Hot-pressing tool, method of operating it, and corresponding installation and method of manufacture

A hot-pressing tool to be mounted on a press, the hot-pressing tool comprising:

• a first tool portion including first fastener member to removeably fasten the first tool portion to a first platen;
• a second tool portion including second fastener member to removeably fasten the second tool portion to a second platen;
• a pressing chamber to receive an object to be pressed, the pressing chamber being defined by movement of the first tool portion and the second tool portion with respect to one another between a distant position and a close position;
• a heating device to heat an inner volume of the pressing chamber via optical radiation, the heating device having a concentration member to concentrate the optical radiation in a direction of the object;
• and
• a first pressing member on the first tool portion, and a second pressing member on the second tool portion, to exert, respectively, a pressing force on opposite faces of the object when received in the pressing chamber.

A method for using a hot pressing tool, the method comprising:

• providing a hot pressing tool that includes:
• a first tool portion including first fastener member to removeably fasten the first tool portion to a first platen;
• a second tool portion including second fastener member to removeably fasten the second tool portion to a second platen;
• a pressing chamber to receive an object to be pressed, the pressing chamber being defined by movement of the first tool portion and the second tool portion with respect to one another between a distant position and a close position;
• a heating device to heat an inner volume of the pressing chamber via optical radiation, the heating device having a concentration member to concentrate the optical radiation in a direction of the object;
• and
• a first pressing member on the first tool portion, and a second pressing member on the second tool portion, to exert, respectively, a pressing force on opposite faces of the object when received in the pressing chamber,
• placing the first tool portion and the second tool portion in the distant position;
• arranging the object to be pressed in a pressing seat;
• moving the first tool portion and the second tool portion towards a closed position so as to define the pressing chamber and confine the object therein;
• heating, via the heating device, the inner volume of the pressing chamber to a target temperature;
• and
• exerting a pressure on opposite faces of the object to be pressed, while maintaining the inner volume of the pressing chamber at a temperature that is close to the target temperature.