SLIPPER TOOL, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING THE SLIPPER TOOL FOR MOLDING

摘要

A system includes a press (114), an external heater (113) and a slipper tool (110). The press is moveable between an open position and a closed position, and has a mold tool (144). The external heater is located outside the press. The slipper tool is moveable between the external heater and a mold space (115) of the press when the press is in an open position. The slipper tool has a surface configured to receive thereon a material of a product to be molded. The surface corresponds to a molded surface of the product. When the slipper tool is at the external heater, the external heater is configured to heat the material received on the slipper tool. When the slipper tool is in the mold space and the press is in a closed position, the mold tool is configured to press the heated material against the surface of the slipper tool to mold the product.