JP4392403B2 - Thermoforming equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a thermoforming equipment for molding with a mold while heating the sheet at a hot plate.

In Patent Document 1, when the resin sheet is carried in by the resin sheet carrying-in mechanism, the heating plate and the mold are separated from each other, and the heating plate and the mold are brought close to the carried resin sheet to soften the resin sheet by heating. In addition, there is described a thermoforming apparatus that forms a molded product by deforming the heat-softened resin sheet according to the shape of the mold surface. In this apparatus, the mold is fixed to the upper table.
JP 2005-297399 A

  If you try to replace the mold with the above device, it is necessary to remove the fixed mold in the device and attach another mold in the thermoforming device, which is not easy and takes a lot of time. It was.

An object of the present invention is to enable a mold to be pulled out smoothly and to form a sheet smoothly in a thermoforming apparatus that uses a mold while heating the sheet with a hot plate.

In order to achieve the above object, a thermoforming apparatus according to the present invention is disposed on one surface side of a sheet in a sheet conveying mechanism that conveys a sheet that can be formed in a predetermined conveying direction passing through a predetermined forming position. And a mold that is disposed at a mold-side molding position on the other surface side of the sheet at the molding position and has a molding surface that faces the hot plate, and is formed by the sheet conveying mechanism. When the sheet is conveyed, the hot plate and the mold are separated from each other, and when the sheet is conveyed to the molding position, the hot plate and the mold are brought close to each other and the shape of the molding surface is heated while heating the sheet. a forming mechanism for forming, keeping in the type comprising a mold pull-out mechanism for enabling a drawer to a different predetermined pull-out direction to the conveying direction of the sheet from the mold side molding position, the molding mechanism, the heat Opposite the board A mold table for holding the mold, and the mold drawing mechanism is attached to an edge of the mold table on the conveyance direction side and faces the heat plate in the mold from the edge. A mold drawing rail member that makes the mold movable in the drawing direction by wrapping around and contacting the mold table from a position where the mold drawing rail member contacts a surface of the mold facing the heat plate And a rail member retraction mechanism that enables retraction .

  That is, the mold can be pulled out from the mold-side molding position in a predetermined pulling direction different from the sheet conveying direction by the mold pulling mechanism. As a result, when performing mold replacement work, the replacement work can be easily performed by pulling the mold in a pull-out direction different from the sheet conveying direction. Therefore, it becomes easy to exchange the thermoforming mold using the hot plate, and the working efficiency of the mold exchange is improved.

  In addition, the mold can be pulled out smoothly, and the molded product does not interfere with the mold pull-out rail member during molding, so that the sheet can be molded smoothly.

The sheet to which the present invention can be applied may be any formable sheet, and for example, a resin sheet, a plastic sheet, or the like can be used.
The predetermined conveyance direction is preferably the horizontal direction because the sheet can be stably conveyed, but may be a direction deviated from the horizontal direction or a vertical direction.
The hot plate disposed on the one surface side of the sheet may be disposed so as to face the one surface of the sheet without contacting with the one surface of the sheet. The mold disposed on the other surface side of the sheet may contact the other surface of the sheet or may contact the other surface of the sheet without contacting.
When the hot plate and the mold are brought close to and away from each other, only one of them may be moved or both may be moved. Further, the sheet may be moved without moving the sheet when the hot plate and the mold are close to each other and separated from each other.
For the molding, thermoforming such as differential pressure molding can be used.
The predetermined pull-out direction can be various directions that are not parallel to the transport direction and the direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction.

According to the invention of claim 1, in thermoforming apparatus for molding with a mold while heating the sheet at the hot plate, it is possible to mold smoothly allow extraction, shaping the sheet into a circular smooth Is possible.

In the invention according to the second aspect , since the forming deviation does not occur, the sheet can be formed with higher accuracy.
In the invention which concerns on Claim 3 , the sheet | seat can be shape | molded accurately and smoothly, and the useful structure which can perform mold replacement | exchange smoothly can be provided.

In the invention according to claim 4 , since an excessive force is not applied to the support column and the mold table, the sheet can be molded more smoothly.
In the invention according to claim 5 , since the number of support columns is small, it is possible to reduce the cost of the thermoforming apparatus.

In the invention according to claim 6 , it becomes possible to form the sheet more smoothly .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Description of thermoforming device:
(2) Action of thermoforming device:
(3) Modification:

(1) Description of thermoforming device:
1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the thermoforming apparatus 100, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the molding mechanism 20 as viewed from the front, and FIG. 3 is a molding mechanism 20 when the molding die 40 is at a predetermined separation position L13. 4 is a right side view showing the molding mechanism 20 viewed from the right side, FIG. 4 is a right side view showing the molding mechanism 20 viewed from the right side when the mold 40 is at the predetermined proximity position L14, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the main part of the molding mechanism 20 as viewed from above from below the fixing member 51. FIG. 7 is a bottom view when viewing the bottom surface from below the mold 40. FIG. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the state where the mold 40 is assembled as viewed from the bottom side, FIG. 9 is a bottom view showing the state where the mold 40 is pulled out from the thermoforming apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a drawing showing the hot plate 30 extracted from the thermoforming apparatus. FIG. 12 is a side view showing the die pulling rail member 61 together with the rail side bracket 62a as seen from the side, and FIG. 13 is a rail member for fixing the rail member 61 to a predetermined die supporting position L5. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the state of the rail member retracting mechanism 62 for fixing the rail member 61 at a predetermined retracted position L6, and FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing the operation of the thermoforming apparatus. 16 is a right side view of the mold 40 placed on the rail member 61 as viewed from the right side, and FIG. 17 is a right side view of the mold 40 pulled out from the thermoforming apparatus as viewed from the right side. It is.
In FIG. 2, the direction from left to right is the predetermined conveyance direction D1, the left side is the upstream side of the sheet S1, and the right side is the downstream side of the sheet S1. 7, 9, 10, and 11, the position of the conveyed sheet S1 is indicated by a broken line.

