JP3010965B2 - Method for producing long object having irregular cross section and extrusion molding apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a long product such as a weather strip having a so-called irregular cross section having a different cross sectional shape depending on a portion, and an extrusion molding apparatus therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a weather strip is mounted on an opening of a vehicle body of an automobile to seal a space between the vehicle body and a mating member such as a door. As shown in FIG. 10, the weather strip 31 is formed in a long shape by a known extrusion molding method, and has a sectional shape as shown in FIG. That is, the weather strip 31 is a trim part 32 attached to the vehicle body, extends from the trim part 32 to the outside of the vehicle (right side in the figure), and has a design lip for covering a joint part of the vehicle body. A part 33 and the like are provided. The lip 33
Has a functional portion 33a protruding inward of the vehicle (lower left side in the figure) at the tip. When the weather strip 31 is mounted on the vehicle, the functional portion 33a of the lip portion 33 comes into contact with the vehicle body to cover the joint portion and the like.

Incidentally, the shape and the like of the mounting portion on the vehicle body side differ depending on each part. For this reason, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for changing the width W of the lip portion 33 depending on the mounting portion. Therefore, as a technique for responding to this demand, for example, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H2-224094 is cited.

In this technique, unvulcanized rubber is extruded from an extrusion orifice. For example, as described above, when it is desired to partially reduce the width W of the lip portion 33, the shutter is moved to close a part of the extrusion orifice. Due to this partial blockage,
The width W of the lip 33 can be reduced at a certain portion.

[0005]

However, in the above prior art, in order to change the width W of the lip portion 33, the shutter is moved to close a part of the extrusion orifice. For this reason, when the shutter was moved, the passage of the unvulcanized rubber became narrow, and the pressure applied to the extrusion orifice temporarily increased. When the pressure applied to the extrusion orifice is increased as described above, there is a possibility that the shape of the weather strip cannot be formed into a desired shape. If the pressure is too high, there is a possibility that the extrusion apparatus itself may be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to partially have a predetermined cross-sectional shape and a cross-section (irregular cross-section) different from the predetermined cross-sectional shape. In a long object, it is possible to suppress an increase in pressure applied to an orifice when forming the irregular cross-sectional shape, thereby obtaining a long object having a desired irregular cross-sectional shape and preventing damage to the device itself. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a long object having a deformed cross section and an extrusion molding apparatus therefor.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a long object having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and a cross-sectional shape partially different from the predetermined cross-sectional shape is manufactured. Forming a permanent portion of the long object by extruding a first unvulcanized rubber forward from a fixed orifice formed in a fixed die plate; and A second unvulcanized rubber is extruded forward from a movable orifice formed in a movable die plate provided in a receiving portion so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the first unvulcanized rubber is extruded. Forming the deformed portion of the elongated object, and connecting the invariable portion and the deformed portion of the elongated object to each other by a third unvulcanized rubber that is pushed forward from a joining orifice formed in the fixed die plate. Join Forming a joining portion, moving the movable die plate in the direction of the fixed orifice at a predetermined timing, and moving the movable die plate in the direction of the fixed orifice. Guiding the at least one unvulcanized rubber to a bypass hole formed in the fixed die plate via the joining orifice; and a front plate provided on the front side of the fixed die plate and the movable die plate. Forming a third unvulcanized rubber extruded from the bonding orifice by the bonding molding orifice, discharging the excess unvulcanized rubber from the bypass hole, and forming each of the steps. A step of vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber and then cooling, and a step of cutting the vulcanized rubber having undergone the vulcanization and cooling steps into a desired length And as its gist further comprising a.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an extrusion molding apparatus used for producing a long product having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and a cross-sectional shape partially different from the predetermined cross-sectional shape, A fixed die having a fixed orifice for forming an invariable portion of the long object by the first unvulcanized rubber extruded forward, and a fixed opening formed at one end of the fixed orifice with a first opening. A first plate and a receiving portion formed in the fixed die plate so as to communicate with the first opening, the first die being provided so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the extrusion direction of the unvulcanized rubber; A movable orifice for extruding the second unvulcanized rubber forward from the supply port to form a deformed portion of the elongated object, and having one end of the movable orifice communicating with the first opening; 2 openings are formed A fixed die plate formed to communicate with a moving die plate and the first and second openings, and a third unvulcanized rubber is extruded forward from a second supply port so that the long object remains unchanged. A joining orifice for forming a joining portion for joining a portion and a deformed portion to each other; and a fixed orifice formed in a portion of the fixed die plate separated from the orifices, and by moving the movable die plate in the fixed orifice direction. A bypass hole communicating with the joining orifice, and a first outlet portion provided at a front side of the fixed die plate and the movable die plate, the first outlet portion only extruding the first unvulcanized rubber extruded from the fixed orifice. A front plate having a second outlet portion that does not abut against a second unvulcanized rubber extruded from the movable orifice; A joint forming orifice formed on the front plate to communicate with the outlet portion and forming a third unvulcanized rubber extruded from the joint orifice; and an excess uncured hole formed on the front plate and from the bypass hole. The gist of the invention is to provide a discharge port for discharging vulcanized rubber.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the first unvulcanized rubber is extruded forward from the fixed orifice formed in the fixed die plate to form an invariable portion of a long object. Further, the second unvulcanized rubber is extruded forward from the movable orifice of the movable die plate provided in the accommodating portion of the fixed die plate to form a long-shaped deformed portion. Further, the invariable portion and the deformed portion of the long object are joined to each other by the third unvulcanized rubber extruded forward from the joining orifice formed in the fixed die plate, thereby forming a joined portion. At the same time, a third unvulcanized rubber extruded from the joining orifice is formed by the joining orifice of the front plate provided on the front side of the fixed die plate and the movable die plate.

