A conveyance apparatus loads a pressing member to a planarization apparatus that forms a planarized film made of a material on a substrate by bringing a flat surface of the pressing member and the material on the substrate into contact with each other. The pressing member includes a first surface including the flat surface, and a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface. The conveyance apparatus comprises a determiner configured to perform determination as to whether a determination surface of the pressing member is the first surface or the second surface, and a controller configured to control the conveyance of the pressing member based on a result of the determination by the determiner.

A conveyance apparatus loads a pressing member to a planarization apparatus that forms a planarized film made of a material on a substrate by bringing a flat surface of the pressing member and the material on the substrate into contact with each other. The pressing member includes a first surface including the flat surface, and a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface. The conveyance apparatus comprises a determiner configured to perform determination as to whether a determination surface of the pressing member is the first surface or the second surface, and a controller configured to control the conveyance of the pressing member based on a result of the determination by the determiner.

A mould for the production of closures with tear-off membrane in a compression moulding machine, comprises: a male die element including a first abutment surface and a female die element movable relative to each other along a moulding orientation. The mould is positionable between a closed configuration, in which the male die element and the female die element are in contact with each other, and an open configuration, in which the male die element and the female die element are spaced apart. The female die element includes: a first block, a second block and a third block, aligned with each other and movable along the moulding orientation; a first spring, interposed between the first block and the second block; a second spring, interposed between the second block and the third block and configured to apply an opening force along the moulding orientation. The first spring is configured to apply a closing force along the moulding orientation to keep the second block and the first block in contact with each other when no other forces are applied.

A mould for the production of closures with tear-off membrane in a compression moulding machine, comprises: a male die element including a first abutment surface and a female die element movable relative to each other along a moulding orientation. The mould is positionable between a closed configuration, in which the male die element and the female die element are in contact with each other, and an open configuration, in which the male die element and the female die element are spaced apart. The female die element includes: a first block, a second block and a third block, aligned with each other and movable along the moulding orientation; a first spring, interposed between the first block and the second block; a second spring, interposed between the second block and the third block and configured to apply an opening force along the moulding orientation. The first spring is configured to apply a closing force along the moulding orientation to keep the second block and the first block in contact with each other when no other forces are applied.

A distributor device for use in a filling shoe for filling a mould cavity of a powder compression die, the distributor device having an inlet portion connectable to a powder supply; an outlet portion with an outlet opening; and a distributor portion arranged between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The distributor portion includes one or more guide elements arranged to divide the distributor portion into a plurality of distributor channels. The distributor channels have an input with an input cross-sectional area at an upstream end of the distributor channel and an output with an output cross-sectional area at a downstream end of the distributor channel, wherein the input cross-sectional area differs from the output cross-sectional area for at least one of the distributor channels.

A metal-powder and/or ceramic-powder press device includes at least one first punch (11) which, in a pressing position, is arranged to pass from a first side into a die opening, filled with ceramic and/or metal powder, of a die (13). At least one second punch (12), in the pressing position, is arranged to pass from a second side into the die opening, filled with ceramic and/or metal powder, of the die (13). A position measuring device determines a position of the first punch (11) and includes a first measuring element (16) and a second measuring element (19). The first measuring element (16) is connectable to the first punch (11) and the second measuring element (19) is connectable to the second punch (12), such that a relative position of the measuring elements to one another changes during the pressing operation. A sensor device determines the change in the relative position.

A metal-powder and/or ceramic-powder press device includes at least one first punch (11) which, in a pressing position, is arranged to pass from a first side into a die opening, filled with ceramic and/or metal powder, of a die (13). At least one second punch (12), in the pressing position, is arranged to pass from a second side into the die opening, filled with ceramic and/or metal powder, of the die (13). A position measuring device determines a position of the first punch (11) and includes a first measuring element (16) and a second measuring element (19). The first measuring element (16) is connectable to the first punch (11) and the second measuring element (19) is connectable to the second punch (12), such that a relative position of the measuring elements to one another changes during the pressing operation. A sensor device determines the change in the relative position.

The pressing of an article is achieved with a closed-loop feedback press. The closed-loop feedback press is effective to measure an amount of pressure applied and adjust the pressure to achieve a prescribed amount of compression on the article. Further, the press may leverage a closed-loop feedback system to maintain a consistent temperature of one or more platens. The press is able to adjust a pressure applied one or more times during a pressing operation to accelerate a temperature change in the pressed article while reducing the pressure applied as the temperature approaches a target temperature to limit unintentional deformation and bleeding of the pressed material of the article.

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.

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.