The basic part of the thermoforming apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a sheet conveying mechanism 10, a forming mechanism 20, and a mold drawing mechanism 60.
The sheet transport mechanism 10 transports the sheet S1 in a predetermined transport direction D1 passing through a predetermined forming position L1.
The forming mechanism 20 includes a heating plate (hot plate) 30 disposed at a predetermined hot plate side forming position L3 on the lower surface (one surface) S1b side of the sheet S1 at the forming position L1, and the sheet S1 at the forming position L1. It has a mold 40 which is disposed at a predetermined mold side molding position L2 on the upper surface (other surface) S1a side and has a predetermined molding surface 41a facing the hot plate 30. The forming mechanism 20 separates the hot plate 30 and the mold 40 when the sheet S1 is conveyed by the sheet conveying mechanism 10, and the hot plate 30 and the mold 40 when the sheet S1 is conveyed to the forming position L1. The sheet S <b> 1 is heated in close proximity to be molded in accordance with the shape of the molding surface 41 a.
The mold drawing mechanism 60 allows the mold 40 to be pulled out from the mold side forming position L2 in a predetermined pulling direction D2 different from the conveying direction D1 of the sheet S1.
As described above, when exchanging the mold, the exchanging operation can be easily performed by pulling out the mold 40 in the drawing direction D2 different from the sheet conveying direction D1. Therefore, in a hot plate molding apparatus that uses a mold while heating a sheet with a hot plate, the mold can be easily exchanged and the work time for exchanging the mold can be shortened.

  The sheet S1 to be molded may be any sheet that can be molded. For example, a resin sheet such as a thermoplastic resin sheet, a plastic sheet exhibiting plasticity such as a thermoplastic sheet, and the like can be used. The resin sheet may be a sheet containing resin, and may be a sheet made of resin alone, a sheet made of a material in which an additive such as a filler is added to the resin, a single layer sheet, or a laminate of different materials. A laminated sheet may be used. The resin may be a synthetic resin such as a thermoplastic resin. As the material of the sheet, for example, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, ABS resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polycarbonate resin, and the like can be used. In particular, polypropylene resin is a suitable synthetic resin because it is relatively inexpensive and has heat resistance during use and good suitability for differential pressure molding. The sheet S1 may be in the form of a sheet or film, and may be wound in a roll or cut to a predetermined length. The thickness of the sheet can be various thicknesses such as about 1 to 2 mm and about 0.25 to 1 mm, and a film of about 0.25 mm or less may be used. When a thermoplastic sheet having such a thickness is used, differential pressure molding can be performed satisfactorily.

The sheet S1 is formed by thermoforming. The thermoforming is preferably differential pressure forming such as vacuum forming, pressure forming, or vacuum / pressure forming.
The sheet conveyance direction D1 is set so that the sheet is stably conveyed in the horizontal direction. However, the sheet conveyance direction D1 may be shifted in the upward direction from the horizontal direction, shifted in the downward direction from the horizontal direction, or vertically upward. , It may be vertically downward.
The mold drawing direction D2 is a horizontal direction that is not parallel to the conveyance direction D1 and is a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction D1, so that the amount of mold drawing is minimized to reduce the area required for installation of the thermoforming apparatus. However, even in a substantially orthogonal horizontal direction (for example, a direction shifted by 60 to 120 ° or 75 to 105 ° with respect to the conveyance direction D1), a direction (for example, with respect to the conveyance direction D1) approaching parallel to the conveyance direction D1. 30-60 [deg.] Or 120-150 [deg.].

  The sheet transport mechanism 10 of this embodiment includes a sheet supply mechanism 12 and a clamp transport mechanism 14. The sheet supply mechanism 12 can send out the sheet S1 wound in a roll shape in the transport direction D1 in a continuous state. The clamp conveyance mechanism 14 has clamp members 14a for clamping (gripping) both side edges of the formed sheet S2, and clamps both side edges of the sheet S2 formed at the forming position L1 in accordance with the forming timing. The sheet S1 clamped by the member 14a and pulled intermittently is pulled and conveyed in the conveying direction D1.

  The thermoforming apparatus 100 further includes a hot plate drawing mechanism 70. Moreover, you may provide the molded product taking-out mechanism which cuts out (cut | disconnects) the sheet | seat S2 after shaping | molding by predetermined length. The molded product take-out mechanism includes, for example, a cutting mechanism for cutting the molded sheet S2 by a predetermined length, a molded product stacking mechanism for stacking the cut sheets placed on a lifting table, and a stacked molded product stack. It is good also as a mechanism provided with the taking-out mechanism taken out on a take-out stand.

With the above configuration, the necessary amount of the roll-shaped sheet S1 is sequentially unwound from the sheet supply mechanism 12, conveyed in the predetermined conveyance direction D1, and carried into the forming position L1. When the sheet is conveyed, the hot plate 30 and the mold 40 are separated from each other. Here, since the hot plate 30 is disposed on the lower surface S1b side of the sheet at the forming position in contact with the lower surface, the sheet S1 at the forming position is supplied with heat from the hot plate 30, and is heated and softened. When the sheet is conveyed to the forming position, the hot plate 30 and the mold 40 come close to each other and sandwich the heated and softened sheet S1 at the forming position, and the sheet S1 is brought into close contact with the forming surface 41a by differential pressure forming. Thereby, the sheet S1 is formed according to the shape of the forming surface 41a.
After the forming, when the hot plate 30 and the mold 40 are separated from each other, both side edges of the formed sheet S2 that has already been carried out from the forming position L1 in the transport direction D1 are clamped by the clamp members 14a at the clamp position L11, and the clamp transport mechanism 14 horizontally moves from the clamp position to a predetermined release position L12 to further convey the sheet S2 by a predetermined amount in the conveyance direction D1. Then, the molded sheet S2 that has already been clamped is sent to, for example, a molded product take-out mechanism. In the molded product take-out mechanism, for example, the product is cut by a predetermined length and stacked on a lifting table that is sequentially lowered as necessary, and the molded product or the molded product stack is sent out onto the take-out table by the take-out mechanism.
As described above, a molded product can be formed from the sheet S1.

The molding mechanism 20 of the present embodiment includes a metal base 21, a vacuum / pressure air supply mechanism 25, a hot plate 30, a lower table (hot plate table) 35, a molding die 40, an upper table (mold table) 45, It comprises a mold table drive mechanism 50, a support column 555, and the like. Further, the mold drawing mechanism 60 of the present embodiment includes a mold drawing rail member 61, a rail member retracting mechanism 62, and a support member 63 with casters.
The upper table 45 is made of metal, for example, and holds the mold 40 with a lower surface 45 a facing the hot plate 30. A pair of mold pull-out rail members 61, 61 whose longitudinal direction is in the mold pull-out direction D2 are attached to both side edges 45c, d on the transport direction D1 side of the upper table 45. The rail member 61 wraps around and comes into contact with the lower surface 42a of the mold 40 facing the hot plate from the edge portions 45c and d of the upper table, thereby enabling the mold 40 to move in the drawing direction D2. Further, a rail member retracting mechanism 62 is provided at the downstream edge 45d so that the rail member 61 can be retracted in the direction of the upper table 45 from a position in contact with the lower surface 42a facing the hot plate in the mold 40. . As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the rail member retracting mechanism 62 positions the rail member 61 at a predetermined mold support position L5 or a predetermined retracted position L6.

With the above configuration, when the rail member 61 is at the mold support position L5, the mold 40 can be slid along the rail members 61 and 61 in both reciprocating directions in the pull-out direction D2. As a result, the mold can be pulled out smoothly.
Here, when the sheet is formed, if the height of the mold is low, the formed sheet S2 may come into contact with the rail member 61 on the downstream side. Therefore, when the mold is held on the upper table, the rail member 61 on the downstream side is retracted from the mold support position L5 to the retracted position L6. Thereby, since the molded product does not interfere with the mold drawing rail member at the time of molding, the sheet can be molded smoothly.

As shown in FIG. 8, the mold according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of replacement female molds (exchange molds) 41 and a mold base member 42. Each female die 41 is made of, for example, metal, has a molding surface 41a facing the hot plate 30, and has a vent hole (second vent hole) 41b on the molding surface. The mold base member 42 is made of, for example, metal, is formed in a substantially plate shape, and is formed with a mold holding portion 42e that removably holds the plurality of female molds 41 on the lower surface 42a facing the hot plate. A number of vent holes 42b are formed in the mold holding portion in accordance with the position of the female vent hole 41b. Here, in order to detachably attach and fix the female die to the die holding portion, for example, a screw hole is formed in the die holding portion and the female die, and a screw is screwed into the screw hole. Then, the female mold can be fixed to the mold holding part, and the female mold can be removed from the mold holding part by removing a screw. Thereby, a some female type | mold is attached and fixed to the type | mold base member so that replacement | exchange is possible.
A mold base member cooling mechanism that cools the mold base member 42 with a coolant, a thermocouple, or the like may be provided, and the female mold 41 may be cooled with the mold base member cooled during molding. Then, the temperature rise of the female mold in which the heated sheet is repeatedly contacted can be prevented, and molding can be performed stably for a long time.
Here, the mold drawing rail member 61 wraps around and comes into contact with the lower surface 42a of the mold base member 42 facing the heat plate from the edge 42d on the conveying direction side of the upper table 45, thereby pulling the mold base member 42 in the drawing direction D2. It is made into the member which makes it possible to move to.
The upper table 45 has mold base member clamping mechanisms 47 and 47 that clamp both side edges 42c and d of the mold base member 42 in contact with the rail member 61 with the clamp members 47a and 47a, and draw the hot plate by the mechanism. The mold base member 42 is held by the lower surface 42a facing the surface. The mold base member clamp mechanisms 47, 47 are connected to a clamp member elevation switch (not shown). When this switch is switched to the lower side, the clamp members 47a, 47a are lowered to move the mold base member 42 to the rail member 61. When the clamps of both side edges 42c, d of the mold base member are released and the switch is switched to the ascending side, both side edges 42c, d of the mold base member placed on the rail member 61 are placed. Is clamped to raise the mold base member 42 to contact and hold the lower surface 45a of the upper table.

As shown in FIG. 12, the downstream mold drawing rail member 61 is made of, for example, metal, and has a wall-like standing wall portion with the longitudinal direction directed to the drawing direction D2 and oriented vertically on the downstream side of the upper table 45. 61a, a horizontally extending portion 61b extending from the lower edge of the standing wall portion toward the upper table, and a plurality of bearings 61c attached to the upper surface of the horizontally extending portion so as to be rotatable. I have. The same applies to the upstream rail member.
As described above, when the rail member 61 is set to the mold support position L5 and the edges 42c and d of the mold base member 42 to which the female mold 41 is attached are placed on the horizontal extending portions 61b and 61b of the rail member, the bearings 61c and 61c are obtained. As a result, the edges 42c and d slide smoothly, and the mold base member 42 smoothly moves horizontally from the drawing position L4 to the mold side molding position L2. When the mold base member 42 is pulled up by the mold base member clamping mechanisms 47, 47, the edge portions 42c, d are separated from the bearings 61c, 61c, and the rail member 61 can be retracted from the mold support position L5.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the rail member retracting mechanism 62 includes L-shaped metal rail side brackets 62a and 62a attached to the surface of the standing wall portion 61a of the rail member opposite to the upper table. L-shaped metal table side brackets 62b and 62b attached to the upper surface of the edge 45d on the conveying direction side of the table 45, and a metal shaft that rotatably connects the rail side bracket and the table side bracket. Members 62c and 62c, metal bolts 62d and 62d, and metal nuts 62e and 62e are provided. Here, with reference to the time when the rail member 61 is at the mold support position L5, the rail-side bracket 62a includes an upward extending portion that extends upward from the mounting portion of the standing wall portion 61a, and a distal end portion of the upward extending portion. And a horizontal extension part extending in the direction of the upper table, and a through hole 62a1 for inserting a bolt is formed in the upper part of the upper extension part. The horizontal extension part has a through hole 62a1. The shaft member 62c penetrates on the upper table side. The table side bracket 62b has a shape having a horizontal extending portion extending outward in the horizontal direction from a mounting portion of the upper table, and an upward extending portion extending upward from the mounting portion, and the horizontal extending portion The shaft member 62c penetrates at a portion where the upper extension part intersects, a through hole 62b1 for bolt insertion is formed at the tip of the horizontal extension part, and a bolt insertion part is formed above the upper extension part. A through hole 62b2 is formed.

As described above, when the rail member 61 is fixed to the mold support position L5, the nuts 62e and 62e are removed as necessary, the bolts 62d and 62d are removed, and the through holes 62a1 and 62a1 of the rail side bracket are inserted into the through holes of the table side bracket. Bolts 62d and 62d are passed through 62b1 and 62b1 and screwed into nuts 62e and 62e. On the other hand, when the rail member 61 is fixed at the retracted position L6, the nuts 62e and 62e are removed, the bolts 62d and 62d are removed, and the through holes 62a1 and 62a1 of the rail side bracket are aligned with the through holes 62b2 and 62b2 of the table side bracket. The bolts 62d and 62d are passed through and screwed into the nuts 62e and 62e. In this way, the rail member 61 can be positioned at the mold support position L5 and the retracted position L6.
Of course, the rail member retracting mechanism may be configured to automatically move the rail member between the mold support position and the retracted position instead of manually. In addition, a position detection sensor (infrared sensor or the like) for detecting whether or not the rail member 61 is at the mold support position L5 is provided, and the position detection sensor is railed when the clamp member up / down switch is switched to the lower side. When the member is not detected, the clamp members 47a and 47a may be lowered only when the position detection sensor detects the rail member without lowering the clamp members 47a and 47a.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 17, the support member 63 with casters is made of, for example, metal, and supports the drawer side edge portion 42f of the mold base member 42 from below so that the mold base member 42 can be pulled out. The support member 63 is attached to a base portion 63a that supports the drawer-side edge portion 42f of the mold base member from below, legs 63b and 63b that extend downward from both ends in the transport direction D1 of the base portion, and lower ends of the legs. Casters 63c and 63c that roll on the floor. The support member 63 is detached from the drawing side edge portion 42f of the mold base member when the mold 40 is accommodated in the mold side molding position L2, and when the mold 40 is pulled out from the mold side molding position L2, It is adapted to be hooked to the drawer side edge 42f.
As described above, the mold base member 42 that horizontally moves along the rail members 61 and 61 has a stable posture while the drawer base edge 42f of the mold base member is supported and kept horizontal. Therefore, the mold can be pulled out smoothly in the horizontal direction.
In addition, you may comprise the automatic type | mold drawing | extracting mechanism which moves the type | mold 40 not automatically but between the type | mold side molding position L2 and the extraction | drawer position L4. Further, a position detection sensor (infrared sensor or the like) for detecting whether or not the mold 40 is at the predetermined placement position L15 is provided, and the position detection sensor does not detect that the mold 40 is at the placement position L15. In this case, a mold drawing permission / rejection mechanism may be provided that prohibits the drawing of the mold and permits the drawing of the mold only when the position detection sensor detects that the mold 40 is in the placement position L15.

  With the above configuration, when the plurality of female dies 41 are attached to the lower surface of the mold base member 42, the rail member 61 is set to the mold support position L5, and the mold 40 is moved horizontally from the drawing position L4 to the mold side molding position L2, the clamp The mold 40 can be held on the lower surface of the upper table 45 by clamping both side edges 42c, d of the mold base member 42 by the mechanisms 47, 47 and pulling them up. As a result, the mold is fixed to the upper table, and no misalignment occurs, so that the sheet can be accurately formed.

In addition, on the base 21 that is in contact with the floor, a plurality of support columns 55 are erected upward at positions that do not contact the conveyed sheet S1 and the drawn mold 40. The plurality of columns 55 are erected toward the mold table drive mechanism 50 while positioning the hot plate 30 to support the mold table drive mechanism from below. The plurality of columns 55 guide the reciprocating movement of the upper table 45 in the proximity and separation. On the other hand, the mold table drive mechanism 50 is attached to the upper part 45b opposite to the lower surface 45a facing the hot plate in the upper table 45, and holds the upper table 45 holding the mold 40 at the molding position L1 with respect to the hot plate 30. Close and separate.
As described above, since the upper table holding the mold is reciprocated while being positioned by being guided by the support, the sheet can be formed smoothly with high accuracy. Moreover, since the plurality of support columns are provided at positions where they do not come into contact with the mold 40 to be pulled out, the mold replacement can be performed smoothly.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the plurality of support columns 55 are arranged in a first columnar shape arranged at a position sandwiching the conveyed sheet S <b> 1 on the upstream side of the conveyed sheet S <b> 1 from the drawn mold 40. The column 55a and the second columnar column 55b, and the third columnar column 55c and the second columnar column 55c arranged at a position sandwiching the sheet S1 to be conveyed downstream of the drawn sheet 40 and the sheet S1 to be conveyed. It is comprised from the four cylindrical support | pillar 55d. Here, the plurality of support columns 55 only need to be configured from at least cylindrical support columns 55a to 55d. Even if the support columns 55a to 55d are configured, the plurality of support columns 55 are not in contact with the conveyed sheet S1 and the drawn mold 40. You may comprise including the other support | pillar standingly arranged in the position.
The first columnar column 55a and the fourth columnar column 55d are arranged at diagonal positions, and the second columnar column 55b and the third columnar column 55c are arranged at diagonal positions. Has been.

  The mold table drive mechanism 50 includes a fixing member 51 supported from below by the tip portions of a plurality of support columns 55, and a link mechanism 52 that brings the fixing member and the upper table 45 close to and away from each other. The fixing member 51 is made of, for example, metal, is formed in an H shape, and is fixed to the tip end portions of the columnar columns 55a to 55d standing at the four end portions 51a to 51d of the H shape. Here, a screw 55e is formed at the tip of each columnar column 55a-d, and the fixing member 51 can be fixed to the tip of each columnar column 55a-d using a nut 56. The link mechanism 52 includes a link member 52 a, a ball screw mechanism 52 b, and an electric motor 52 c, and is provided between the H-shaped central portion 51 e of the fixing member 51 and the upper table 45, and the fixing member 51 and the upper table 45. And move them close and apart. The motor 52c is attached to the H-shaped central portion 51e of the fixing member 51, and is connected to the ball screw mechanism 52b to drive the ball screw mechanism. The ball screw mechanism 52b is connected to the link member 52a and interlocks the link member. The link member 52a is attached to the upper part 45b of the upper table, and reciprocates the upper table in the vertical direction in accordance with the movement of the ball screw mechanism 52b.

As shown in FIG. 6, the upper table 45 has a diameter larger than that of the first columnar column 55a, and a first through hole 46a that passes through the columnar column vertically, and a second columnar shape. The diameter is larger than the diameter of the support pillar 55b and the diameter of the second through hole 46b passing through the cylindrical support pillar in the vertical direction is larger than the diameter of the third cylindrical support pillar 55c. A third through hole 46c that penetrates in the direction and a fourth through hole 46d that has a diameter larger than the diameter of the fourth columnar column 55d and penetrates the columnar column vertically are formed.
Here, the diameters of the first and fourth through holes 46a, d at the diagonal positions are larger than the diameters of the second and third through holes 46b, c at the diagonal positions. That is, the play of the first and fourth through holes 46a and 46d is made larger than the play of the second and third through holes 46b and 46c.
As described above, the upper table is positioned by the second and third through holes 46b, c with less play. When molding using a hot plate, the device members may expand due to the generated heat, etc., but there is no excessive force applied to the columns and upper table due to the above configuration. It becomes possible to form the sheet more smoothly.
The column 55b is the first columnar column, the column 55a is the second columnar column, the column 55d is the third columnar column, the column 55c is the first columnar column, and the hole 46b is the first through hole. The hole 46a may be a second through hole, the hole 46d may be a third through hole, and the hole 46c may be a third through hole.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and the like, the hot plate 30 is disposed such that the upper surface 30a facing the mold 40 is in contact with the lower surface S1b of the sheet S1 at the forming position L1, and the sheet S1 carried into the forming position L1. Is heated and softened. The hot plate 30 is placed on a pedestal 31 placed on a lower table (hot plate table) 35. Here, the pedestal 31 is provided with a heater (heating mechanism) (not shown). When the heater is energized, heat is generated from the heater. As a result of the pedestal 31 being heated, the hot plate 30 is heated. The pedestal 31 is also provided with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot plate 30 and heats the hot plate 30 to a set temperature by a heating temperature feedback control mechanism (not shown). The heating temperature of the hot plate is set according to the material, thickness, etc. of the sheet, and can be, for example, not less than the temperature at which the sheet is softened and below the temperature at which it is melted.

As shown in FIG. 10 and the like, the hot plate 30 is made of, for example, metal and is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The hot plate 30 is formed with a large number of ventilation holes (first ventilation holes) 30b penetrating in the vertical direction. Each vent hole 30b is connected to the vent path 25a, and is operated by a vacuum pressure from the vacuum / pressure air supply mechanism 25 (air is sucked), released from the supply of vacuum pressure (decompression), or supplied with compressed air. Or the supply of compressed air is cancelled.
In order to smoothly perform differential pressure molding, a plurality of vent holes 41 b are also formed on the molding surface 41 a of the female die 41.
The pedestal 31 is made of, for example, metal and has a rectangular plate shape. As shown in FIG. 10, the pedestal 31 is provided so as to be drawn in a predetermined hot plate drawing direction D3 different from the sheet conveying direction D1 with respect to the lower table 35, and is reciprocally bidirectional in the hot plate drawing direction D3. It is possible to slide to. Therefore, the hot plate 30 placed on the pedestal 31 can be pulled out so as to be able to reciprocate from the hot plate side forming position L3 to the hot plate drawing direction D3 different from the sheet conveying direction D1.
The drawing direction D3 of the hot plate is a horizontal direction that is not parallel to the transfer direction D1 and a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction D1, so that the amount of hot plate drawn is minimized to reduce the area required for installation of the thermoforming apparatus. However, it may be a horizontal direction that is substantially orthogonal, or a direction that is closer to being parallel to the transport direction D1.
In addition, you may comprise the automatic hot plate drawing mechanism which moves a hot plate automatically between the hot plate side shaping position L3 and the hot plate drawing position L7 instead of manually.

The lower table 35 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the first columnar column 55a and is larger than the diameters of the first through hole 36a and the second columnar column 55b that penetrate the columnar column in the vertical direction. The diameter of the second through hole 36b passing through the columnar column in the vertical direction and the diameter of the third columnar column 55c larger than the diameter of the third columnar column 55c and passing through the columnar column in the vertical direction A through hole 36c and a fourth through hole 36d that has a diameter larger than the diameter of the fourth columnar column 55d and penetrates the columnar column vertically are formed.
Here, the diameters of the first and fourth through holes 36a, d at the diagonal positions are larger than the diameters of the second and third through holes 36b, c at the diagonal positions. That is, the play of the first and fourth through holes 36a and 36d is made larger than the play of the second and third through holes 36b and 36c.
As described above, the lower table is positioned by the second and third through holes 36b, c with less play. When molding using a hot plate, the generated heat may expand the dimensions of the device members, etc., but there is no excessive force applied to the columns and lower table with the above configuration. It becomes possible to form the sheet more smoothly.
The column 55b is the first columnar column, the column 55a is the second columnar column, the column 55d is the third columnar column, the column 55c is the first columnar column, and the hole 36b is the first through hole. The hole 36a may be a second through hole, the hole 36d may be a third through hole, and the hole 36c may be a third through hole.

