A thermoset polymerizable casting compound, formulated for production of kitchen sinks and sanitary ware, including: (a) at least one monofunctional acrylic and/or methacrylic monomer from recycled material and/or of plant or animal origin, (b) at least one polyfunctional acrylic and/or methacrylic biomonomer of plant or animal origin, (c) at least one polymer or copolymer selected from (co)polyacrylates, (co)polymethacrylates, polyols, polyesters, rosins, polyterpene resins, each from recycled material or of plant or animal origin, where the substances according to (a)-(c) form a polymer binder, and (d) inorganic and/or organic filler particles of natural origin or from recycled material. The proportion of the monofunctional acrylic and/or methacrylic monomer(s) and of the polyfunctional acrylic and methacrylic biomonomer(s) is 10-40% by weight, the proportion of the polymer(s) or copolymer(s) is 1-16% by weight, the proportion of the inorganic and/or organic filler particles is 44-89% by weight, and the polymer binder further includes at least one polymerizable terpene or derivatives thereof.

A sanitary basin molded part, for example a kitchen sink, a washbasin or a shower tray, has a main part (10) that has the shape of the sanitary basin molded part and ensures its mechanical stability. On the visible side of the sanitary basin molded part a covering layer (20) is arranged in at least one surface region on top of the main part (10). The covering layer includes a fibrous tissue (24) saturated with a cured binding agent. A method produces a sanitary basin molded part of this kind.

The improved mold assembly for cultured marble molding is provided. The mold assembly can comprise a male mold portion and a female mold portion. The assembly can further comprise a molding tool. The molding tool can have a side wall having an upper curved s and a lower curved portion. The molding tool can be constructed from a flexible and/or soft material. The lower curved portion of the molding tool can be coated with a gel coat having a first color. The molding tool can facilitate molding of a countertop having a recessed bowl portion having a color different from a counter portion of the countertop.

The improved mold assembly for cultured marble molding is provided. The mold assembly can comprise a male mold portion and a female mold portion. The assembly can further comprise a molding tool. The molding tool can have a side wall having an upper curved portion and a lower curved portion. The molding tool can have a bowl portion and an apron portion spaced from the bowl portion by a gap. The molding tool can be constructed from a flexible and/or soft material. The molding tool can facilitate molding of a countertop having at least one seamless curved edge and/or an at least partially seamless sink portion.

An assembly process for assembling a basin using a molding tool operable between an open position and a closed position, the molding tool having a female molding insert, a male molding insert, and an insert jig, the female molding insert and the male molding insert cooperating to define a mold cavity when the molding tool is in the closed position, the female molding insert having an aperture, the insert jig having a sleeve and a cylinder, the cylinder repositionable within the sleeve and having an end with an end face and a pin protruding from the end face, includes applying adhesive to the pin. The assembly process also includes aligning the pin with an aperture of a basin rim insert. The assembly process also includes pressing the basin rim insert towards the end face such that the pin is received within the aperture of the basin rim insert.

A forming device has a machine frame and a forming apparatus disposed on the machine frame. At least one heating chamber is disposed on the machine frame. A heatable support is received in the at least one heating chamber in a position of use for preheating semi-finished products and can be moved in a movement direction out of the at least one heating chamber into a removal position for removal of preheated semi-finished products from the support. In the removal position, the support is at least partially located adjacent to the machine frame and enables access to preheated semi-finished products. At least one heating device is associated with the at least one heating chamber and has one or more convection heating devices that discharge at least one directable heating air flow.

The improved mold assembly for cultured marble molding is provided. The mold assembly can comprise a male mold portion and a female mold portion. The assembly can further comprise a molding tool. The molding tool can have a side wall having an upper curved portion and a lower curved portion. The molding tool can have a bowl portion and an apron portion spaced from the bowl portion by a gap. The molding tool can be constructed from a flexible and/or soft material. The molding tool can facilitate molding of a countertop having at least one seamless curved edge and/or an at least partially seamless sink portion.

An assembly process for assembling a basin using a molding tool operable between an open position and a closed position, the molding tool having a female molding insert, a male molding insert, and an insert jig, the female molding insert and the male molding insert cooperating to define a mold cavity when the molding tool is in the closed position, the female molding insert having an aperture, the insert jig having a sleeve and a cylinder, the cylinder repositionable within the sleeve and having an end with an end face and a pin protruding from the end face, includes applying adhesive to the pin. The assembly process also includes aligning the pin with an aperture of a basin rim insert. The assembly process also includes pressing the basin rim insert towards the end face such that the pin is received within the aperture of the basin rim insert.

A cast-molded article in a composite material comprising a cured polymeric binder incorporating embedded particles of filler, characterized in that the binder incorporates randomly distributed fibers of polyamide, wherein the fibers have a length of 5-20 mm and a diameter of 0.05-0.2 mm and the fibers comprise 0.02-0.5 wt % based on the overall mass of the cast-molded article.

A method of making an article includes mixing a filler material and a polymer matrix material to produce a composite material, introducing the composite material produced by the mixing into a mold of a desired shape, and removing an article having the desired shape from the mold. The resulting article has a water absorption of less than about one percent and the filler material comprises vitreous china.