanger, a low-temperature heat medium storage tank, and a cold circulation pump. The flow control module includes multiple thermal switch valves and multiple cooling switch valves to control a high-temperature heat medium to the heating circuit or control a low-temperature heat medium to the cooling circuit. Through the design of the dielectric heating module, the high-temperature heat medium can be rapidly heated and the overall heating efficiency can be enhanced, thereby rapidly heating or cooling a mold and controlling the rapid heating and cooling of the mold.

A high-efficiency mold temperature control system includes a dielectric heating module, a cooling module, and a flow control module. The dielectric heating module includes a heating circuit, a dielectric heater, a high-frequency power supply, a high-temperature heat medium storage tank, and a heat circulation pump. The cooling module includes a cooling circuit, a heat exchanger, a low-temperature heat medium storage tank, and a cold circulation pump. The flow control module includes multiple thermal switch valves and multiple cooling switch valves to control a high-temperature heat medium to the heating circuit or control a low-temperature heat medium to the cooling circuit. Through the design of the dielectric heating module, the high-temperature heat medium can be rapidly heated and the overall heating efficiency can be enhanced, thereby rapidly heating or cooling a mold and controlling the rapid heating and cooling of the mold.

A high-efficiency mold temperature control system includes a dielectric heating module, a cooling module, and a flow control module. The dielectric heating module includes a heating circuit, a dielectric heater, a high-frequency power supply, a high-temperature heat medium storage tank, and a heat circulation pump. The cooling module includes a cooling circuit, a heat exchanger, a low-temperature heat medium storage tank, and a cold circulation pump. The flow control module includes multiple thermal switch valves and multiple cooling switch valves to control a high-temperature heat medium to the heating circuit or control a low-temperature heat medium to the cooling circuit. Through the design of the dielectric heating module, the high-temperature heat medium can be rapidly heated and the overall heating efficiency can be enhanced, thereby rapidly heating or cooling a mold and controlling the rapid heating and cooling of the mold.

Systems and methods for manufacturing composite parts may include preheating a tool having a base made of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a tooling surface made of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. Preheating includes heating the tooling surface at a first rate using a first heating system and heating the base at a second rate using a second heating system. Differences in dimensional growth due to thermal expansion of the base and the tooling surface are compensated by spaced-apart box structures coupling the tooling surface to the base, each of the box structures being made of the second material and having a first end fastened to the base and a second end fastened to a back side of the tooling surface.