Apparatus for reducing thermoplastic material compression mold cycle time

摘要

A thermoplastic sheet is placed between a pair of mold members each having a thermal insulator and a mating metal mold insert. RF energy is applied to the inserts to dielectrically heat and melt the thermoplastic sheet. The heated sheet is then deformed in a low pressure press with the insulators. The insulators are then replaced with cool thermally conductive structures to shorten the cooling cycle time. The thermally conductive structures cool the sheet by pressing the sheet in a high pressure press.