# US 2016/0207239 A1 · Mould tool having moving parts > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0207239 A1 - Document ID: US20160207239A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/047,967 - Filed: 2014-08-18 - Published: 2016-07-21 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-22 - Assignees: Surface Generation Limited - Applicants: Surface Generation Limited - Inventors: Ben HALFORD - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160207239A1 ## CPC - B29C 45/4005: {Ejector constructions; Ejector operating mechanisms (B29C45/44 takes precedence)} - B29C 45/73: of the mould {(B29C45/2642 and B29C45/2737 take precedence)} - B29C 45/78: of temperature - B29C 33/02: with incorporated heating or cooling means - B29C 33/442: {with mechanical ejector or drive means therefor} - B29C 45/26: Moulds - B29C 45/401: {Ejector pin constructions or mountings} - B29C 2045/4026: {Ejectors with internal cooling} - B29C 2045/7393: {alternately heating and cooling} - B29C 2945/76531: Temperature - B29C 2945/76722: ejectors - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## Abstract A mould tool (100) has a first part (102) defining a first area (114) of a mould profile, an actuated part (130) defining a second, adjacent area (132) of the mould profile, which actuated part is configured to move from a moulding position to an actuated position at the end of each mould cycle to facilitate removal of a moulded component. The actuated part (130) comprises a temperature control apparatus (108) configured to control the temperature of the actuated part to influence a clearance (C) between the first part and the actuated part by thermal expansion and/or contraction of the actuated part. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mould tool comprising: a first part defining a first area of a mould profile; an actuated part defining a second, adjacent area of the mould profile, which actuated part is configured to move from a moulding position to an actuated position at the end of each mould cycle to facilitate removal of a moulded component; wherein the actuated part comprises a temperature control apparatus configured to control a temperature of the actuated part to influence a clearance between the first part and the actuated part by thermal expansion and/or contraction of the actuated part. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A mould tool according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control apparatus is configured to alternately heat and cool the actuated part. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A mould tool according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control apparatus is heated and/or cooled by a heated and/or cooled fluid. ### Claim 4 (canceled) ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A mould tool according to claim 3, wherein the temperature control apparatus comprises a fluid channel having a heater therein, which fluid channel is configured to direct fluid into the actuated part such that heating of the actuated part is carried out by heating fluid passing the heater. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A mould tool according to claim 5, wherein the temperature control apparatus comprises a controller configured to switch between a heating mode in which the heater is activated, and a cooling mode in which the heater is inactive, in which fluid flows into the actuated part in both the heating and cooling modes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A mould tool according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to increase the flow rate of the fluid in the cooling mode compared to the heating mode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A mould tool according to claim 6, further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the actuated part and feed back a temperature signal to the controller. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) A mould tool according to claim 6, further comprising a strain gauge configured to measure a strain of the actuated part and feed back a strain signal to the controller. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) A mould tool according to claim 6, wherein the mould tool is configured such that the mould face is divided into a plurality of temperature controlled zones, each temperature controlled zone comprising an independently operable temperature control apparatus. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A mould tool according to claim 13, wherein the temperature control apparatuses of the temperature controlled zones share a common controller with the temperature control apparatus of the actuated part. ### Claim 15 (canceled) ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A mould tool according to claim 1, further comprising a tool controller configured to control a mould tool cycle, which tool controller is configured to: firstly demand that the actuated part is moved to the moulding position; secondly demand that the actuated part is heated by the temperature control apparatus; thirdly demand that the actuated part is cooled by the temperature control apparatus; and, fourthly demand that the actuated part is moved to the actuated position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A mould tool according to claim 1, wherein the first part of the mould tool comprises a collar extending therefrom to surround the actuated part from movement thereof. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A mould tool according to claim 17 wherein the collar surrounds the actuated part and extends to an exhaust layer of the mould tool. ### Claim 19 A method of manufacturing a moulded component comprising the steps of: providing a mould tool having a first part defining a first area, and an actuated part defining a second, adjacent area; moving the actuated part to a moulding position where the first and second areas form a continuous mould profile; independently heating the actuated part to close a gap between the actuated part and the first part; curing a moulded component in the mould tool; independently cooling the actuated part to open a gap between the actuated part and the first part; and, moving the actuated part to facilitate removal of the moulded component from the mould tool. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A method of manufacturing a moulded component according to claim 19, wherein the actuated part is heated and/or cooled by fluid. ### Claim 21 (canceled) ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) A method of manufacturing a moulded component according to claim 20, comprising the step of: providing a temperature control apparatus having a fluid channel with a heater therein, which fluid channel is configured to direct fluid into the actuated part; wherein the step of heating comprises the step of passing fluid over the activated heater. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) A method of manufacturing a moulded component according to claim 20, wherein the fluid flow rate is higher during cooling. ### Claim 24 (canceled) ### Claim 25 (canceled)