  When the sheet S1 is conveyed to the forming position L1 and the hot plate 30 and the mold 40 are brought close to a predetermined proximity position (L14), the forming mechanism 20 applies a vacuum pressure to the vent hole 30b of the hot plate to move the sheet S1. Close contact with the hot plate 30. Then, when the hot plate 30 and the mold 40 come close to the close position (L14), the vacuum pressure applied to the vent hole 30b of the hot plate is released to bring the sheet S1 into close contact with the mold forming surface 41a. Press molding. This heating mechanism supplies pressure air from the vacuum / pressure air supply mechanism 25 to the vent hole 30b when the hot plate and the mold are close to release the vacuum pressure, and allows the air above the sheet S1 to escape from the mold vent hole 41b. Compressed air forming is performed to bring the sheet into close contact with the forming surface 41a.

  As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 15, in the initial state, the sheet clamp of the clamp member 14a of the clamp transport mechanism is turned off so that the clamp of the sheet S2 is released, and the clamp transport mechanism 14 is moved to a predetermined upstream clamp. The position L11 is set, the mold 40 is set to a predetermined separation position L13, and the supply of the vacuum pressure or the pressure air from the vacuum pressure air supply mechanism 25 to the vent hole 30b is released. In this state, first, the sheet clamp of the clamp member 14a is turned on, and both side edges of the sheet S2 are clamped by the clamp transport mechanism 14 (timing t1). Next, the clamp conveyance mechanism 14 is moved from the clamp position L11 to a predetermined release position L12 on the downstream side (timing t2 to t3). Then, the sheet S2 after molding is conveyed in a predetermined amount conveyance direction D1, the sheet S1 before molding is also pulled by the sheet S2 after molding and conveyed in the predetermined amount conveyance direction D1, and an unmolded sheet S1 is molded. It is carried into position L1. Further, the sheet clamp of the clamp member 14a is turned off, and the clamp of the sheet S2 is released (timing t4). Note that the clamp transport mechanism 14 is moved from the release position L12 to the upstream clamp position L11 at a predetermined timing before returning to the timing t2.

Thereafter, a vacuum pressure is applied from the vacuum / pressure air supply mechanism 25 to the vent hole 30b, and the sheet S1 at the forming position L1 is brought into close contact with the hot plate 30 (timing t5). Then, the sheet S1 at the forming position is heated by the hot plate 30 and softened. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper table 45 is lowered by the mold table drive mechanism 50, the mold 40 is brought to a predetermined proximity position L14, and the hot plate 30 and the mold 40 are brought closer (timing t6). ~ T7). Then, compressed air is supplied from the vacuum / pneumatic supply mechanism 25 to the vent hole 30b, and the heat-softened sheet S1 is brought into close contact with the molding surface 41a of the mold while discharging air from the vent hole 41b of the mold (timing t8). Here, since the temperature of the female die 41 is lower than that of the hot plate 30, the sheet in close contact with the molding surface 41a is cooled and solidified. As a result, the sheet is formed by pressure forming, and a molded product before cutting is formed.
A pressure reducing mechanism that applies a vacuum pressure (sucks air) to the vent hole 41b of the mold may be connected to the vent hole 41b, and the vacuum pressure may be applied to the vent hole 41b at timings t8 to t9. Then, vacuum / pressure forming can be performed on the sheet. At this time, if the compressed air is not supplied from the vacuum / compressed air supply mechanism 25 to the vent hole 30b, vacuum forming can be performed on the sheet.

When the supply of compressed air from the vacuum / pneumatic supply mechanism 25 to the vent hole 30b is released at timing t9, the upper table 45 is raised by the mold table drive mechanism 50, the mold 40 is moved to the predetermined separation position L13, and the hot plate 30 and the mold 40 are separated (timing t10 to t11).
Thus, one cycle is completed, and thereafter, differential pressure molding using a hot plate can be continuously performed from the sheet by repeating the timings t1 to t11.

(2) Action of thermoforming device:
In order to manufacture various molded products, this thermoforming apparatus can manufacture molded products while exchanging female dies. Hereinafter, a method for exchanging molds of the thermoforming apparatus will be described.
When the manufacture of a certain molded product is finished, the mold 40 is in the separated position L13 as shown in FIG. 3, and the clamp members 47a and 47a of the mold base member clamping mechanism hold the mold base member 42 in the raised position, and the downstream side The mold drawing rail member 61 is fixed to the retracted position L6.

First, in order to prevent the mold from falling off, an operator who performs a mold exchanging operation performs an operation of replacing the downstream mold pull-out rail member 61 at the retracted position with the mold support position L5. Next, the operator switches the clamp member elevation switch to the lower side. Then, the clamp members 47a and 47a are lowered and the die base member 42 is placed on the rail member 61 (predetermined placement position L15 shown in FIG. 16), and the clamps on both side edges 42c and d of the die base member are clamped. Canceled. Then, the operator pulls the mold 40 from the mold side molding position L2 to the predetermined pulling position L4 in the pulling direction D2. At this time, the mold base member 42 smoothly moves horizontally along the rail members 61 and 61 by the rail member bearings 61c and 61c, and the drawer side edge portion 42f of the mold base member is hooked and supported by the support member 63 with casters. The posture is maintained. This state is shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
Here, since the drawing direction D2 of the mold is different from the conveyance direction D1 of the sheet, the mold 40 is shifted from the conveyance position of the sheet. Accordingly, the operator removes the female die from the die base member at the drawing position L4 shifted from the sheet conveying position, and the mold base for the molded product to be manufactured next is drawn at the drawing position L4 shifted from the sheet conveying position. It can be attached to the member 42. In particular, since the drawing direction of the mold is a horizontal direction that is 90 ° different from the sheet conveyance direction, the mold can be surely removed from the sheet conveyance position of the thermoforming apparatus and is necessary for the work of exchanging the mold. Can save a lot of work space.
Since the mold base member is also pulled out to the pulling position L4, the mold base member can also be replaced or the mold base member can be cleaned. Of course, in a mold in which the mold base member and the female mold are integrated, the mold may be replaced at the extraction position L4.

