A plant for the continuous vulcanisation of mixtures of natural or synthetic latex inside a plurality of vulcanisation moulds aligned close to each other, each including: a base and a lid able to be removably coupled; an advancing mechanism for advancing the moulds along guides inside a vulcanising oven; and a sprayer for spraying the mixture inside the bases before entry into the vulcanising oven. The plant includes: an assembly set and a disassembly set of the moulds, belonging respectively to the input station and to the output station of the vulcanising oven; a first transport mechanism for transferring each base from the disassembly set to the assembly set; a second transport mechanism for transferring each lid from the disassembly set to the assembly set. The vulcanising oven includes a tunnel with a radiofrequency set for vulcanising the mixture.

A method for producing a bedding product has at least a foamed latex layer. The method includes pouring liquid latex foam on a conveyor belt. The liquid latex foam is vulcanized in a vulcanization station to obtain a vulcanized latex foam slab. The vulcanized latex foam slab is cut to a desired length and/or width. Electromagnetic waves with a frequency ranging between 1 and 50 Mhz are used for at least partially vulcanizing the liquid latex foam.

A method of fabrication processing a pre-preg material includes applying electromagnetic heating to a composition including a fiber and a resin. The electromagnetic heating is conducted with at least one fringing field capacitor utilizing radio frequency (RF) alternating current (AC) and controlling cross-linking of the resin in the composition via the electromagnetic heating.

A tool for the production of particle foam parts through the welding of foam particles by means of electromagnetic waves comprises two mould halves which bound a mould cavity. At least one of the two mould halves is made of a material which is transparent to electromagnetic waves and has a boundary wall which bounds the mould cavity and one or more supports serving to support the boundary wall on a capacitor plate on the side facing away from the mould cavity and forming one or more hollow spaces. A tool system for the production of particle foam parts has the tool and at least one trimming body, which is designed for introduction into the hollow space or at least one of the hollow spaces. A method for the production of a particle foam part with the tool or tool system is also specified.

The invention relates to a crack-split moulding tool for producing a foam particle part, having two mould halves (2, 3). The mould halves (2, 3) are pivotably mounted relative to one another such that they can be arranged at a varying distance from each other in certain sections when being filled with foam particles and when pressing together, are moved together at a varying distance until in a closed position, due to a pivoting movement. As a result, it is possible to homogeneously compress areas of the moulding cavity (6) having a different thickness and to compress in a different manner, area having the same thickness.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the manufacture of a particle foam component, said apparatus comprising a molding tool limiting a molding space, wherein, adjacent to the molding space, at least two capacitor plates are arranged which are connected to a radiation source for electromagnetic radiation, wherein the radiation source for electromagnetic radiation is designed for emitting electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the molding tool is formed of at least two molding halves, wherein at least one of the molding halves is made from an electrically conducting material and forms one of the capacitor plates.

Provided is a printing apparatus using acoustic levitation, the printing apparatus including an acoustic levitation unit, which includes at least one acoustic wave generator and is configured to generate an acoustic field to levitate at least one printing material and form print layers having specific patterns; a material supply unit configured to supply the printing material; and a placing unit including a plate, wherein the print layers are sequentially stacked on the plate.

This invention relates to the method for mold-free manufacturing of natural rubber articles. Specifically, the articles can be fabricated in the stereolithography process which eliminates the need of mold making and reduces the process time significantly. The method comprises the steps of (1) preparing prevulcanized latex compound for sulfur and non-sulfur vulcanization; (2) adding processing aid to make the latex compound curable when exposed to laser irradiation, the processing aid includes heat-sensitive polymer and/or carbon material(s); and (3) fabricating of three-dimensional rubber articles by stereolithography process. The process are capable of fabricating complex shapes and internal features. As the said rubber articles contain more than 95% of natural rubber, they are highly flexible and can be translucent in some embodiments.

Described are methods for the manufacture of a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, a plastic component manufactured with such a method, for example a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe, and a shoe with such a sole. According to an aspect of the invention, a method for the manufacture of a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, is provided which includes loading a mold with a first material which includes particles of an expanded material, and, during loading the mold, pre-heating the particles by supplying energy, wherein the energy is supplied in the form of at least one electromagnetic field.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising transporting a conduit and a template through a guide tube; the template being disposed on an outer surface of the conduit between the conduit and the guide tube; and transferring a texture from the template to the conduit as the conduit and the template are transported through the guide tube. Disclosed herein too is an apparatus comprising a guide tube; the guide tube being operative to facilitate a transfer of a pattern from a template to a conduit; a first feed spool and a first take-up spool for feeding the conduit through the guide tube and for taking up the conduit after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively; and a second feed spool and a second take-up spool for feeding the template through the guide tube and for taking up the template after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively.