A tooling system may comprise a device configured to communicate with an identifier of a machine tool and a tool database having tool information including a predefined proximity associated with the identifier. The device may be configured to automatically activate, without a user-initiated scan, communication with at least one of the machine tool and the tool database in response to the identifier being within the predefined proximity. The device may also be configured to transfer tool information of the machine tool with respect to the tool database.

When cleaning a mold using a mold cleaning system, three-dimensional image data of a molding surface of the mold is acquired by a camera, movement of arms is controlled by a control device based on the acquired image data, and a laser head is moved along the molding surface while a laser beam provided from a laser oscillator is irradiated to remove contamination adhered to the molding surface. Cleaning is performed on a specific site, using a relatively small laser head, or also using a relatively large laser head, or cleaning is performed using a laser head having a variable laser irradiation width and setting an appropriate laser irradiation width for each site to be cleaned.

A mold test apparatus includes a mold support plate having a top surface on which a mold is mounted, wherein the mold support plate includes a plurality of test suction pipes communicating with paths in the mold, vacuum pipes each having one end connected to one of the plurality of test suction pipes, a pump connected to the other end of the pipe, and at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the vacuum pipe, wherein the paths communicate with adsorption holes provided in a top surface of the mold, and wherein the at least one pressure sensor includes a determining unit configured to determine whether the adsorption holes are clogged by using the measured pressure.

Provided is a management device capable of communicating with a counting device that counts the number mold opening and closing cycles. The management device includes a memory and a processor. The processor outputs one or more index values that can be used for determining a next maintenance timing, by using a first value that is a count value acquired from the counting device, and one or more second values that are count values, at a last maintenance time, stored in the memory.

A method for determining whether or not a single use mold is acceptable, comprises providing a closed lens mold (1) comprising two lens mold halves, and having a first and a second optical lens molding surface forming a molding cavity (15) and defining a molding cavity thickness therebetween, providing at least one interferometer (3), each having at least one thickness measurement beam (31), providing a lens mold holder (2), positioning the lens mold (1) such that the thickness measurement beam (31) of the interferometer (3) impinges on the lens mold (1) for measurement of the distance between the two molding surfaces surrounding the molding cavity (15), measuring the thickness profile of the molding cavity (15) with the interferometer (3) on at least three positions of the molding cavity (15) of the lens mold (1), comparing the measured thickness profile with a predetermined thickness profile to determine whether or not the lens mold (1) is acceptable.

A process and assembly for producing a structural article, as well as an article produced according to any process and assembly. A mold has a base and a hinged lid, either or both of which include a cavity interior which defines a negative of the structural article to be produced. A structural insert placed within the mold, prior or subsequent to a plasticized and structural forming foam material also being placed within the mold. The foam cures and sets in encapsulating fashion around the insert so that, upon removal, the insert is coated within the formed material.

A tooling system may comprise a device configured to communicate with an identifier of a machine tool and a tool database having tool information including a predefined proximity associated with the identifier. The device may be configured to automatically activate, without a user-initiated scan, communication with at least one of the machine tool and the tool database in response to the identifier being within the predefined proximity. The device may also be configured to transfer tool information of the machine tool with respect to the tool database.

A punch pin hole inspection apparatus and method uses a punch and a die capable of checking defects or damage, specifically pin holes or microcracks, due to shaping immediately after finishing shaping a laminate sheet into a battery case using the punch.

In embodiments described herein, it may be determined when to replace a degraded slush mold with a non-degraded slush mold by a method that may comprise monitoring a sample media while repeatedly contacting a surface of the sample media with an abrasive material to determine the number of contactings required to reduce a grain height of the surface of the sample media to a threshold grain height. The repeated contactings of the abrasive solution with the surface of the sample media may reduce the grain height of the sample media. The surface of the sample media may comprise a material substantially identical to the material of at least a portion of a forming surface of the slush mold.

A tooling system may comprise a tool scanner, a tool database, and a user interface device. The tool scanner may be configured to scan a tool identifier on a tool. The tool database may have tool information associated with the tool identifier. The user interface device may be in communication with the tool scanner and the tool database. The user interface device may receive tool information from the tool database in response to the scan by the tool scanner, concurrently display a tool issue description and a tool issue image from the tool information of the tool database, receive a tool area selection with respect to the tool issue image, and provide access to a tool issue history from the tool database in response to the tool area selection.