Dual load charge manufacturing method and press therefore

A press for manufacturing a dual load charge in a single consolidation pressing operation, the press comprising:

• an outer press having a working surface and a channel therethrough, the outer press receivable in a cavity;
• a first inner press receivable in the channel of the outer press, the first inner press having a working surface which extends beyond the working surface of the outer press;
• and
• a second inner press receivable in the channel of the outer press, the second inner press having a working surface which is flush with the working surface of the outer press.

A method of manufacturing a dual load pellet in a single consolidation pressing operation, the method comprising:

• placing a first type explosive into a cavity to form a booster charge;
• forming a pocket in the booster charge by disposing an outer press having a working surface and a channel therethrough in the cavity in combination with a first inner press receivable in the outer press, the first inner press having a working surface which extends beyond the working surface of the outer press in order to form the pocket;
• disposing a second type explosive in the pocket to form an initiating charge by removing the first inner press and pouring the second type explosive into the channel of the outer press;
• and
• simultaneously consolidating both the booster charge and the initiating charge thereby forming a dual load pellet with intimate contact between the booster charge and the initiating charge by placing a second inner press in the channel of the outer press, the second inner press having a working surface which is flush with the working surface of the outer press, and by applying pressure to the second inner press.

A method of manufacturing a dual load charge, the method comprising:

• placing a first type explosive into a cavity to form a booster charge;
• forming a pocket in the booster charge;
• disposing a second type explosive in the pocket of the booster charge to form an initiating charge therein;
• and
• consolidating both the booster charge and the initiating charge thereby forming a dual load charge with intimate contact between the booster charge and the initiating charge.

A method of manufacturing a dual load pellet, the method comprising:

• placing a first type explosive into a cavity to form a booster charge;
• forming a pocket in the booster charge by disposing an outer press having a working surface and a channel therethrough in the cavity in combination with a first inner press receivable in the outer press, the first inner press having a working surface which extends beyond the working surface of the outer press in order to form the pocket;
• disposing a second type explosive in the pocket to form an initiating charge by removing the first inner press and pouring the second type explosive into the channel of the outer press;
• and
• consolidating the initiating charge thereby forming a dual load pellet with intimate contact between the booster charge and the initiating charge by placing a second inner press in the channel of the outer press, the second inner press having a working surface which is flush with the working surface of the outer press, and by applying pressure to the second inner press.