Abstract
The invention relates to a method (100) for manufacturing molded parts (10) from biodegradable fiber material (11) by means of a fiber molding process in a fiber molding system (20), comprising the following steps of providing (110) a pulp (1) as a liquid solution containing a biodegradable fiber material; contacting (120) a suction tool (2) with the pulp by placing it on or at least partially dipping it into the pulp, wherein the suction tool comprises a suction head (21) with a three-dimensionally shaped suction head suction side (21i), whose shape is adapted to a contour of the subsequent molded part; molding (130) the molded part by sucking the fiber material onto the suction head suction side (21i) by means of negative pressure in the suction tool; pre-pressing (140) the molded part in a pre-pressing station (3) with a pre-pressing pressure (VD) to reduce a proportion of the liquid solution in the molded part; hot-pressing (150) the pre-pressed molding at a hot-pressing pressure (HD) for finishing the molded part and for further reducing the proportion of the liquid solution in the molded part in a hot-pressing station (4); and outputting (160) the finished molded part (10). The invention also relates to such a fiber molding system for carrying out the above-mentioned method and to a molded part manufactured by means of such a fiber molding system or by means of such a method.
Claims
1-47. (canceled)
48. A method for manufacturing molded parts from biodegradable fiber material, the method comprising: providing a pulp as a liquid solution containing the biodegradable fiber material; contacting the pulp with a suction head of a suction tool; creating a formed part by generating negative pressure in the suction tool to draw the biodegradable fiber material into contact with the suction head; pre-pressing the formed part in a pre-pressing station with a pre-pressing pressure to create a pre-pressed molded part; and hot-pressing the pre-pressed molded part with a hot-pressing pressure to create a finished molded part.
49. The method of claim 48, further comprising: subsequent to the pre-pressing the formed part, transferring the pre-pressed molded part to a hot-pressing station using the suction tool, wherein the pre-pressed molded part is removed from the suction tool prior to the hot-pressing.
50. The method of claim 48, wherein the contacting the suction tool with the pulp includes completely submerging the suction head in the pulp.
51. The method of claim 48, wherein the hot-pressing includes: inserting the pre-pressed molded part into a hot-pressing lower tool using the suction tool; and pressing a hot-pressing upper tool onto the hot-pressing lower tool such that the pre-pressed molded part is positioned between the hot-pressing upper tool and the hot-pressing lower tool.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the hot-pressing is performed at a temperature of at least 150 C., and wherein, during the hot-pressing, the hot-pressing pressure is applied for a pressing time of 20 seconds or less.
53. The method of claim 51, wherein, during the hot-pressing, the hot-pressing upper tool is heated to a higher temperature than the hot-pressing lower tool.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein, during the hot-pressing, a difference in temperature between the hot-pressing upper tool and the hot-pressing lower tool is between 25 C. and 60 C.
55. The method of claim 48, further comprising: subsequent to the hot-pressing, applying one or functional layers to the finished molded part.
56. A method for manufacturing molded parts from biodegradable fiber material, the method comprising: providing a pulp as a liquid solution containing the biodegradable fiber material; contacting a suction tool with the pulp by at least partially dipping the suction tool into the pulp, wherein the suction tool includes a suction head with a three-dimensionally shaped suction side; creating a formed part by establishing negative pressure in the suction tool to draw the biodegradable fiber material onto the three-dimensionally shaped suction side of the suction head; pre-pressing the formed part in a pre-pressing station with a pre-pressing pressure to create a pre-pressed molded part; and hot-pressing the pre-pressed molded part with a hot-pressing pressure to create a finished molded part.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein the formed part is retained on the suction tool during the pre-pressing.
58. The method of claim 56, wherein the pre-pressing includes performing membrane pressing wherein a pre-pressing lower tool includes a membrane, and wherein the pre-pressing pressure is applied to the membrane as gas pressure.
59. The method of claim 56, wherein the pre-pressing is performed at a temperature of 80 C. or less.
60. The method of claim 56, wherein the hot-pressing pressure applied during the hot-pressing is greater than the pre-pressing pressure applied during the pre-pressing.
61. The method of claim 60, wherein the hot-pressing pressure is between 0.5 N/mm.sup.2 and 1.5 N/mm.sup.2, and wherein the pre-pressing pressure is between 0.2 N/mm.sup.2 and 0.3 N/mm.sup.2.
