A mold for producing a metal-resin composite by press-forming a metal member and integrally molding the metal member that is press-formed and a resin material includes an upper mold and a lower mold that sandwich the metal member and the resin material. The upper mold includes a first press surface for press-forming the metal member and a second press surface for integrally molding the metal member and the resin material. A distance between the first press surface and the lower mold is shorter than a distance between the second press surface and the lower mold.

A method for making a three-dimensional composite part with a thermoplastic matrix and continuous reinforcement. A pre-impregnated fibrous perform is obtained by three-dimensional knitting. The preform is placed on the punch or in the matrix of a tooling, defining between them a sealed closed cavity. The tooling is closed so as to apply a first pressure to the preform. The cavity is brought to the melting temperature of the polymer impregnating the preform by maintaining the first pressure. The cavity comprising the preform is cooled to a temperature suitable for demolding by maintaining the second pressure. The mold is opened and the part is demolded.

A method of curing spokes (10) is provided in which first molds of a first (14) and second series (16) of molds are placed into a platen, and force and heat applied. The platen (12) is opened and the first mold (1(1)) of the first series (14) is moved relative to the platen while the position of the first mold (1(2)) of the second series (16) is kept the same relative to the platen. Force and heat are applied to the molds. The platen (12) is opened, and the first mold (1(1)) of the first series is removed while the second mold (2(1)) of the first series is kept within the platen. A cured spoke is removed from the first mold of the first series.

A method of curing spokes (10) is provided in which first molds of a first (14) and second series (16) of molds are placed into a platen, and force and heat applied. The platen (12) is opened and the first mold (1(1)) of the first series (14) is moved relative to the platen while the position of the first mold (1(2)) of the second series (16) is kept the same relative to the platen. Force and heat are applied to the molds. The platen (12) is opened, and the first mold (1(1)) of the first series is removed while the second mold (2(1)) of the first series is kept within the platen. A cured spoke is removed from the first mold of the first series.

An electrical connector with thin interior walls is made by extruding a polymer or polymer composite into a sheet of approximately 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm thickness. The sheet is then calendered to a thickness of about 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm. The calendered sheet is cut into notched sections. The notched sections are assembled and placed into an injection molded housing of a connector. The sections are secured in place by using an adhesive, force fit, snap fit, or welding process to form the thin interior walls of the connector.

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.

Described is a rosin press system for extracting rosin (oil) from plant material. The rosin press system includes a male plate with a male protrusion and a female plate formed to matingly receive the male protrusion. The plates can be heated such that when plant material is pressed between the plates, rosin is pressed from the plant material and allowed to drain from a drain hole positioned at the middle of the female plate.

Described is a rosin press system for extracting rosin (oil) from plant material. The rosin press system includes a male plate with a male protrusion and a female plate formed to matingly receive the male protrusion. The plates can be heated such that when plant material is pressed between the plates, rosin is pressed from the plant material and allowed to drain from a drain hole positioned at the middle of the female plate.

A method for preparing a part using a rigid tool surface having a shape. The method includes applying a breather sheet comprising gas-permeable material over the rigid tool surface. A vacuum bag is applied over the breather sheet, and a vacuum pressure is applied underneath the vacuum bag to conform the breather sheet and the vacuum bag to the shape of the rigid tool surface. A resin pre-impregnated ply is applied over the vacuum bag, and the part is positioned over the ply.

A method for preparing a part using a rigid tool surface having a shape. The method includes applying a breather sheet comprising gas-permeable material over the rigid tool surface. A vacuum bag is applied over the breather sheet, and a vacuum pressure is applied underneath the vacuum bag to conform the breather sheet and the vacuum bag to the shape of the rigid tool surface. A resin pre-impregnated ply is applied over the vacuum bag, and the part is positioned over the ply.