Slipper tool, system and method for using the slipper tool for molding

A method of molding a product, said method comprising

• arranging a material of the product to be molded on a surface of a slipper tool, the surface corresponding to a molded surface of the product;
• heating, at an external heater outside a press, the slipper tool and the material received therein to a state where the material is soften or molten and conforms in shape to the surface of the slipper tool;
• then
• transferring the slipper tool, with the heated material conforming in shape to the surface of the slipper tool, into the press and closing the press;
• and
• performing, in the closed press, a molding process in which a mold tool of the press presses, while cooling down, the heated material against the surface of the slipper tool to mold the product,
• wherein the external heater comprises
• a first heater, wherein the first heater heats the slipper tool from a side opposite to the surface on which the material is to be received, and
• a second heater, wherein the second heater directly heats the material from a side of said surface.

A slipper tool for molding a product in a system, the system comprising a press and an external heater outside the press, the slipper tool comprising:

• a first surface corresponding to a molded surface of the product to be molded, said first surface configured to receive thereon a material of the product to be molded;
• and
• a second surface opposite, and matching in shape, to the first surface,
• wherein
• the slipper tool comprises a metal, and
• the slipper tool has a uniform thickness in a range of 1-5 mm.