62. A fiber-molding system for producing a molded part from biodegradable fiber material, the fiber-molding system comprising: a reservoir configured to hold a pulp as a liquid solution containing the biodegradable fiber material; a movement unit; a suction tool mounted on the movement unit, wherein the suction tool includes a suction head, wherein the movement unit is configured to contact the pulp with at least a portion of the suction head, and wherein the suction tool is configured to create a formed part by drawing the biodegradable fiber material into contact with the suction head; a pre-pressing station for pre-pressing the formed part with a pre-pressing pressure to create a pre-pressed molded part; and a hot-pressing station configured to hot-press the pre-pressed molded part with a hot-pressing pressure to create a finished molded part.
63. The fiber-molding system of claim 62, wherein a suction side of the suction head is formed from a porous screen, and wherein the suction tool includes a plurality of suction channels distributed around one or more sides of the porous screen.
64. The fiber-molding system of claim 63, wherein the suction channels are arranged in an uneven distribution such that fewer suction channels per surface unit are arranged in a region of one or more edges in the formed part.
65. The fiber-molding system of claim 63, wherein the pre-pressing station includes a pre-pressing lower tool that is configured to receive at least a portion of the suction tool such that, during the pre-pressing, the formed part is positioned between the suction tool and the pre-pressing lower tool and the suction tool is pressed toward the pre-pressing lower tool with the pre-pressing pressure.
66. The fiber-molding system of claim 62, wherein the hot-pressing station includes a hot-pressing lower tool with a hot-pressing side adapted to a contour of the molded part, wherein the hot-pressing lower tool includes one or more channels on the hot-pressing side.
67. The fiber-molding system of claim 66, wherein the hot-pressing station further includes a hot-pressing upper tool that is configured to interface with the hot-pressing lower tool such that, during hot-pressing, the pre-pressed molded part is positioned between the hot-pressing lower tool and the hot-pressing upper tool and the hot-pressing upper tool is pressed towards the hot-pressing lower tool with the hot-pressing pressure.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0078] In addition, further features, effects, and advantages of the present invention are explained with reference to the attached drawing and the following description. Components that at least substantially correspond in terms of their function in the individual Figures are identified by the same reference symbols, with the components not having to be numbered and explained in all Figures.
[0079] In the drawings:
[0080] FIG. 1: is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the method according to the invention;
[0081] FIG. 2: shows an embodiment of the suction head with a negative shape for the steps of contacting and molding as well as the transfer to pre-pressing in the method according to the invention;
[0082] FIG. 3: shows an embodiment of the suction head with a positive shape for the steps of contacting and molding as well as the transfer to pre-pressing in the method according to the invention;
[0083] FIG. 4: shows an embodiment of the pre-pressing station in a cross-section of the fiber molding system according to the invention;
[0084] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the pre-pressing station in a cross-section with a membrane as a pre-pressing lower tool of the fiber molding system according to the invention;
[0085] FIG. 6: shows an embodiment of the hot-pressing station in a cross-section of the fiber molding system according to the invention;
[0086] FIG. 7 shows an example of a molded part made of biodegradable fiber material manufactured by means of the method according to the invention in a fiber molding system according to the invention;
[0087] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the pre-pressing station with a movement unit and pulp preparation and additional-delivery unit of the fiber molding system according to the invention;
[0088] FIG. 9: shows an embodiment of the fiber molding system according to the invention; and
[0089] FIG. 10: shows a further embodiment of the fiber molding system according to the invention.
EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0090] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the method 100 according to the invention for the manufacture of molded parts 10 from biodegradable fiber material 11 by means of a fiber molding process in a fiber molding system 20, comprising the following steps. So that the process can start, a pulp 1 is provided 110 as a liquid solution containing biodegradable fiber material 11 so that a suction tool 2 contacts 120 the pulp 1 by placing it on or at least partially dipping it into the pulp 1, wherein the suction tool 2 comprises a suction head 21 with a three-dimensionally shaped suction head suction side 21i, the shape of which is adapted to a contour of the subsequent molded part 10, which is followed by molding 130 the molded part 10 by sucking the biodegradable fiber material 11 onto the suction head suction side 21i by means of negative pressure in the suction tool 2. The suction tool can contain a single suction head or be a multi-tool with a large number of suction heads. Even if the suction tool has two suction heads 21, it is referred to as a multi-tool. In other embodiments, the multi-tool can also comprise 10, 20, 30, or more suction heads 21. The subsequent pre-pressing 140 of the formed molded part 10 takes place in a pre-pressing station 3 with a pre-pressing pressure VD in order to reduce a proportion of the liquid solution in the molded part 10. The pre-pressing station is adapted to the suction tool, possibly in the form of a multi-tool. After the pre-pressing 140 has taken place, the pre-pressed molded part 10 can be transferred 170 to the hot-pressing station 4 by means of the suction tool 2, wherein the molded part 10 is removed from the suction tool 2 for the subsequent hot-pressing 150. For this purpose, the hot-pressing station 4 comprises a hot-pressing lower tool 41 with a hot-pressing side 41a adapted to a contour 10i of the molded part 10 and a hot-pressing upper tool 42, wherein the shaped part 10 is placed on or inserted into the hot-pressing lower tool 41 from the suction tool 2 during the transfer 170 and, during the hot-pressing 150, the hot-pressing upper tool 42 is pressed onto the hot-pressing lower tool 41 with the molded part 10 arranged in between. The molded part 10 is finished during the hot-pressing 150 of the pre-pressed molded part 10 with a hot-pressing pressure HD, wherein the proportion of the liquid solution in the molded part 10 is further reduced in the corresponding hot-pressing station 4. The method may also comprise the additional step of coating 180 the molded part 10, preferably the finished molded part 10, with one or more functional layers 15. At the end of the process, the finished molded part 10 is dispensed 160 to further processing stations of the fiber molding system 20.
[0091] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the suction head 21 with a negative shape for the steps of contacting 120 and molding 130 as well as the transfer of the molded part 10 for pre-pressing 140 in the method 100 according to the invention. The suction head 21 shown here can be the only suction head 21 in the suction tool 2 or can be part of a multi-tool with a large number of suction heads 21, wherein only one suction head 21 is shown here as an example for reasons of clarity. The pulp reservoir 30 for the manufacturing process is shown here schematically below the suction head 21 with the fiber material 11 indicated as waves. In the method 100, a pulp 1 containing a proportion of biodegradable fiber material 11 of less than 5%, preferably less than 2%, particularly preferably between 0.5% and 1.0%, in a liquid solution, for example an aqueous solution, can be used. Advantageously, the pulp 1 does not comprise any organic binder and, preferably, no binder at all. The biodegradable fiber material 11 can substantially consist of fibers with a fiber length of less than 5 mm. The pulp 1 is provided at a temperature of less than or equal to 80 C., preferably less than or equal to 50 C., particularly preferably room temperature. The suction head suction side 21i of the suction head 21 is formed from a porous screen 22, to whose pulp side 22p that faces the pulp 1 the biodegradable fiber 11 adheres due to the suction for molding 130 the molded part 10 (see molded part 10 in FIG. 2c). In addition, the suction tool 2 comprises a plurality of suction channels 23 for sucking in the pulp 1, distributed around the side 22s of the screen 22 that is opposite the pulp side 22p. In this case, the suction channels 23 are distributed and arranged around the screen 22 and a structure (shape of the surface, screen size, pore size) of the screen 22 is designed such that a substantially equal suction power is present in all regions of the pulp side 22p of the screen 22. For this purpose, the suction channels 23 have, for example, an uneven distribution below the screen 23, wherein fewer suction channels 23 are arranged per surface unit in the region of edges in the molded part 10. As shown in FIG. 2b, the suction head only dips slightly into the pulp 1 for molding the molded part so that a closed cavity is formed in the interior space 21i of the suction head. In other embodiments, the suction head 21 could also be completely dipped into the pulp 1. The liquid solution of the pulp 1 passing through the screen 22 during the molding 130 is discharged from the suction tool 2, for which purpose the suction head 21 comprises, on its end face 21p that faces the pulp 1, a collecting ring 24 for receiving the liquid solution to be discharged, on which a discharge channel 25 connected for the liquid solution. As shown in FIG. 2c, the formed molded part 10 (grey inner layer in the suction head 21) is then placed on the pre-pressing lower tool 31 with a pressing surface 31a as the outer surface of the pre-pressing lower tool 31 for pre-pressing.
