Automatic cutting, heating and transfer of panels for thermo-forming - for efficient mfr. of shaped thermoplastic carpets for cars etc.

摘要

Appts. for heating thermoformable sheet comprises a platform having twin working zones which can each be used alternately for setting up of panels of sheet and for heating the panels. The appts. includes mechanisms for shifting heated panels into an adjacent thermoforming press. Used esp. for shaping thermoplastic (polyolefin) carpets for e.g. vehicle flooring covers. The appts. eliminates traditional manual handling/transfer of panels from stock strip to conditioning ovens and subsequently from the ovens to the moulding machine. One unit may serve two presses. Pref. the panels are drawn and cut from a reel of wound sheet automatically. The end and then the edges of the sheet being gripped as appropriate. The sheet may be drawn from a support beneath or beside the clamping/heating platform.