A closing device for a mold group with two half-molds extends along a main axis and has a device body mountable to one of the two half-molds, and a closing group having a closing element rotatable about a rotation axis between a closing position, in which the two half-molds are lockable and an opening position, in which the two half-molds are releasable. A movement group housed in the device body and engaged with the closing group to rotationally move the closing element has a stem movable along the main axis and transmission members for transforming linear motion of the stem into rotatory motion of the closing element. A command group has a command plate engaged with one command end of the stem and a metal sealing bellows engaged with the command plate. A position of the metal sealing bellows corresponds to an axial position of the command plate and of the stem.

A closing device for a mold group with two half-molds extends along a main axis and has a device body mountable to one of the two half-molds, and a closing group having a closing element rotatable about a rotation axis between a closing position, in which the two half-molds are lockable and an opening position, in which the two half-molds are releasable. A movement group housed in the device body and engaged with the closing group to rotationally move the closing element has a stem movable along the main axis and transmission members for transforming linear motion of the stem into rotatory motion of the closing element. A command group has a command plate engaged with one command end of the stem and a metal sealing bellows engaged with the command plate. A position of the metal sealing bellows corresponds to an axial position of the command plate and of the stem.

A spider for a rotary molding process is provided. The spider includes an upper mold enclosure, a lower mold enclosure, and a clamping assembly. The lower mold enclosure is configured to selectively cooperate with the upper mold enclosure to facilitate retention of a mold housing therebetween. The clamping assembly comprises a collar, a plurality of brace members, and a clamping member. Each brace member is coupled with each of the collar and the upper mold enclosure. The clamping member is rotatably coupled with the lower mold enclosure and is rotatable about an axis in a clamping and unclamping direction. The axis extends through the collar. The collar is spaced from the upper mold enclosure along the axis. Rotation of the clamping member in the clamping direction facilitates translation of the collar towards the lower mold enclosure to facilitate urging of the upper mold enclosure and the lower mold enclosure together.

A mold container device includes a plurality of segments, an outer ring, and a conversion mechanism. The conversion mechanism connects the outer ring and the segment. The conversion mechanism moves the segment in a radial direction between a first position and a second position outside the first position in the radial direction, according to displacement of the outer ring in the direction of the axis O. The conversion mechanism further swings one of a lower edge portion and an upper edge portion of the segment in the radial direction, according to displacement of the outer ring in the direction of the axis O.

A latching mechanism suitable for suppository molds, where the latching mechanism is designed to assist the separation of mold when the latch is released. In embodiments, the latching mechanism has a lever portion on a first mold half and a catch portion on a second mold half. The lever portion is configured to impinge upon the catch portion to provide a force to bias the first mold half away from the second mold half. Other embodiments include methods of utilizing such a catching mechanism with a suppository mold.

A latching mechanism suitable for suppository molds, where the latching mechanism is designed to assist the separation of mold when the latch is released. In embodiments, the latching mechanism has a lever portion on a first mold half and a catch portion on a second mold half. The lever portion is configured to impinge upon the catch portion to provide a force to bias the first mold half away from the second mold half. Other embodiments include methods of utilizing such a catching mechanism with a suppository mold.

Fixtures and related system and methods are disclosed. In accordance with an implementation, a method includes applying a resin onto a substrate and positioning the substrate on over a chuck of a base of a fixture. The method also includes moving a mold into engagement with the resin and curing the resin. The method also includes detaching the mold and the resin and, while detaching the mold and the resin, determining a detachment force applied as a function of a distance of detachment between the mold and the resin.

A tire vulcanizing method comprises: a step of causing a connecting body, at which an upper mold of a vulcanization mold is supported and that connects together upper end portions of upper tubes of a plurality of supporting pillars, the supporting pillars being disposed so as to be apart in a peripheral direction at a periphery of the vulcanization mold, which is formed from a lower mold and the upper mold, which is set above the lower mold, and the supporting pillars having lower tubes that are hollow and the upper tubes, which are hollow and are slidably engaged with the lower tubes, and the supporting pillars extending in a vertical direction, to, together with the upper tubes and the upper mold, approach the lower mold, and close the vulcanization mold; and a step of vulcanizing an unvulcanized tire that is accommodated at an interior of the vulcanization mold that is closed, wherein the causing the connecting body, the upper tubes and the upper mold to approach the lower mold is carried out by operating raising/lowering mechanisms that are accommodated at interiors of the supporting pillars.

A tire vulcanizing method comprises: a step of causing a connecting body, at which an upper mold of a vulcanization mold is supported and that connects together upper end portions of upper tubes of a plurality of supporting pillars, the supporting pillars being disposed so as to be apart in a peripheral direction at a periphery of the vulcanization mold, which is formed from a lower mold and the upper mold, which is set above the lower mold, and the supporting pillars having lower tubes that are hollow and the upper tubes, which are hollow and are slidably engaged with the lower tubes, and the supporting pillars extending in a vertical direction, to, together with the upper tubes and the upper mold, approach the lower mold, and close the vulcanization mold; and a step of vulcanizing an unvulcanized tire that is accommodated at an interior of the vulcanization mold that is closed, wherein the causing the connecting body, the upper tubes and the upper mold to approach the lower mold is carried out by operating raising/lowering mechanisms that are accommodated at interiors of the supporting pillars.

A device for machining a plate-shaped workpiece for a motor vehicle comprises a lower tool with a holding region for the workpiece, and a folding element which has a holding region for the workpiece and which is movable relative to the lower tool. The folding element (40) can change from a first state into a second state and can thereby form a first cavity between the holding region of the folding element and the workpiece.