[0010] When the movable die plate is moved in the direction of the fixed orifice at a predetermined timing, the opening area of the joining orifice becomes smaller with the movement. For this reason, the cross-sectional shape of the portion of the long object excluding the invariable portion is narrowed, and an irregular cross-sectional shape is formed.

Thereafter, the molded unvulcanized rubber is vulcanized and cooled. Then, the vulcanized rubber that has undergone the vulcanization and cooling steps is cut into a desired length, thereby producing a long product having an irregular cross section.

Here, the third unvulcanized rubber becomes excessive with the movement of the movable die plate. However, this excess unvulcanized rubber is led to the bypass hole via the joining orifice. Then, the excess unvulcanized rubber is discharged through a discharge port formed in the front plate, for example. Therefore, when the movable die plate moves, the pressure applied to each orifice does not fluctuate due to excessive unvulcanized rubber.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first unvulcanized rubber extruded forward passes through the fixed orifice of the fixed die plate to form an invariable portion of the long object. In addition, the second unvulcanized rubber from the first supply port is extruded forward and passes through the movable orifice of the movable die plate to form a long-shaped deformed portion. Further, a joining orifice formed in the fixed die plate so as to communicate with the first opening at one end of the fixed orifice and the second opening at one end of the movable orifice is connected to a third opening from the second supply port. By passing the vulcanized rubber, the invariable portion and the deformed portion of the long object are joined to each other. Then, the first unvulcanized rubber extruded from the fixed orifice is extruded through the first outlet without contacting the first outlet. Further, the second unvulcanized rubber extruded from the movable orifice is extruded through the second outlet without contacting the second outlet. Further, the third unvulcanized rubber extruded from the joining orifice is formed by passing through a joining forming orifice communicating with the first and second outlets.

[0014] The opening area of the joining orifice is reduced by the movement of the movable die plate in the direction of the fixed orifice. For this reason, the cross-sectional shape of the portion of the long object excluding the invariable portion is narrowed, and an irregular cross-sectional shape is formed.

Here, the third unvulcanized rubber becomes excessive as the movable die plate moves. However, with the movement, a bypass hole formed in a portion distant from each orifice communicates with the joining orifice. For this reason, excess unvulcanized rubber is guided from the joining orifice to the bypass hole. Then, the excess unvulcanized rubber is discharged through a discharge port formed in the front plate, for example. Therefore, when the movable die plate moves, the pressure applied to each orifice does not fluctuate due to excessive unvulcanized rubber.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.
9 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, a long weather strip 2 is attached to the periphery of the door opening of the vehicle body 1. This weather strip 2 is formed of EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber) by an extrusion molding method described later,
Except for a part, they have almost the same cross-sectional shape.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the weather strip 2 includes a trim portion 3 having a substantially U-shaped cross section which is fitted to a flange (not shown) of the vehicle body 1, and one end edge of the trim portion 3. And a lip portion 4 extending to the outside of the vehicle (the right side in FIG. 3). At the tip of the lip portion 4, a functional portion 4a projecting mainly toward the inside of the vehicle (the lower side in FIG. 3) is integrally formed. When the weather strip 2 is mounted, the functional portion 4a of the lip portion 4 comes into contact with the peripheral edge of the door opening, and the joint portion of the vehicle body 1 and the like are covered. As a result, the design is improved when viewed from the outside of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the width W of the lip portion 4 of the weather strip 2 differs depending on the position. This is because the shape of the mounting portion differs depending on each part of the mounting portion on the vehicle body 1 side.

