Plant (2) for the production of slabs made of composite stone material from a mix (M) containing granules of stone or ceramic or glass material and a binder, comprising at least one temporary support or mould (S), a distributor for the mix (M) designed to distribute a layer of mix (M) on the temporary support or mould (S), a station (4) for performing compaction by means of vacuum vibro-compression of the mix (M) arranged on the temporary support or mould (S) and a station for hardening the mix (M) so as to form the finished slabs. The plant (2) comprises a device (1) positioned downstream of the distributor and upstream of the compaction station (4) and comprising means (16) which act on the top surface of the mix (M) for pre-compaction and levelling of the mix (M) arranged on the temporary support or mould (S). The invention also relates to a method for the production of slabs of composite stone material from a mix (M).

A data generation method generates data for controlling an arrangement step in an imprint process that includes the arrangement step of arranging an imprint material on a substrate, a contact step of bringing the imprint material and a pattern portion of a mold into contact with each other, and a curing step of curing the imprint material. The method includes performing a first step of determining a plurality of first positions, based on information related to a boundary of the pattern portion in the substrate, as positions where the imprint material is to be arranged, and performing a second step of determining, after the first step, a plurality of second positions different from the plurality of first positions, as positions where the imprint material is to be further arranged.

A data generation method generates data for controlling an arrangement step in an imprint process that includes the arrangement step of arranging an imprint material on a substrate, a contact step of bringing the imprint material and a pattern portion of a mold into contact with each other, and a curing step of curing the imprint material. The method includes performing a first step of determining a plurality of first positions, based on information related to a boundary of the pattern portion in the substrate, as positions where the imprint material is to be arranged, and performing a second step of determining, after the first step, a plurality of second positions different from the plurality of first positions, as positions where the imprint material is to be further arranged.

A molded fiber part production line includes a forming station, a part transfer system, a press station, and a removal system. The forming station includes a slurry tank, a forming mold, and a mold actuation system. The part transfer system includes a part transfer feature and a conveyance mechanism. The press station includes a core mold, a cavity mold compatible with the core mold, and a press actuation system. The removal system includes a removal feature defining a plurality of part vacuum channels and a plurality of trim vacuum channels. The removal system also includes a conveyance mechanism for moving the removal feature from a position in engagement with at least one of the core mold and the cavity mold to another position.

A molded fiber part production line includes a forming station, a part transfer system, a press station, and a removal system. The forming station includes a slurry tank, a forming mold, and a mold actuation system. The part transfer system includes a part transfer feature and a conveyance mechanism. The press station includes a core mold, a cavity mold compatible with the core mold, and a press actuation system. The removal system includes a removal feature defining a plurality of part vacuum channels and a plurality of trim vacuum channels. The removal system also includes a conveyance mechanism for moving the removal feature from a position in engagement with at least one of the core mold and the cavity mold to another position.

In a the vacuum forming machine having a pre-blowing lower chamber, a lower space located at the lower side of a raw material which is thermally expanded in a heating process for vacuum forming is sealed and the preset amount of air is introduced into the lower space of the raw material by a blowing device installed to communicate with the sealed lower space of the raw material such that the sagging of the raw material is prevented, whereby the vacuum forming of the raw material whose entire portion is uniformly heated is performed, thereby securing even thickness of the raw material.

In a the vacuum forming machine having a pre-blowing lower chamber, a lower space located at the lower side of a raw material which is thermally expanded in a heating process for vacuum forming is sealed and the preset amount of air is introduced into the lower space of the raw material by a blowing device installed to communicate with the sealed lower space of the raw material such that the sagging of the raw material is prevented, whereby the vacuum forming of the raw material whose entire portion is uniformly heated is performed, thereby securing even thickness of the raw material.

A method for manufacturing a board element, such as a floor element, including an at least partially recycled board layer. The method includes providing a pre-processed material from at least one weight-reduced preformed board element, preferably being obtained by removal of material from a rear side thereof, wherein the pre-processed material includes a thermoplastic material, and providing a virgin material including a thermoplastic material. The method further includes applying heat and pressure to the pre-processed material and the virgin material in a double-belt press to form the board layer, and forming a board element comprising the board layer. Also, a corresponding assembly for manufacturing of a board element.

A method for manufacturing a board element, such as a floor element, including an at least partially recycled board layer. The method includes providing a pre-processed material from at least one weight-reduced preformed board element, preferably being obtained by removal of material from a rear side thereof, wherein the pre-processed material includes a thermoplastic material, and providing a virgin material including a thermoplastic material. The method further includes applying heat and pressure to the pre-processed material and the virgin material in a double-belt press to form the board layer, and forming a board element comprising the board layer. Also, a corresponding assembly for manufacturing of a board element.

A method for molding a composite material includes arranging a prepreg on a jig molding surface of a jig for molding. The method includes sealing a first endless seal region that surrounds the prepreg is formed by bonding a resin bag and the jig molding surface by a first sealing material and a second endless seal region that surrounds the prepreg and is positioned outside the first seal region is formed by bonding a resin bag and the jig molding surface by a second sealing material. The method includes depressurizing a first space inside the first seal region and a second space between the first seal region and the second seal region are depressurized. The method includes thermally curing the prepreg by supplying a water vapor into the internal space of a pressure vessel, while holding the pressure vessel in a sealed state.