A plant for the continuous vulcanisation of mixtures of natural or synthetic latex inside a plurality of vulcanisation moulds aligned close to each other, each including: a base and a lid able to be removably coupled; an advancing mechanism for advancing the moulds along guides inside a vulcanising oven; and a sprayer for spraying the mixture inside the bases before entry into the vulcanising oven. The plant includes: an assembly set and a disassembly set of the moulds, belonging respectively to the input station and to the output station of the vulcanising oven; a first transport mechanism for transferring each base from the disassembly set to the assembly set; a second transport mechanism for transferring each lid from the disassembly set to the assembly set. The vulcanising oven includes a tunnel with a radiofrequency set for vulcanising the mixture.

A conformable apparatus for treating a composite material. The conformable apparatus includes a contact layer that is conformable and includes a plurality of contact elements. Each contact element of the plurality of contact elements includes a first major side, a second major side opposed from said first major side, and at least one side surface extending between said first major side and said second major side. The contact layer further includes a contact surface at least partially defined by the first major sides of the plurality of contact elements and a backing surface at least partially defined by the second major sides of said plurality of contact elements. The conformable apparatus also includes a backing layer positioned against said backing surface of said contact layer.

A variable shaping form (10) includes a variable frame (12) and a variable support (16) extending within or across the frame. The shaping form (10) is selectively adjustable to vary the shape of the support (16) to define a variety of differently shaped contours, each of which approximates a doubly-ruled curved surface. The variable frame (12) may be defined by a plurality of frame portions (18, 19, 20, 21).

Flexible molds have an elastic membrane supported by modules, arranged next to one another along a horizontal longitudinal axis of the mold. Each module has traction units, each forming a respective group with a respective thrust unit, with the groups arranged opposite one another at a preset distance. Pairs of traction units are arranged opposite one another in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and the respective thrust units thereof are arranged therebetween. The modules hold the membrane with the mold via reinforced eyelets distributed on both edges parallel to the axis. Each traction unit has linear actuators arranged horizontally and another linear actuator arranged vertically, which together enable movement. The membrane is previously deformed according to an approximation of the prior design of a part to be molded, and prestressed according to a mathematical prediction of the deformation thereof after receiving a conglomerate in liquid or plastic state.

The present disclosure is directed to a mold assembly for vacuum forming a component. The mold assembly includes plurality of support plates and a plurality of mold plates removably coupled to the plurality of support plates. The plurality of mold plates is stacked and removably coupled together to form a mold configured for forming the component. Each mold plate including a first surface partially defining a top surface of the mold, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, a third surface extending from the first surface to the second surface, and a fourth surface spaced apart from the third surface and extending from the first surface to the second surface.

Systems and methods for supporting an object to be printed in an additive manufacturing process are disclosed. Support structures (202, 302, 402, 502, 602) are prefabricated and positioned in the build area of a 3D printing device prior to printing the 3D object. When the object has been printed, the support is removed and can be reused to print another object by repositioning the support structure in the building area of the additive manufacturing device.

Layers of composite material, such as pre-peg, may be deposited on a reconfigurable polymer mold. An array of actuated pins may deform the polymer mold into a desired 3D shape. The composite material may be inside a cavity formed by the mold and a flexible bag. A vacuum pump may remove air from the cavity, creating a partial vacuum. The partial vacuum may cause the flexible bag to press the composite tightly against the mold, so that the composite conforms to the desired 3D shape. One or more heating elements may be embedded in the mold and may heat the composite to cure the composite. Ball joints may connect the actuated pins to the polymer mold.

The invention relates to a crack-split moulding tool for producing a foam particle part, having two mould halves (2, 3). The mould halves (2, 3) are pivotably mounted relative to one another such that they can be arranged at a varying distance from each other in certain sections when being filled with foam particles and when pressing together, are moved together at a varying distance until in a closed position, due to a pivoting movement. As a result, it is possible to homogeneously compress areas of the moulding cavity (6) having a different thickness and to compress in a different manner, area having the same thickness.

A modular molding device for creating a mold for a blade segment of a wind turbine blade of a wind turbine, the modular molding device including: a flexible support plate forming the mold for the blade segment, at least one bending apparatus including at least a first end and a second end, the at least one bending apparatus attached to the support plate and configured to bend the support plate from a first support plate shape to at least one second support plate shape, and at least one connection means, which is configured to removably connect the flexible support plate of the modular molding device with at least one connection of a flexible support plate of another modular molding device is provided. Moreover, a molding system and a method for creating a mold for a blade segment of a wind turbine blade of a wind turbine is also provided.

A plurality of mold sections include end caps and a plurality of inner members, some of which define features, such as projections. Inner members are fastened between the end caps and define an open channel such that the end caps and interposed inner members define a volume and opening for molding a container, i.e., a female mold. Material is placed on inner surfaces of the inner members and end caps to form a container portion, such as a base or lid. The end caps and inner members may be disassembled and reassembled with a different number of inner members and used to form a container of a different size.