Assembly and method for managing the temperature of a mould tool

A method of managing the temperature of a mould tool, comprising:

• providing a mould tool comprising:
• a plurality of fluid chambers each having an exhaust;
• a first layer having:
• a peripheral wall surrounding the first layer so as to define an enclosed volume;
• a workpiece profile surface, the workpiece profile surface defining a workpiece profile having a periphery;
• and
• a temperature control surface at least partially bounding the plurality of fluid chambers;
• a second layer at least partially surrounding the plurality of fluid chambers, the second layer having at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with exhausts of the plurality of fluid chambers;
• a support assembly;
• a third layer adjacent the second layer, the third layer being mounted to the support assembly;
• a plurality of first fluid-based temperature control assemblies mounted within the third layer, the plurality of first fluid-based temperature control assemblies being configured to control a temperature of the mould tool by directing fluid into the respective fluid chambers;
• and
• at least one peripheral chamber disposed outside the periphery of the workpiece profile to surround the workpiece profile surface and in conductive contact with at least one exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the first layer, the at least one peripheral chamber comprising an external wall, a base and an internal wall, the internal wall extending from the base to just short of the workpiece profile surface, creating two side-by-side chambers in fluid communication with one another;
• providing a workpiece in contact with the workpiece profile surface;
• controlling the temperature of the mould tool by directing fluid into the plurality of fluid chambers using the plurality of first fluid-based temperature control assemblies;
• feeding the at least one peripheral chamber with fluid from the at least one exhaust port of the second layer;
• and
• urging the fluid flow from the at least one exhaust port of the second layer in a direction of the workpiece profile to reduce a temperature differential between the plurality of fluid chambers and a surrounding atmosphere.

A mould tool comprising:

• a plurality of fluid chambers each having an exhaust;
• a first layer comprising:
• a peripheral wall at least partially surrounding the plurality of fluid chambers so as to define an enclosed volume;
• a workpiece profile surface, the workpiece profile surface defining a workpiece profile having a periphery;
• and
• a temperature control surface opposite the workpiece profile, the temperature control surface at least partially bounding the plurality of fluid chambers;
• a second layer at least partially surrounding the plurality of fluid chambers, the second layer having at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the exhausts of the plurality of fluid chambers;
• a support layer;
• a third layer adjacent the second layer, the third layer being mounted to the support assembly;
• a plurality of first fluid-based temperature control assemblies mounted within the third layer, the plurality of first fluid-based temperature control assemblies being configured to control the temperature of the mould tool by directing fluid into respective fluid chambers of the plurality of fluid chambers, and
• at least one peripheral chamber arranged outside the periphery of the workpiece profile to surround the workpiece profile surface and in conductive contact with at least one exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the first layer, the at least one peripheral chamber being fed by the at least one exhaust port of the second layer, wherein the at least one peripheral chamber is configured to urge a fluid flow from the at least one exhaust port of the second layer in a direction of the workpiece profile to reduce a temperature differential between the plurality of fluid chambers and a surrounding atmosphere, the at least one peripheral chamber comprising an external wall, a base and a gutter, the gutter extending between the external wall and the periphery of the workpiece profile and running from a lower center of the base of the peripheral chamber upwards and towards a corner between two adjacent sides of an outer edge of an edge zone of the periphery of the workpiece profile.