Next, a description will be given of an extrusion molding apparatus used for manufacturing the above-mentioned weather strip 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, unvulcanized (plasticized) EPDM
Is pushed forward (leftward in FIG. 1) from a pushing means (not shown). The unvulcanized EPDM is formed through an extrusion molding device 5.

That is, the extrusion molding apparatus 5 includes a rear plate 8 having a fixed die plate 6 and a movable die plate 7, and a front plate 9 disposed in contact with the front surface of the rear plate 8. I have. The fixed die plate 6 is provided with a fixed orifice 10 for forming the trim portion 3 which is a constant portion of the weather strip 2. One end of the fixed orifice 10, that is,
A portion of the fixed orifice 10 corresponding to the lip portion 4 (the right portion in FIG. 4) is a first opening 11. The unvulcanized EPDM (first unvulcanized EPDM) extruded forward from the extruding means is formed into a trim portion 3 by a fixed orifice 10 and extruded forward.

The fixed die plate 6 has the first
A rectangular accommodating portion 13 communicating with the opening 11 is formed. The movable die plate 7 is provided in the accommodating portion 13 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the extrusion direction of the first unvulcanized rubber (the left-right direction in FIG. 4). The movable die plate 7 is provided with a movable orifice 14 for forming the lip portion 4 which is a (possibly) deformed portion of the weather strip 2. This movable orifice 14
, That is, a portion (the left portion in FIG. 4) communicating with the first opening 11 is a second opening 15. Also, the first supply port 1 is provided in the movable die plate 7 or the like.
2 are formed. Then, the unvulcanized EPDM (second unvulcanized EPDM) extruded from the extrusion means through the first supply port 12 becomes the shape of the tip of the lip 4 from the movable orifice 14 and moves forward. It is designed to be extruded.

Further, the fixed die plate 6 is formed with a joining orifice 17 communicating with the first and second openings 11 and 15. In addition, a second supply port 16 is formed in the fixed die plate 6. And
Unvulcanized EPDM extruded from the second supply port 16
The (third unvulcanized EPDM) is pushed forward from the joining orifice 17 so as to join the trim part 3 and the lip part 4 to each other.

On the other hand, the first plate 9
And second outlet portions 19 and 20 are formed. These first and second outlet portions 19 and 20 are provided with a first unvulcanized EPDM extruded from the fixed orifice 10 and a second unvulcanized EPDM extruded from the movable orifice 14.
However, both have a sufficient opening area so that they do not abut at all. The front plate 9 is formed with a joint forming orifice 21 communicating with the first and second outlet portions 19 and 20. And the third unvulcanized EPDM
However, as it passes through the joint forming orifice 21, a joint portion between the trim portion 3 and the lip portion 4 (mainly, a base end portion of the lip portion 4) is formed.

In this embodiment, a bypass hole 22 is formed in the fixed die plate 6 at a position apart from the fixed orifice 10 and the movable orifice 14. The bypass hole 22 is provided in the movable die plate 7.
Is located at the outermost (rightmost side of the figure), it is isolated from all other orifices. A gap is formed by moving the movable die plate 7 in the direction of the fixed orifice 10 (to the left in the figure), and the bypass hole 22 is communicated with the joining orifice 17.

The front plate 9 is provided with a discharge port 23 communicating with the bypass hole 22. When excessive unvulcanized EPDM is extruded from the bypass hole 22, it is discharged to the discharge port 23. It is designed to be discharged from. The discharge port 23 may be formed to extend from the bypass hole 22 of the fixed die plate 6 to the outermost side (rightmost side in the drawing) of the movable die plate 7.

Further, in this embodiment, a manufacturing apparatus for finally manufacturing the weather strip 2 via the extrusion molding apparatus 5 is provided. That is, the manufacturing apparatus is provided with the molded unvulcanized E outside the extrusion molding apparatus 5.
A vulcanizing device (not shown) for vulcanizing the PDM, a cooling device (not shown) for cooling the vulcanized EPDM, and finally cutting the EPDM into predetermined lengths A cutting device (not shown) for obtaining the weather strip 2 is provided. However, in the present embodiment, since each of these devices uses a known technique, the detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, a manufacturing method for manufacturing the weather strip 2 using the manufacturing apparatus including the extrusion molding apparatus 5 and the operation at the time of manufacturing will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the movable die plate 7 is located at the outermost position. Then, the unvulcanized EPDM is extruded from the extruding means. Then, the unvulcanized EPDM is also diverted to the first and second supply ports 12 and 16 and extruded. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first unvulcanized EPDM that has passed through the fixed orifice 10 is extruded forward from the fixed orifice 10 in the form of the trim portion 3. Further, the second unvulcanized EPDM having passed through the movable orifice 14 through the first supply port 12 is extruded forward from the movable orifice 14 in the shape of the lip 4. At this time, since the opening areas of the first and second outlet portions 19 and 20 are sufficiently large, the first and second unvulcanized EPDM extruded from the rear plate 8 are not covered with the front plate 9.
Is not deformed at all.