[0092] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the suction head 21 with a positive shape for the steps of contacting 120 and molding 130 as well as the transfer to pre-pressing 140 in the method 100 according to the invention. The suction head 21 shown here can be the only suction head 21 in the suction tool 2 or can be part of a multi-tool with a large number of suction heads 21, wherein only one suction head 21 is shown here as an example for reasons of clarity. With regard to the pulp reservoir 30 and the properties of the pulp 1, that which has already been described for FIG. 2 also applies in this case. In contrast to FIG. 2, the suction head suction surface 21p is designed in this case as a positive shape and forms the suction head outside 21a. With regard to the construction of the suction head 21 with the screen 22 and the suction channels 23, that which has already been described under FIG. 2 applies. In order to suck in the pulp 1 with fiber material 11, the suction head 21 is completely dipped into the pulp 1 for contacting 120 in the case of the positive shape of the suction head suction surface 21p. As shown in FIG. 3c, the formed molded part 10 (grey outer layer on the suction head 21) is then used for pre-pressing in the pre-pressing lower tool 31 which has a shape adapted to the positive shape of the suction head 21 with a pressing surface 31 as the inner surface of the pre-pressing lower tool 31.
[0093] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the pre-pressing station 3 in a cross section of the fiber molding system 20 according to the invention. For pre-pressing 140, the molded part 10 remains in the suction tool 2, which thus assumes the function of the pre-pressing upper tool. The suction tool 2 is shown in this case as a suction head 21 with a negative shape. The pre-pressing station 3 comprises a pre-pressing lower tool 31 on which the suction tool 2 with the formed molded part 10 is placed such that it is arranged between the pre-pressing lower tool 31 and the suction tool 2 so that the suction tool 2 can be pressed onto the pre-pressing lower tool 31 with the pre-pressing pressure VD so that the moisture is removed from the molded part and the fiber material is dimensionally stabilized by the pre-pressing. In this case, the pre-pressing lower tool 31 has a pressing surface 31a that faces the molded part 10 and has a lower surface roughness than the screen 22. The pre-pressing lower tool 31 can be made of metal or at least partially of an elastomer, for example made of silicone, the latter being advantageous for suction tools designed as multi-tools. The pre-pressing 140 is carried out at a temperature of the pre-pressing station 3 below 80 C., preferably below 50 C., particularly preferably at room temperature, wherein the pre-pressing pressure VD is between 0.2 N/mm.sup.2 and 0.3 N/mm.sup.2, preferably between 0.23 N/mm.sup.2 and 0.27 N/mm.sup.2.
[0094] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the pre-pressing station 3 in a cross section with a membrane 32 as the pre-pressing lower tool 31 of the fiber molding system 20 according to the invention for carrying out the pre-pressing 140 as membrane pressing. The suction tool 2 is inserted here with a positive shape as a suction head suction surface 21s in the correspondingly shaped pre-pressing lower tool 31. The membrane 32 is designed as a flexible membrane 32 for the membrane pressing 150. The pre-pressing pressure VD is applied as gas pressure to the membrane 32, which is then pressed onto the outer contour 10a of the molded part 10. As a result, pressure can also be exerted on surfaces of the molded part 10 which cannot be applied in this way by means of hydraulic pressing since the gas pressure applies the membrane to all surfaces, regardless of direction, with the same pressure.
