Abstract

The present invention concerns an apparatus for making a three-dimensionally curved object, said apparatus comprising a membrane having a moulding surface, which is configurable into a predetermined shape by individually adjusting an array of actuators acting on the surface opposite the moulding surface of said membrane, wherein the membrane is a ferromagnetic membrane and the actuators are provided with magnetic joints at the distal ends of said actuators.

IPC Classes  ?

• B29C 45/37 - Mould cavity walls
• B29C 33/30 - Mounting, exchanging or centering
• B28B 7/02 - Moulds with adjustable parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a flat element with a surface which deviates from a flat surface from a curing material, having the following steps: - providing a first molding part (5) which has a shape that corresponds to a surface of the element (24) to be produced, - providing a second molding part (16) which has a shape that corresponds to another surface of the element (24) to be produced, - connecting the first and second molding part (5, 16) while forming a cavity between the surfaces (7, 19) of the molding parts (5, 16) in a manner corresponding to the element to be produced, - introducing the curing material into the cavity delimited by the molding parts (5, 16), - curing the curing material in the molding parts (5, 16) connected to each other, and - opening the molding parts (5, 16) and removing the cured flat element (24). The invention further relates to a molding part (5, 16) for producing such a flat element and to a flat element.

IPC Classes  ?

• B28B 7/34 - Moulds, cores, or mandrels of special material, e.g. destructible materials

Abstract

A device (2) is indicated for use in thermoforming moulds, for moulds of the type that provides a curved, double-curved dynamically reconfigurable surface (4) with an open structure, characterised by the curved, double-curved dynamically reconfigurable surface (4) with the open structure being defined by interpolationbetween spaced rod- and/ribbon-shaped elements (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) consisting of a flexible system comprising a number of angled layers (6, 8, 10, 12, 14) ofspaced, point-supported parallel rod- and/or ribbon-shaped elements (16, 18, 20,22, 24) of elastically deformable material, in which relatively offset anchor points (28, 30, 32, 34) for the point-supported rod- and/or ribbon-shaped elements (16,18, 20, 22, 24) via the upward-facing, highest located surfaces (26) of the rod- or ribbon-shaped elements (24) define the double-curved reconfigurable surface (4). The anchor points (28) are connected to the free ends (44) of actuators (46) that can be displaced independently of each other, typically controlled and regulated using an interface and electronic data processing, allowing for a given double-curved surface always to be re-created.

IPC Classes  ?

• B29C 33/42 - Moulds or coresDetails thereof or accessories therefor characterised by the shape of the moulding surface, e.g. ribs or grooves
• B29C 51/30 - Moulds

Abstract

A flexible mat (1) for providing a dynamically reconfigurable double-curved moulding surface (40) in a mould. The flexible mat (1) comprises a system of rhomboid flat elements (10, 10', 26, 26') of an elastic deformable material arranged mutually movably in two or more relatively rotated layers (10, 10'), surrounded by a first upper cloth (6) of an elastic deformable material and a second lower cloth (8) of an elastic deformable material. The cloths (6, 8) are imperviously joined along their lateral limits and form an adjustable impervious chamber. The flexible mat (1 ) is adapted to be mechanically connected to the free ends (42) of a number of actuators (3) in such a way that the position of a given point on the surface (40) formed by the flexible mat (1) is determined on the basis of the position of the free end (42) of an associated given actuator (3). The mat (1) is capable of forming a uniform, continuous double-curved surface.

IPC Classes  ?

• B29C 33/42 - Moulds or coresDetails thereof or accessories therefor characterised by the shape of the moulding surface, e.g. ribs or grooves
• B28B 7/02 - Moulds with adjustable parts
• B28B 7/06 - Moulds with flexible parts