Method and apparatus for transferring a pre-moulded film into a mould

摘要

A method and apparatus for transferring a pre-moulded film into a cavity comprising the following steps. A robotically controlled arm (10) having a loader (14) receives flexible film (30). The loader (14) comprises two moveable end portions (18,20) and a main portion (16) there between. The pre-moulded film (30) is transferred onto the loader (14). The end portions (18,20) are retracted so that the loader (14) is in a retracted position. The loader (14) is moved to a position within a cavity (40). The cavity (40) has an opening (46) that is larger then the loader (14) when the loader (14) is in the retracted position. The film (30) is transferred to the cavity (40) by aligning the film with corresponding three-dimensional contours on the cavity (40). The end portions (18,20) are extended so that essentially the entire surface of the film contacts the cavity. The loader (14) is withdrawn from the cavity by first retracting the end portions (18,20) and removing the loader (14).