Further, the third unvulcanized E which has passed through the joining orifice 17 of the rear plate 8 through the second supply port 16 is provided.
The PDM bonds the first and second unvulcanized EPDM to each other. Further, in the front plate 9, the third unvulcanized EPDM passes through the joint forming orifice 21.
With this passage, the third unvulcanized EPDM is formed into the shape of the joint portion, that is, the base end portion of the lip portion 4.

Then, when it is time to make the width W of the lip 4 shorter than before, the movable die plate 7 is moved in the direction of the fixed orifice 10 as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the movable orifice 14 moves to the left in the figure, and the width of the joining orifice 17 becomes shorter. For this reason, the width of the third unvulcanized EPDM is reduced because the width of the joining portion is reduced. Then, the width W of the lip portion 4 is formed short while the shape of the tip portion of the lip portion 4 is maintained. When the timing to return the width W of the lip portion 4 to the original long state has come, an operation reverse to the above is performed.

The unvulcanized EPDM thus formed is supplied to a vulcanizing apparatus, a cooling apparatus, a cutting apparatus, and other manufacturing apparatuses. Thereby, the unvulcanized EPDM is vulcanized,
After cooling, the vulcanized EPDM (weather strip 2 before cutting) is cut to a predetermined length. As a result, as described above, it is possible to obtain the weather strip 2 in which the width W of the lip portion 4, that is, the cross-sectional shape is different depending on the portion.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, as the movable die plate 7 moves in the direction of the fixed orifice 10, the width of the joining orifice 17 becomes shorter. The opening area becomes smaller. For this reason, in the related art, an extremely large pressure is applied to the orifice portion by an amount corresponding to the decrease in the opening area. However, in the present embodiment, the bypass hole 22 is formed in the fixed die plate 6, and the movable die plate 7 moves in the direction of the fixed orifice 10, so that the bypass hole 22 communicates with the joining orifice 17. As a result, excessive unvulcanized EPDM (mainly, third unvulcanized EPDM) is generated when the movable die plate 7 is moved. The excessive unvulcanized EPDM is transferred from the joining orifice 17 to the bypass hole 22. Be guided. Then, excess unvulcanized EPDM is discharged from a discharge port 23 formed in the front plate 9. Therefore, when the movable die plate 7 moves, the pressure applied to each of the orifices 10, 14, 17, 21 does not fluctuate due to the excessive unvulcanized rubber. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in pressure applied to the orifices 10, 14, 17, 21 when forming the irregular cross-sectional shape. As a result, it is possible to prevent an unexpected change in the cross-sectional shape different from the design due to the increase in the pressure, and thus it is possible to obtain the weather strip 2 having a desired irregular cross-sectional shape. Further, it is possible to prevent the extrusion molding device 5 from being damaged by the increase in pressure.

In the present embodiment, the movable die plate 7 having the movable orifice 14 for forming the tip of the lip 4 is moved. For this reason, even if the width W of the lip portion 4 becomes narrow, the tip shape is not deformed, and the same shape can be secured.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be carried out as follows by appropriately changing a part of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the invention. (1) In the above embodiment, the present invention is embodied in the weather strip 2 in which the width W of the lip portion 4 varies depending on the portion.
Not only the lip portion 4 but also other shapes having different shapes may be embodied. For example, when a hollow seal portion is formed on the movable die plate 7, a weather strip in which the positional relationship between the hollow portion and the main body changes can be manufactured. In addition, the present invention is not limited to weather strips,
It can also be applied to long objects such as side moldings.

(2) In the above embodiment, the weather strip 2 is formed by EPDM, but other rubber may be used. (3) In the above embodiment, the first and second extruding means
Although the unvulcanized EPDM is branched and supplied to the supply ports 12 and 16 of the above, it may be embodied when individual extrusion means is provided. A configuration having other supply ports in addition to the first and second supply ports 12 and 16 may be adopted.

