Particular embodiments of the invention include apparatus and methods for compensating for shrinkage of a polymeric material in a mold during curing operations. Embodiments of the method include providing a mold comprising a molding cavity defining an interior mold volume separated from an exterior environment and introducing a volume of polymeric material into the molding cavity. Such methods further include impeding the development of a void in the volume of polymeric material by, either: isolating the volume of polymeric material within the molding cavity from the exterior environment, or reducing the interior mold volume of the molding cavity to at least substantially consume a volume of polymeric material shrinkage. Such methods further include curing the polymeric material to form a molded polymeric form.

Particular embodiments of the invention include apparatus and methods for compensating for shrinkage of a polymeric material in a mold during curing operations. Embodiments of the method include providing a mold comprising a molding cavity defining an interior mold volume separated from an exterior environment and introducing a volume of polymeric material into the molding cavity. Such methods further include impeding the development of a void in the volume of polymeric material by, either: isolating the volume of polymeric material within the molding cavity from the exterior environment, or reducing the interior mold volume of the molding cavity to at least substantially consume a volume of polymeric material shrinkage. Such methods further include curing the polymeric material to form a molded polymeric form.

An optical device manufacturing method and an optical device capable of forming a desired cured resin layer regardless of shapes of cover members. The method includes closely laminating a cover member having an opening onto a mold member having a fitting projection which fits to the opening so that the fitting projection is fitted to the opening to form a hollow laminated body capable of being filled with a curable resin; filling the hollow portion of the laminated body with the curable resin; curing the curable resin to form a cured resin layer on the cover member; peeling off the mold member from the cover member; and bonding the cured resin layer and an optical member.

A molding method for producing a screw drill stator using an elastomer material includes: S1. sequentially roughening, cleaning and drying an inner surface of the stator tube; mixing an adhesive and a diluent, coating the mixture obtained on the inner surface, and heating it for later use; S2, uniformly coating a mold release agent on a surface of a mandrel mold, and heating or drying it naturally for later use; S3. assembling the processed stator tube and the processed mandrel mold to obtain an assembled mold; S4. performing a vacuum defoaming under negative pressure on a mixture obtained by uniformly mixing a prepolymer of the elastomer material with a defoaming agent; S5. uniformly mixing the defoamed prepolymer of the elastomer material with a curing agent, and pouring the obtained mixture into the assembled mold, sealing and curing the poured assembled mold by hierarchical heating to obtain the stator.

A molding method for producing a screw drill stator using an elastomer material includes: S1. sequentially roughening, cleaning and drying an inner surface of the stator tube; mixing an adhesive and a diluent, coating the mixture obtained on the inner surface, and heating it for later use; S2, uniformly coating a mold release agent on a surface of a mandrel mold, and heating or drying it naturally for later use; S3. assembling the processed stator tube and the processed mandrel mold to obtain an assembled mold; S4. performing a vacuum defoaming under negative pressure on a mixture obtained by uniformly mixing a prepolymer of the elastomer material with a defoaming agent; S5. uniformly mixing the defoamed prepolymer of the elastomer material with a curing agent, and pouring the obtained mixture into the assembled mold, sealing and curing the poured assembled mold by hierarchical heating to obtain the stator.

A mold for encapsulating an electrical component. The mold includes an encapsulation chamber and an air inlet. The encapsulation chamber is defined by a housing, an open top, and a solid bottom. The housing includes a solid outer wall, a permeable inner wall, and an air chamber between the solid outer wall and the inner wall. The air inlet is configured to introduce a gas into the air chamber. The encapsulation chamber is sized and shaped to receive the electrical component while leaving a gap for the introduction of encapsulant around the electrical component. The encapsulant may be silicone rubber. To remove an encapsulated electrical component, pressurized air may be introduced through the air inlet into the air chamber, passing through the permeable inner wall, separating the outer surface of the encapsulant from the housing, and allowing the combination casting to be removed from the mold.

A mold for encapsulating an electrical component. The mold includes an encapsulation chamber and an air inlet. The encapsulation chamber is defined by a housing, an open top, and a solid bottom. The housing includes a solid outer wall, a permeable inner wall, and an air chamber between the solid outer wall and the inner wall. The air inlet is configured to introduce a gas into the air chamber. The encapsulation chamber is sized and shaped to receive the electrical component while leaving a gap for the introduction of encapsulant around the electrical component. The encapsulant may be silicone rubber. To remove an encapsulated electrical component, pressurized air may be introduced through the air inlet into the air chamber, passing through the permeable inner wall, separating the outer surface of the encapsulant from the housing, and allowing the combination casting to be removed from the mold.

A manufacturing procedure for ceiling trims for vehicles, the structure of which comprises at least one first coating sheet and at least one second coating sheet that extend along one of the sides of the first sheet, joined via a layer of heat-stable polyurethane adhesive, comprising a step of applying a gas-phase catalyst on such sheets through a thermoforming mould that starts before the mould is completely closed and ends before the mould is completely opened. As a result of said application of a gas-phase catalyst we prevent the use of demoulding agents to facilitate extraction of the ceiling trim formed inside the mould.

A manufacturing procedure for ceiling trims for vehicles, the structure of which comprises at least one first coating sheet and at least one second coating sheet that extend along one of the sides of the first sheet, joined via a layer of heat-stable polyurethane adhesive, comprising a step of applying a gas-phase catalyst on such sheets through a thermoforming mould that starts before the mould is completely closed and ends before the mould is completely opened. As a result of said application of a gas-phase catalyst we prevent the use of demoulding agents to facilitate extraction of the ceiling trim formed inside the mould.

The invention relates to molding of a roller in which a roller body is provided integrally on the outer periphery of an axial core member, and the objective of the invention is to prevent the generation of a thin burr, and damage to the die. In order to achieve this objective, a die is provided with a first split die and a second split die which can butt against one another or separate from one another at mutually-opposing parting surfaces. A roller body molding surface, a cavity being defined between the axial core member and the roller body molding surface when the mold is clamped; and recessed portions which are located at both end portions of the supporting portions and extend along the parting surfaces, and which are not in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the axial core member when the mold is clamped.