Method for the manufacture of a plastic component, plastic component, midsole and shoe

A method for the manufacture of a plastic component, the method comprising:

• a. opening a mold by a predetermined amount into a loading position;
• wherein the mold comprises at least a first moveable mold part and a second moveable mold part, and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold;
• b. loading a material comprising expanded particles into the mold;
• wherein the material is loaded between the first moveable mold part and the second moveable mold part;
• c. closing the mold into a closed position;
• wherein during closing of the mold the first moveable mold part and the second moveable mold part are moved together over different distances in different areas of the mold;
• wherein the different distances locally affect the degree of compression of the expanded particles, wherein the different distances are essentially proportional, to the thickness distribution in the molded plastic component at least for a section of the mold;
• d. compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold;
• and
• e. fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component;
• f. wherein the mold has a larger volume in an open position than in a closed position.