There is provided a forming apparatus for constraining a composite charge and forming the composite charge into a highly contoured composite structure. The forming apparatus includes a first die and a second die between which the composite charge is formed. The first die has pairs of first die portions spaced apart to define a die cavity into which the composite charge is formed into a contoured hat section having a cap. The forming apparatus includes a constraining assembly having a constraining device positioned in the die cavity. The constraining device is designed to constrain a cap portion, and to apply an upward resistive force against the cap portion, and against a downward compressive force applied by the second die, to provide wrinkle prevention in the cap as the contoured hat section is formed. The constraining assembly has a retaining element to retain the constraining device.

Provided is a mold clamping device that can simplify the component count or structure by including a mold thickness adjustment mechanism that reduces the load on a power source, is easily maintained, and has high design flexibility. Also provided is a mold clamping device that can set a long distance (daylight) between molds without having to upsize the entire mold clamping device and can simplify the component count or structure.

A mold clamping device for split molds includes a first platen, a second platen, a pressure receiving platen, and a mold thickness adjustment mechanism disposed on the pressure receiving platen. At least one of the first platen and the second platen is able to move back and forth so as to approach or depart from the other. The pressure receiving platen is located on a side remote from the first platen, of the second platen. The mold thickness adjustment mechanism includes a rod-shaped rotation member, a power source configured to rotate the rotation member around a rotation axis of the rotation member, the rotation axis being parallel to a longitudinal direction of the rotation member, and a pair of converters configured to convert rotation direction of the rotation member into a movement direction of the second platen. A mold clamping device for split molds includes polygonal first and second platens, a pressure receiving platen, and a toggle mechanism. At least one of the first platen and the second platen is able to move back and forth so as to approach or depart from the other. The pressure receiving platen is located on a side remote from the first platen, of the second platen. The toggle mechanism is disposed between the second platen and the pressure receiving platen and on a diagonal line of the second platen and configured to cause the first and second platens to approach or depart from each other.

Provided is a mold clamping device that can simplify the component count or structure by including a mold thickness adjustment mechanism that reduces the load on a power source, is easily maintained, and has high design flexibility. Also provided is a mold clamping device that can set a long distance (daylight) between molds without having to upsize the entire mold clamping device and can simplify the component count or structure.

A mold clamping device for split molds includes a first platen, a second platen, a pressure receiving platen, and a mold thickness adjustment mechanism disposed on the pressure receiving platen. At least one of the first platen and the second platen is able to move back and forth so as to approach or depart from the other. The pressure receiving platen is located on a side remote from the first platen, of the second platen. The mold thickness adjustment mechanism includes a rod-shaped rotation member, a power source configured to rotate the rotation member around a rotation axis of the rotation member, the rotation axis being parallel to a longitudinal direction of the rotation member, and a pair of converters configured to convert rotation direction of the rotation member into a movement direction of the second platen. A mold clamping device for split molds includes polygonal first and second platens, a pressure receiving platen, and a toggle mechanism. At least one of the first platen and the second platen is able to move back and forth so as to approach or depart from the other. The pressure receiving platen is located on a side remote from the first platen, of the second platen. The toggle mechanism is disposed between the second platen and the pressure receiving platen and on a diagonal line of the second platen and configured to cause the first and second platens to approach or depart from each other.

A tie-bar-less clamping unit for a moulding machine includes a machine frame formed for absorbing clamping forces, and a fixed platen arranged stationary in relation to the machine frame. A movable platen can move relative to the machine frame, and at least one push rod is preferably arranged substantially centrally with respect to the movable platen. At least one pressure pad is arranged between the push rod and the movable platen.

A tie-bar-less clamping unit for a moulding machine includes a machine frame formed for absorbing clamping forces, and a fixed platen arranged stationary in relation to the machine frame. A movable platen can move relative to the machine frame, and at least one push rod is preferably arranged substantially centrally with respect to the movable platen. At least one pressure pad is arranged between the push rod and the movable platen.

An apparatus and method are provided for forming a pouch case with improved forming quality and minimized surface contact between the forming apparatus and the pouch case in the forming process to form a pouch cup. The apparatus includes a mold on which a pouch case with a plate shape can be placed, wherein the mold bulges upwards, a chamber open at bottom to the pouch case and the mold, the chamber having an inner space in which the mold can be received by lift-up of the mold or lift-down of the chamber, wherein the chamber is seated on an edge portion of the pouch case, and the chamber is equipped with a fluid input valve at top and a fluid output valve at bottom, and a fluid supply unit configured to supply a fluid via the fluid input valve to carry out pressure forming of the pouch case.

A mold includes a guide pin configured to guide mold closing. The guide pin is housed in a guide pin housing hole formed in a parting line and is configured to be driven by a predetermined drive mechanism. The guide pin is configured to protrude its tip end from the parting line and to retract into the guide pin housing hole by the drive mechanism.

A mold includes a guide pin configured to guide mold closing. The guide pin is housed in a guide pin housing hole formed in a parting line and is configured to be driven by a predetermined drive mechanism. The guide pin is configured to protrude its tip end from the parting line and to retract into the guide pin housing hole by the drive mechanism.

An arrangement for receiving a multi-part casting mold, in particular an at least two-part blow mold. A drive unit for displacing locking elements has a main cylinder with a main piston and a travel cylinder with a travel piston, wherein the travel cylinder is connected with the main piston of the main cylinder and is movable therewith. The travel piston has a piston rod, which is connected with the locking element and is mounted concentrically displaceably in the main piston. In the operating condition of the molding process, the travel piston abuts on the main piston, wherein the main cylinder provides the locking force to keep the mold closed during the molding process.

An arrangement for receiving a multi-part casting mold, in particular an at least two-part blow mold. A drive unit for displacing locking elements has a main cylinder with a main piston and a travel cylinder with a travel piston, wherein the travel cylinder is connected with the main piston of the main cylinder and is movable therewith. The travel piston has a piston rod, which is connected with the locking element and is mounted concentrically displaceably in the main piston. In the operating condition of the molding process, the travel piston abuts on the main piston, wherein the main cylinder provides the locking force to keep the mold closed during the molding process.