In one embodiment, a system for conditioning a preform for molding includes a heating cavity for receiving the preform, a heater configured to heat a gas, and a blower configured to force the gas heated by the heater into the heating cavity. In another embodiment, a method of conditioning a preform for molding includes positioning the preform in a heating cavity and forcing a heated gas into the heating cavity onto an exterior surface of the preform.

A system for molding an object includes an articulated mold having an axis and a plurality of mold portions configured to collectively define a molding cavity for shaping the object when arranged in respective molding positions. The system includes a plurality of actuators, each operatively coupled to a respective mold portion and configured to move the respective mold portion along the axis from the respective molding position toward a respective ejecting position for releasing the object. The system includes a controller in communication with each of the plurality of actuators and configured to independently activate each of the plurality of actuators such that one of the plurality of mold portions moves along the axis from the respective molding position toward the respective ejecting position while at least one other of the plurality of mold portions remains stationary relative to the object in order to at least partially support the object.

An actuator system for use in a mold system includes a first actuator operatively coupled to a first mold portion and configured to move the first mold portion along an axis in a first direction from a first molding position toward a first ejecting position. The system also includes a second actuator operatively coupled to a second mold portion and configured to move the second mold portion along the axis in the first direction from a second molding position toward a second ejecting position. The system further includes a controller in communication with the first and second actuators and configured to independently activate the first and second actuators.

A method of moulding (10; 20) and apparatus (108; 208; 308) therefor, in which a workpiece (100) is preheated and/or post-cooled before and/or after a moulding process, allowing optimal use of the tool for high precision moulding operations.

A method of continuously manufacturing a cured membrane includes continuously compounding and mixing a vulcanizable rubber composition in a mixing extruder while continuously removing gasses from the vulcanizable rubber composition during mixing with a vacuum. The vulcanizable rubber composition may be continuously extruded to form an extrudate, which may be continuously calendered to form a green membrane. The green membrane may be continuously cured, such as by a hot air conveyor curing system, to form a cured membrane.

A method for making low shrink polyester films wherein the films are arranged in stacks, tentered, heat treated, and relaxed in unison. Also, polyester films produced by such method.

A high-pressure tank producing apparatus capable of reducing time for increasing temperature of a tank body. The apparatus that heats the tank body with fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin wound around its surface includes a heating chamber for housing the tank body and a retaining mechanism for retaining the tank body within the heating chamber, in which the heating chamber has an injection port for injecting heated gas onto the surface of the tank body and an exhaust port for discharging the gas to the outside of the heating chamber, the exhaust port being disposed in a position where the injection port is projected in a gas injecting direction, and the retaining mechanism retains the tank body in a region where the injection and exhaust ports overlap with each other as viewed from the gas injecting direction and in a position between the injection and exhaust ports.

A system for thermally bonding nonwoven fibers of assemblages of nonwoven fibers loosely held together may include a processing duct including an inlet end, an outlet end, and an intermediate portion extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The system also may include one or more heat inlets located in the intermediate portion and configured to facilitate introduction of heat and air flow into the intermediate portion. The system further may include an inlet air feed at the inlet end and configured to separate the assemblages upon entry into the inlet end and propel the assemblages into the intermediate portion. The system also may include one or more heating devices configured to heat the assemblages as the assemblages are conveyed toward the outlet end to form processed assemblages, each of the processed assemblages including at least some nonwoven fibers adhered to one another.

A method for sealing a telecommunications product is disclosed. The method includes securing a telecommunications product to an apparatus having heat blasters, and initiating a heat sealing operation that includes moving the heat blasters along a first plane toward a shrink wrap tubing until the heat blasters surround the shrink wrap tubing; delivering hot air from each heat blaster; and moving the heat blasters along a second plane along a predetermined length of the shrink wrap tubing, the second plane being orthogonal to the first plane.

In a shaping device, a sheet that distends due to being irradiated with electromagnetic waves is placed a conveyor belt. An irradiator irradiates the sheet placed on and conveyed by the conveyor belt with electromagnetic waves. At least one heater heats the conveyor belt.