[0095] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the hot-pressing station 4 in a cross section of the fiber molding system 20 according to the invention. After the pre-pressing 140 has taken place, the pre-pressed molded part 10 is transferred 170 to the hot-pressing station 4 by means of the suction tool 2, wherein the molded part 10 is removed from the suction tool 2 for the subsequent hot-pressing 150. The hot-pressing station 4 comprises a hot-pressing lower tool 41 with a hot-pressing side 41a adapted to a contour 10i of the molded part 10 and a hot-pressing upper tool 42, wherein the molded tool 10 is placed on or inserted into the hot-pressing lower tool 41 from the suction tool 2 during the transfer 170 (depending on whether a negative shape is available or a positive shape is used). During the hot-pressing 150, the hot-pressing upper tool 42 is then pressed onto the hot-pressing lower tool 41 with the molded part 10 arranged in between. In this case, the hot-pressing lower tool 41 may be made of metal. The hot-pressing lower tool 41 also comprises channels 41k on its hot-pressing side 41a, with which the liquid solution can be at least partially discharged during the hot-pressing 150. The hot-pressing upper tool 42 is adapted at least with the side 42i that faces the molded part to the contour 10a of the molded part 10; the hot-pressing upper tool 42 is preferably also made of metal. Different temperatures can be used for the hot-pressing lower tool 41 and the hot-pressing upper tool 42 during the hot-pressing; the hot-pressing upper tool 42 preferably has a higher temperature than the hot-pressing lower tool 41, wherein the temperatures vary by at least 25 C., preferably no more than 60 C., particularly preferably around 50 C. The hot-pressing can be carried out at a temperature greater than 150 C., preferably between 180 and 250. In this case, the hot-pressing 140 is carried out at the hot-pressing pressure HD higher than the pre-pressing pressure VD. The hot-pressing pressure HD can be between 0.5 N/mm.sup.2 and 1.5 N/mm.sup.2, preferably between 0.8 N/mm.sup.2 and 1.2 N/mm.sup.2, wherein said pressure is preferably applied for a pressing time of less than 20 s, preferably more than 8 s, particularly preferably between 10 and 14 s, even more preferably 12 s.
[0096] FIG. 7 shows an example of a molded part 10 made from biodegradable fiber material 11 manufactured by means of the method 100 according to the invention on a fiber molding system 20 according to the invention. The molded part 10 is very dimensionally stable and has a liquid proportion in the fiber material 11 of less than 8%. The molded part is biodegradable. The contour of the molded part 10 is designed such that all surfaces 10f of the molded part 10 have an angle of at least 3 degrees to the pressing direction PR during the hot-pressing 150. The biodegradable fiber material 11 does not comprise any organic binder and, preferably, no non-organic binder either. It mainly consists of fibers with a fiber length of less than 5 mm. One or more functional layers 15 can be deposited on the molded part 10. In a further embodiment, the fiber material 11 of the molded part 10 can also contain dopants or components which, due to their concentration, an application of the molded part 10, and/or environmental conditions, are released from the fiber material 11 of the molded part 11 in the desired manner in order to have a supporting effect for the application of the molded part 11. Said dopants or components can be introduced into the fiber material via the pulp at the start of the molding process or be part of a subsequent coating with a functional layer if the fiber molding process does not permit earlier addition. Such dopants can be, for example, fragrances, flavorings, active ingredients, minerals, nutritional and care additives, etc., which diffuse out of the fiber material due to their subsequent use and the then prevailing conditions, are dissolved, or remain when the molded part is biodegraded. The environmental conditions that promote this can be, for example, differences in the concentration of certain materials, temperature, humidity, and/or exposure to light. The supporting effect could be, for example, in the care, taste modification, supply, etc. of the molded part 10 or the goods transported with or in the molded part 10 or stored therein at least temporarily.
[0097] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the pre-pressing station 3 with a pulp reservoir 30, movement unit 40, and pulp processing and additional-delivery unit 35 of the fiber molding system 20 according to the invention. The suction tool 2 shown here is a multi-tool with 20 suction heads 21. Correspondingly, the pre-pressing lower tool 31 also comprises 20 pre-pressing units on the pre-pressing lower tool 31 as a multi-tool.
[0098] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the fiber molding system 20 according to the invention for manufacturing molded parts 10 from biodegradable fiber material 11 by means of the method 100 according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1, comprising a reservoir 30 for providing 110 a pulp 1 as a liquid solution containing biodegradable fiber material 11, a suction tool 2 that is attached to a movement unit 40 and has a suction head 21 with a three-dimensionally shaped suction head suction side 21i, the shape of which is adapted to a contour of the subsequent molded part 10, wherein the movement unit 30 is designed to contact 120 the suction tool 2 with the pulp 1 by placing it on or at least partially dipping it into the pulp 1. In this case, the movement unit 40 is designed as a robot. A robot can carry out precise and reproducible movements in a confined space and is therefore particularly suitable for guiding the suction tool between the pulp reservoir 30 and the pre-pressing station 3. The suction tool 2 is designed to shape 130 the molded part 10 by sucking the biodegradable fiber material 11 onto the suction head suction side 21i by means of a negative pressure in the suction tool 2. The pre-pressing station 3 is provided for pre-pressing 140 the formed molded part 10 with a pre-pressing pressure VD in order to reduce a proportion of the liquid solution in the molded part 10 and stabilize its dimensions. The hot-pressing station 4 is provided for hot-pressing 150 the pre-pressed molded part 10 with a hot-pressing pressure HD and thus for finishing the molded part 10 and for further reducing the proportion of the liquid solution in the molded part 10. The outputting unit 50 then dispenses the finished molded part 10. In order to control the process carried out, the fiber molding system 20 comprises a control unit 60, which is connected to the other components of the fiber molding system 20 in a suitable manner in order to control said components.
