| 摘要 |
Thermal presses and methods for operating thermal presses in the fabrication of finished articles from a web of thermoplastic material. In one embodiment, a thermal press includes a primary frame, a drive shaft rotatably attached to the frame, and a first arm projecting away from the drive shaft. The drive shaft can extend from one side of the frame to another to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and the drive shaft can have a load area spaced apart from the primary frame. The first arm projects from the drive shaft at the load area, and the first arm is connected to the drive shaft to rotate with the drive shaft. The first arm includes a connecting point configured to pivotally attach the first arm to a second link that is rotatably attached to a first forming assembly. The rotation of the drive shaft rotates the first arm and the second link to move the first forming assembly along a travel path between an engage position and a disengage position. In the engage position, the first forming assembly presses the web against a second forming assembly to deform a portion of the web. As the first and second assemblies press against the web, a load force is exerted at the load area on the drive shaft. In a disengaged position, the first and second forming assemblies are spaced apart from the web. The thermal press also includes a counter-force assembly that can have a counteracting element and a support element. When the drive shaft rotates the first arm to position the first forming assembly in the engaged position, the counteracting element is configured to engage the support element and the first arm and/or the drive shaft at the load area to exert a counteracting force at the load area that opposes the load force.
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