Tool, tool system and method for the production of particle foam parts

A method for the manufacture of a shoe sole by the welding of foam particles using electromagnetic waves, the method comprising

• a. arranging a tool with two mold halves forming a mold cavity corresponding to the shape of the shoe sole between two capacitor plates,
• b. filling the mold cavity with the foam particles, wherein the foam particles comprise at least one of the following materials:
• expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (eTPU), expanded polyamide (ePA), expanded polyether-block-amide (ePEBA);
• expanded polylactide (ePLA);
• expanded polyethylene terephthalate (ePET);
• expanded polybutylene terephthalate (ePBT);
• expanded thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer (eTPEE),
• c. closing the tool by bringing the two mold halves together, and
• d. introducing electromagnetic waves to the closed tool via the capacitor plates, wherein the foam particles in the mold cavity are subjected to electromagnetic waves,
• e. at least partially fusing or baking together the foam particles which are heated by the electromagnetic waves, wherein the electromagnetic waves are radio waves or microwaves,
• f. wherein at least one of the two mold halves is made of a material which is transparent to electromagnetic waves, has a dielectric boundary wall which bounds the mold cavity, and has at least one support which serves to support the boundary wall on the capacitor plate on the side facing away from the mold cavity and which form at least one hollow spaces, and
• g. wherein at least one trimming bodies or a trimming fluid is provided in the hollow space or at least one of the hollow spaces, abutting the boundary wall, in order to influence an electromagnetic field in the mold cavity, wherein the trimming fluid is water, oil, or gel, and;
• h. further wherein the method is conducted in the absence of steam.