After exchanging the mold, the operator moves the mold 40 from the drawing position L4 to the mold-side molding position L2 along the drawing direction D2. At this time, the mold base member 42 is smoothly moved horizontally along the rail members 61 and 61 by the rail member bearings 61c and 61c, and the drawer-side edge portion 42f of the mold base member is supported by the support member 63 with casters. When the mold 40 is accommodated in the mold side molding position L2, the drawer side edge portion 42f of the mold base member is released from the hooking of the support member 63 with casters. At this time, the mold 40 is placed at the placement position L15 shown in FIG.
Next, the operator switches the clamp member elevation switching switch to the ascending side. Then, the clamp members 47a and 47a clamp the both side edges 42c and d of the mold base member to raise the mold base member 42 to contact and hold the lower surface 45a of the upper table. At this time, the mold 40 is in the separation position L13.
Then, the operator performs an operation of replacing the downstream-side mold drawer rail member 61 at the mold holding position with the retracted position L6. At this time, it will be in the state shown in FIG. 3, and the preparation which manufactures the molded product according to the molding surface of the female die after replacement | exchange will be complete | finished.

  As described above, when performing a mold exchanging operation, the exchanging operation can be easily performed by pulling the mold in a drawing direction different from the sheet conveying direction. Therefore, in a thermoforming apparatus that uses a mold while heating a sheet with a hot plate, the mold can be easily exchanged and the work time for mold exchange can be shortened. Further, in a thermoforming apparatus that uses a mold while heating a sheet with a hot plate, it is possible to provide a mold exchanging method that facilitates mold exchanging and shortens mold exchanging time.

  In this thermoforming apparatus, the pedestal 31 on which the hot plate 30 is placed can be pulled out in a predetermined hot plate drawing direction D3 from a predetermined hot plate side molding position L3 to a predetermined hot plate drawing position L7. The hot plate drawing direction is a horizontal direction that is 90 ° different from the sheet conveying direction D1. Therefore, the operator can also pull out the hot plate to replace it or clean it.

(3) Modification:
The vertical relationship between the hot plate and the mold may be reversed, that is, the hot plate may be disposed on the upper surface side of the sheet and the mold may be disposed on the lower surface side of the sheet. When the sheet is conveyed in the vertical direction, the hot plate and the mold may be arranged at the same height.
The hot plate disposed on the one surface side of the sheet may contact the one surface of the sheet or may contact the one surface of the sheet without contacting. In addition, when heating a sheet | seat, you may heat a sheet | seat by combined use of radiation heating or contact heating and radiation heating besides contact heating. The mold disposed on the other surface side of the sheet may contact the other surface of the sheet or may not contact the other surface of the sheet.
When the hot plate and the die are brought close to and away from each other, in addition to moving only the die, only the hot plate or both the hot plate and the die may be moved. Further, when the hot plate and the mold are brought close to and away from each other, not only the position of the sheet is not changed, but the sheet may be moved in the direction of the mold, or the sheet may be moved in the direction of the hot plate.
In addition to the link mechanism, the mechanism for moving the mold table close to and away from the hot plate may be various crank mechanisms, a mechanism using a cylinder such as an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder, and the like. The direction in which the mold table is driven may be determined according to the positional relationship between the mold table and the hot plate, and may be the horizontal direction in addition to the vertical movement.
Even with only the basic parts 10, 20, 60 of the thermoforming apparatus, the effect of facilitating the mold exchange and shortening the mold exchanging time can be obtained.
In addition, the modification mentioned above is applicable also to the following modifications.

As shown in FIG. 18, the plurality of support columns may be only two diagonally. In the example shown in the drawing, the first column 55a disposed on the upstream side of the sheet S1 to be conveyed with respect to the drawn mold 40, and the first column 55a on the downstream side of the sheet S1 to be conveyed with respect to the drawn mold 40. The plurality of columns are constituted only by the second column 55d arranged at a position sandwiching the conveyed sheet S1 with the column 55a. Of course, the columns 55a and 55d are erected upward from the base 21 at a position not in contact with the conveyed sheet S1 and the drawn mold 40. The support columns 55a, d position the hot plate 30 by positioning the lower table 35, are erected toward the fixing member 151 to support the fixing member from below, and the through holes 46a, d of the upper table 45 are provided. The upper table 45 is guided in a reciprocating motion close to and away from the upper table 45. The fixing member 151 is installed so as to form a diagonal at the forming position L1, and the horizontal longitudinal direction is deviated by about 45 ° with respect to the sheet conveying direction D1 and the mold drawing direction D2. It is arranged in a direction shifted by approximately 45 °. And the fixing member 151 is being fixed with the nut 56 by the both ends 151a and d of the fixing member 151 at the front-end | tip part of the said standing support | pillar 55a and d.
With the above configuration, since the number of support columns is small, the cost of the thermoforming apparatus can be reduced.

