Molding systems and methods of using such systems are provided.

The invention relates to a method and a press for producing a component from a fiber composite material by deforming a thermoplastic semi-finished product, in particular an organic sheet (2), in a membrane press (1), wherein a mold (4) has been or is arranged in the membrane press (1), wherein at least one semi-finished product/organic sheet (2) is positioned on top of or against the mold as a workpiece, and wherein an elastically stretchable membrane (11) is preloaded while stretched over the mold (4) with the semi-finished product/organic sheet (2) arranged therebetween. At the same time, the semi-finished product/organic sheet (2) is deformed in order to form the component, in that a vacuum is applied to the membrane (11) on the side facing the mold and a positive pressure is optionally additionally applied to the membrane on the side facing away from the mold such that the semi-finished product/organic sheet (2) is shaped onto the mold. A mold is used which is permeable to air at least in some areas and which is produced, for example, from porous aluminum.

Methods and apparatuses for mounting a material (1) on a carrier (6) are provided. To this end, the material is arranged on a porous layer (2) of an air bearing arrangement (2, 3).

A method of manufacturing a thermoplastic resin molded article having a hollow portion includes setting a molded article (A) premolded from a thermoplastic resin in a first die, forming a melted thermoplastic resin plate (B) in a shape along an inner surface of a second die facing the first die by being attached to the inner surface of the second die by vacuum pressure, welding the thermoplastic resin plate (B) and the molded article (A) only in a predetermined region by mold-clamping the first die and the second die, and forming at least part of an unwelded region as a hollow portion.

Methods and apparatuses for mounting a material (1) on a carrier (6) are provided. To this end, the material is arranged on a porous layer (2) of an air bearing arrangement (2, 3).

A vacuuming forming method for creating an embellished reproduction of an image. The image is printed on to a thermoformable substrate to create a printed substrate. A chemical compound is applied to a surface of a perforated sheet to form artistic embellishments on the surface and create an embellished sheet. The printed substrate is positioned over the embellished sheet placed on a vacuum table. Heat is applied to the printed substrate and sufficient vacuum is provided to the vacuum table to press the printed substrate on to the embellished sheet to form an embellished reproduction of the image from the printed substrate. The perforated sheet can have a three-dimensional surface, which can be included in the embellished reproduction.

According to examples, an apparatus may include a plurality of structures formed of fused sections of build material particles and a plurality of porous sections supported by the plurality of structures. The plurality of porous sections may be formed of partially-fused build material particles, in which the partially-fused build material particles may include build material particles that may be partially fused together to cause the plurality of porous sections to have at least a predefined porosity level.