Apparatus of preparing a molded article

A sheet molding apparatus comprising:

• a. a first mold portion having an interior mold surface, and a perimeter edge, said interior mold surface having a contour and a plurality of perforations,
• b. a frame surrounding at least a portion of said perimeter edge of said first mold portion, said frame having an upper surface, said first mold portion and said frame being reversibly vertically positionable relative to each other, and
• c. at least one sheet retainer, each sheet retainer having a clamp portion facing towards said perimeter edge of said first mold portion and comprising a clamp member and a clamp interior, said clamp member being reversibly closeable, said clamp interior being defined in part by said clamp member, each sheet retainer being independently, reversibly and laterally attached to said upper surface of said frame such that said clamp portion is reversibly and laterally positionable relative to said perimeter edge;
• d. a vacuum apparatus that is in fluid communication with said first mold portion, said vacuum apparatus controllably drawing reduced pressure through said plurality of perforations of said interior mold surface of said first mold portion,
• wherein the clamp interior of said clamp portion of said sheet retainer is dimensioned to receive and retain a first portion of a second surface of a heated thermoplastic sheet therein, when said clamp member is positioned in a closed position, and reversible lateral movement of said sheet retainer with said first portion of said second surface of said heated thermoplastic sheet retained within said clamp member, assists and controls at least a portion of a thickness of a second portion of said heated thermoplastic sheet that is contacted with said first mold portion.