| 摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus for the manufacture of moulded components, in which a component forming curable material (2) is first deposited on the surface of a support (1). The support (1) is formed from a material which exhibits viscoelastic properties and has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the curable material. Heating means (8), e.g. a resistive electrical heater, are provided to heat the support (1) whilst it is restrained against displacement relative to the curable material. The restraint is then removed, the support cooled, and the cured component (2) removed. Because the curable material has a smaller coefficient of thermal expansion than the support (1), the thermal expansion of the support is restrained as it is heated. Thus, when subsequently cooled it contracts to a size that is less than its original size and therefore the cured component (2) can be readily removed.</p> |