[0035]

As described above in detail, according to the method for manufacturing a weather strip and the extrusion molding apparatus of the present invention, a long object having a predetermined sectional shape and a partially irregular sectional shape can be used. An excellent effect of suppressing an increase in pressure applied to the orifice when forming the cross-sectional shape is achieved. Further, for this reason, a long object having a desired irregular cross-sectional shape can be obtained, and an excellent effect that damage to the device itself can be prevented can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an apparatus for extruding a weather strip according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle body showing a mounting position of a weather strip in one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing a weather strip in one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a main part of an apparatus for extruding a weather strip in one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view showing an operation when unvulcanized EPDM is extruded in the extrusion molding apparatus in one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an operation when an unvulcanized EPDM is extruded in the extrusion molding apparatus in one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state when the movable die plate is moved in the direction of the fixed orifice in the extrusion molding apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front sectional view showing the operation when the movable die plate is moved in the direction of the fixed orifice in the extrusion molding apparatus according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an operation when the movable die plate is moved in the direction of the fixed orifice in the extrusion molding apparatus in one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a weather strip according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... weather strip as long object, 6 ... fixed die plate, 7 ... movable die plate, 10 ... fixed orifice, 11 ... first opening, 12 ... first supply port, 13 ...
Receiving section, 14 movable orifice, 15 second opening,
Reference numeral 16 denotes a second supply port, 17 denotes a joining orifice, 19 denotes a first outlet portion, 20 denotes a second outlet portion, 21 denotes a joining formed orifice, 22 denotes a bypass hole, and 23 denotes a discharge port.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-258330 (JP, A) JP-A-63-246233 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B29C 47/00-47/96

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a long object (2) having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and a cross-sectional shape partially different from the predetermined cross-sectional shape, wherein a fixed die plate (6) is provided. Forming a permanent portion of the long object (2) by extruding the first unvulcanized rubber forward from the formed fixed orifice (10); 13) a second unvulcanized rubber from a movable orifice (14) formed in a movable die plate (7) provided movably in a direction orthogonal to the extrusion direction of the first unvulcanized rubber. Forming a deformed portion of the long object (2) by pushing forward a third unprocessed portion pushed forward from a joining orifice (17) formed in the fixed die plate (6). Due to the vulcanized rubber, the long part (2) remains Forming a joining portion for joining the shaped portions to each other; moving the movable die plate (7) in the direction of the fixed orifice (10) at a predetermined timing; Fixed orifice (1
2) and 3rd became excessive due to the movement in the direction of 0).
Guiding at least one of the unvulcanized rubber to a bypass hole (22) formed in the fixed die plate (6) through the joining orifice (17); and the fixed die plate (6) and the movable die. Forming a third unvulcanized rubber extruded from the bonding orifice (17) by a bonding orifice (21) of a front plate (9) provided on a front side of the plate (7); 22) discharging the excess unvulcanized rubber from step 22), vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber formed through the above steps, and then cooling the vulcanized rubber; and vulcanized after the vulcanization and cooling steps. Cutting the rubber into a desired length. A method for producing a long object having an irregular cross section. 2. An extrusion molding apparatus used for manufacturing a long object (2) having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and a cross-sectional shape partially different from the predetermined cross-sectional shape, wherein the extruding device is extruded forward. A fixed orifice (1) for forming an invariable portion of the long object (2) with the first unvulcanized rubber
0), and one end of the fixed orifice (10) has a first
A fixed die plate (6) having an opening (11) formed therein, and a housing (13) formed in the fixed die plate (6) to communicate with the first opening (11). , Provided to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the extrusion direction of the first unvulcanized rubber, and a second supply port from the first supply port (12).
The movable orifice (14) has a movable orifice (14) for extruding the unvulcanized rubber forward to form a deformed portion of the elongated object (2), and the first opening ( A movable die plate (7) having a second opening (15) communicating with the first and second openings (11, 15); and the fixed die plate (6) communicating with the first and second openings (11, 15). ), And extruding the third unvulcanized rubber from the second supply port (16) forward to form a joining portion for joining the invariable portion and the deformed portion of the long object (2) to each other. The fixed orifice (10) of the movable die plate (7) is formed at a portion of the fixed die plate (6) apart from the orifices (10, 14, 17).
A bypass hole (22) communicating with the joining orifice (17) by movement in the direction; and a fixed orifice (10) provided at the front side of the fixed die plate (6) and the movable die plate (7).
A first outlet portion (19) that does not come into contact with a first unvulcanized rubber extruded from the second orifice that only comes into contact with a second unvulcanized rubber that is extruded from the movable orifice (14). Front plate (9) having two outlets (20)
Forming a third unvulcanized rubber formed on the front plate (9) so as to communicate with the first and second outlets (19, 20) and extruded from the joining orifice (17). A joint forming orifice (21); and a discharge port (23) formed in the front plate (9) for discharging excess unvulcanized rubber from the bypass hole (22). Extrusion molding equipment for long objects with irregular cross sections.