A method of molding a green tire having a first and second bead area is described herein, wherein the method includes the steps of: inserting a tire clamping device inside a tire bladder and then inserting the tire clamping device and the bladder into the green tire, aligning the outer surfaces of the tire clamping device into engagement with a respective bead area of the tire so that each tire bead area is clamped between a respective upper and a lower mold ring and the tire clamping device during cure. A tire clamping device includes an inner portion, and a plurality of segments connected to the inner portion, wherein the tire clamping device has a closed position wherein the plurality of segments together forms a first and second ring for engagement with the bead areas of the tire so clamp the bead areas between the clamping device and the mold rings during cure.

A compression molding machine including a base part; a first mold chase fixed in a position spaced apart from the base part; a second mold chase disposed between the base part and the first mold chase, the second mold chase movable along a movement axis extending perpendicularly between the base part and the first mold chase; and a compression actuation arrangement for moving the second mold chase. The compression actuation arrangement including at least two independent actuating units, each having a first inverted wedge member, a second wedge member, and a drive mechanism. An inclined surface of the first inverted wedge member and an inclined surface of the second wedge member is slidably engaged to each other to convert a motion of the second wedge member along the transmission axis to a motion of the first inverted wedge member along the actuation axis for moving the second mold chase.

Provided is a structure in which an inserted article is easily inserted and a product is easily released from a die after molding. The structure includes a positioning mechanism which is vertically arranged on one split die, includes a positioning pin having a tapered distal end, and positions the inserted article by engaging the inserted article with the positioning pin, a stop mechanism that has a spring means assembled with the one split die and a stopper portion held by the spring means, and temporarily stops movement of the other split die when the other split die comes into contact with the stopper portion at the time of mold clamping, and a pressing mechanism that has a spring assembled with the other split die, a pusher pin, a spring assembled with the one split die, and a pusher pin, and elastically presses the inserted article by the pusher pin.

Provided is a structure in which an inserted article is easily inserted and a product is easily released from a die after molding. The structure includes a positioning mechanism which is vertically arranged on one split die, includes a positioning pin having a tapered distal end, and positions the inserted article by engaging the inserted article with the positioning pin, a stop mechanism that has a spring means assembled with the one split die and a stopper portion held by the spring means, and temporarily stops movement of the other split die when the other split die comes into contact with the stopper portion at the time of mold clamping, and a pressing mechanism that has a spring assembled with the other split die, a pusher pin, a spring assembled with the one split die, and a pusher pin, and elastically presses the inserted article by the pusher pin.

A method of molding a green tire having a first and second bead area is described herein, wherein the method includes the steps of: inserting a tire clamping device inside a tire bladder and then inserting the tire clamping device and the bladder into the green tire, aligning the outer surfaces of the tire clamping device into engagement with a respective bead area of the tire so that each tire bead area is clamped between a respective upper and a lower mold ring and the tire clamping device during cure. A tire clamping device includes an inner portion, and a plurality of segments connected to the inner portion, wherein the tire clamping device has a closed position wherein the plurality of segments together forms a first and second ring for engagement with the bead areas of the tire so clamp the bead areas between the clamping device and the mold rings during cure.

A method of molding a green tire having a first and second bead area is described herein, wherein the method includes the steps of: inserting a tire clamping device inside a tire bladder and then inserting the tire clamping device and the bladder into the green tire, aligning the outer surfaces of the tire clamping device into engagement with a respective bead area of the tire so that each tire bead area is clamped between a respective upper and a lower mold ring and the tire clamping device during cure. A tire clamping device includes an inner portion, and a plurality of segments connected to the inner portion, wherein the tire clamping device has a closed position wherein the plurality of segments together forms a first and second ring for engagement with the bead areas of the tire so clamp the bead areas between the clamping device and the mold rings during cure.

Embodiments relate to automating removal of an untrimmed shell from a mold. In one embodiment, a shell removal device includes a body and a platform disposed within the body. The platform is configured to secure a mold that has an untrimmed shell formed over the mold. The shell removal device further includes a cover configured to secure the untrimmed shell to an upper surface of one or more sidewalls of the body and provide a seal between a lower surface of the untrimmed shell and the upper surface of the one or more sidewalls of the body. The shell removal device may include a media inlet in the body to permit pressurized media into the interior of the body to cause a pressure differential between an upper surface of the untrimmed shell and the lower surface of the untrimmed shell to cause the untrimmed shell to release from the mold.

Embodiments relate to automating removal of an untrimmed shell from a mold. In one embodiment, a shell removal device includes a body and a platform disposed within the body. The platform is configured to secure a mold that has an untrimmed shell formed over the mold. The shell removal device further includes a cover configured to secure the untrimmed shell to an upper surface of one or more sidewalls of the body and provide a seal between a lower surface of the untrimmed shell and the upper surface of the one or more sidewalls of the body. The shell removal device may include a media inlet in the body to permit pressurized media into the interior of the body to cause a pressure differential between an upper surface of the untrimmed shell and the lower surface of the untrimmed shell to cause the untrimmed shell to release from the mold.

For fixating a blade segment (1a) of a rotor blade of a wind turbine to a mould (20a), in which the blade segment is manufactured, a fixing device (10) is provided comprising a first portion (11) for selectively applying a clamping force on the fixating extension and a second portion (12) for fixating the fixing device to the mould. In the fixing device (10) one of the first and second portions comprises a cylinder portion (15a) with a threaded structure, and a threaded abutment structure (15b) encircling the cylinder portion and engaging its threaded structure. The respective other portion comprises an aperture (14) and a recess with a second abutment structure (16a) within the aperture. The aperture (14) is adapted to receive the cylinder portion (15a) such that the cylinder portion (15a) protrudes the aperture (14) along its cylinder axis, and the second abutment structure (16a) is adapted to engage and exert a force on the threaded abutment structure (15b) in a direction parallel to the cylinder axis. One of the first and second portions (11,12) comprises a lateral opening (18) allowing a retaining web (19a) of the respective other portion to abut therein.

For fixating a blade segment (1a) of a rotor blade of a wind turbine to a mould (20a), in which the blade segment is manufactured, a fixing device (10) is provided comprising a first portion (11) for selectively applying a clamping force on the fixating extension and a second portion (12) for fixating the fixing device to the mould. In the fixing device (10) one of the first and second portions comprises a cylinder portion (15a) with a threaded structure, and a threaded abutment structure (15b) encircling the cylinder portion and engaging its threaded structure. The respective other portion comprises an aperture (14) and a recess with a second abutment structure (16a) within the aperture. The aperture (14) is adapted to receive the cylinder portion (15a) such that the cylinder portion (15a) protrudes the aperture (14) along its cylinder axis, and the second abutment structure (16a) is adapted to engage and exert a force on the threaded abutment structure (15b) in a direction parallel to the cylinder axis. One of the first and second portions (11,12) comprises a lateral opening (18) allowing a retaining web (19a) of the respective other portion to abut therein.