[0099] FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the fiber molding system 20 according to the invention, wherein the pulp 1 is provided and the pre-pressing takes place in the pre-pressing station 3 as shown in FIG. 9. After the pre-pressing, two separate system parts are operated in this embodiment, each of which has a hot-pressing station 4, a coating unit 70 for depositing one or more functional layers onto the molded part 10, a printing unit 80 for printing the molded part, and a stacking unit 90 for stacking the finished molded parts 10. The molded parts are transported on a conveyor belt 95 between said stations. If necessary, the fiber molding machine could also comprise a cutting unit for post-processing or for separating the molded parts. The division into two subsystems after the pre-pressing is possible because the hot-pressing process runs significantly more slowly than the molding 130 and pre-pressing 140, both of which can be carried out more quickly than the hot-pressing 150 by a factor of approximately 5 or more. Therefore, the pre-pressing station can supply at least two subsystems for the subsequent steps, without resulting in a loss of time during the hot-pressing 150.
[0100] At this point, it should be explicitly pointed out that features of the solutions described above or in the claims and/or drawings can also be combined, if necessary, in order to be able to cumulatively implement or achieve explained features, effects, and advantages.
[0101] It goes without saying that the embodiment explained above is merely a first embodiment of the present invention. In this respect, the configuration of the invention is not limited to this embodiment.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0102] 1 pulp [0103] 11 biodegradable fiber material [0104] 2 suction tool [0105] 21 suction head [0106] 21a suction head exterior side [0107] 21i suction head interior side [0108] 21p end face of the suction head facing the pulp [0109] 21s suction head suction side [0110] 22 porous screen [0111] 22p pulp-facing side (pulp-side) of the screen [0112] 22s side of wire opposite to pulp side (suction head side) [0113] 23 suction channels [0114] 24 collecting ring [0115] 25 discharge channel for the liquid solution [0116] 3 pre-pressing station [0117] 31 pre-pressing lower tool [0118] 31a pressing surface of the pre-pressing lower tool [0119] 32 membrane as a pre-pressing lower tool [0120] 4 hot-pressing station [0121] 41 hot-pressing lower tool of the hot-pressing station [0122] 41a hot-pressing side of the hot-pressing lower tool, e.g., exterior side [0123] 41k channels in the hot-pressing lower tool [0124] 42 hot-pressing upper tool of the hot-pressing station [0125] 42i side (interior side) of the hot-pressing upper tool that faces the molded part [0126] 10 molded part made from biodegradable fiber material [0127] 10i interior contour (interior side) of the molded part [0128] 10a exterior contour (exterior side) of the molded part [0129] 10f surface of the molded part [0130] 15 functional layer (one or more) [0131] 20 fiber molding system [0132] 30 reservoir for the pulp [0133] 35 pulp preparation and additional-delivery unit [0134] 40 movement unit [0135] 50 outputting unit [0136] 60 control unit [0137] 70 coating unit [0138] 80 printing unit [0139] 90 stacking unit [0140] 95 conveyor belt [0141] 100 method for manufacturing molded parts from biodegradable fiber material [0142] 110 providing a pulp [0143] 120 contacting a suction tool with the pulp [0144] 130 molding the molded part by sucking in the biodegradable fiber material [0145] 140 pre-pressing the formed molded part in a pre-pressing station [0146] 150 hot-pressing the pre-pressed molded part, e.g., membrane pressing [0147] 160 outputting the finished molded part [0148] 170 transfer of the pre-pressed molded part to the hot-pressing station [0149] 180 coating the molded part with one or more functional layers [0150] HD hot-pressing pressure [0151] PR pressing direction [0152] VD pre-pressing pressure