In addition, this invention is not restricted to the Example and modification which were mentioned above, Each structure disclosed in the Example and modification which were mentioned above mutually replaced, the structure which changed the combination, well-known technique, and the above-mentioned Configurations in which the respective configurations disclosed in the embodiments and the modified examples are mutually replaced or combinations are changed are also included.
As described above, according to the present invention, a useful thermoforming apparatus and its mold changing method can be provided according to various aspects.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of a thermoforming apparatus. The front view which shows a shaping | molding mechanism seeing from the front. The right view which shows a shaping | molding mechanism when a type | mold exists in a predetermined separation position. The right view which shows a shaping | molding mechanism when a type | mold exists in a predetermined | prescribed proximity position. The top view which shows the principal part of a shaping | molding mechanism seeing from an upper surface. The top view which shows the principal part of a shaping | molding mechanism seeing from the upper surface from under a fixing member. The bottom view which shows a bottom view from the bottom of a type | mold. The exploded perspective view which shows a mode that a type | mold is assembled from the bottom face side. The bottom view which shows a mode that the type | mold was pulled out from the thermoforming apparatus seeing from a bottom face. The top view which shows the principal part of a shaping | molding mechanism seeing from the upper surface from the bottom of a type | mold. The bottom view which shows a mode that the hot plate was pulled out from the thermoforming apparatus seeing from a bottom face. The side view which shows a type | mold drawer rail member with a rail side bracket. The perspective view which shows the mode of the rail member retraction mechanism which fixes a rail member to a predetermined type | mold support position. The perspective view which shows the mode of the rail member retracting mechanism which fixes a rail member to a predetermined retracted position. The timing chart which shows operation | movement of this thermoforming apparatus. The right view which shows a mode that the type | mold was mounted on the rail member seeing from the right side. The right view which shows a mode that the type | mold was pulled out from the thermoforming apparatus seeing from the right side. The top view which shows the principal part of a shaping | molding mechanism seeing from an upper surface in a modification.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... sheet transport mechanism, 12 ... sheet supply mechanism,
14 ... Clamp conveying mechanism, 14a ... Clamp member,
20 ... Molding mechanism, 21 ... Base,
25 ... Vacuum / pressure air supply mechanism, 25a ... Ventilation path,
30 ... heating plate (hot plate), 30a ... surface facing the mold, 30b ... first vent,
31 ... pedestal,
35 ... Lower table (hot plate table), 36a to d ... Through hole,
40 ... mold,
41 ... Female mold for replacement (exchange mold), 41a ... molding surface, 41b ... second vent hole,
42 ... mold base member, 42a ... lower surface (surface facing the hot plate), 42b ... vent hole,
42c, d ... edge on the conveyance direction side, 42e ... mold holding part, 42f ... drawer side edge,
45 ... Upper table (table for mold),
45a ... lower surface (surface facing the hot plate),
45b ... upper part (part opposite to the surface facing the hot plate), 45c, d ... edges on the conveyance direction side,
46a ... first through hole, 46b ... second through hole,
46c ... third through hole, 46d ... fourth through hole,
47 ... Mold base member clamping mechanism, 47a ... Clamp member,
50 ... Table driving mechanism for mold,
51, 151 ... fixing member,
51a to d: four end portions of the H shape, 51e: a center portion of the H shape,
52 ... Link mechanism,
52a ... Link member, 52b ... Ball screw mechanism, 52c ... Electric motor,
55 ... Column, 55a ... First columnar column, 55b ... Second columnar column,
55c ... third cylindrical column, 55d ... fourth column,
55e ... screw, 56 ... nut,
60 ... Drawer mechanism,
61 ... Drawer rail member,
61a ... Standing wall portion, 61b ... Horizontal extension portion, 61c ... Bearing,
62 ... Rail member retracting mechanism,
62a ... rail side bracket, 62b ... table side bracket, 62c ... shaft member,
62d ... bolt, 62e ... nut, 62a1, 62b1, 62b2 ... through hole,
63 ... supporting member with casters, 63a ... base, 63b ... legs, 63c ... casters,
70 ... Hot plate drawing mechanism,
100 ... thermoforming device,
D1 ... conveying direction, D2 ... drawing direction, D3 ... hot plate drawing direction,
L1 ... molding position, L2 ... mold side molding position, L3 ... hot plate side molding position,
L4 ... drawing position, L5 ... mold supporting position, L6 ... retracting position, L7 ... hot plate drawing position,
L11: Clamp position, L12: Release position,
L13: separation position, L14 ... proximity position, L15 ... placement position,
S1 ... sheet, S1a ... upper surface (other surface), S1b ... lower surface (one surface),
S2: Sheet after molding,

Claims (6)

A sheet transport mechanism for transporting a sheet that can be molded in a predetermined transport direction passing through a predetermined molding position;
A mold having a hot plate disposed on one side of the sheet at the molding position and a molding surface disposed at a mold side molding position on the other side of the sheet at the molding position and facing the hot plate. When the sheet is conveyed by the sheet conveying mechanism, the hot plate and the mold are separated from each other, and when the sheet is conveyed to the forming position, the hot plate and the mold are brought close to each other. A molding mechanism that molds according to the shape of the molding surface while heating the sheet,
A mold drawing mechanism that enables the mold to be pulled out from the mold side molding position in a predetermined pulling direction different from the sheet conveying direction ;
The molding mechanism has a mold table that holds the mold on a surface facing the hot plate;
The mold drawing mechanism is
A mold that is attached to an edge portion on the conveyance direction side of the mold table and makes the mold movable in the drawing direction by coming in contact with the surface of the mold that faces the heat plate from the edge portion. A drawer rail member;
A thermoforming apparatus, comprising: a rail member retraction mechanism that enables the mold drawing rail member to retreat in a direction of the mold table from a position in contact with a surface of the mold that faces the hot plate . The mold includes a plurality of replacement molds each having the molding surface formed thereon, and a mold base member that detachably holds the plurality of replacement molds on a surface facing the heat plate,
The mold pull-out rail member moves from the edge of the mold table on the conveyance direction side to the surface of the mold base member facing the heat plate, thereby moving the mold base member in the pull-out direction. It is a member that makes it possible,
The mold table includes a mold base member clamping mechanism that holds the mold base member on a surface facing the heat plate by clamping and pulling the edge of the mold base member in contact with the mold drawing rail member. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 1 . The molding mechanism is
A mold table drive mechanism that is attached to a part of the mold table opposite to the surface facing the hot plate and moves the mold table holding the mold in the molding position to and away from the hot plate. When,
The mold table is erected toward the mold table drive mechanism while positioning the hot plate at a position that does not contact the sheet to be conveyed and the mold to be pulled out, and supports the mold table drive mechanism. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of support columns that guide the reciprocating motion of the adjacent and spaced apart. The plurality of upright support columns are drawn out from the first and second columnar columns arranged at positions sandwiching the conveyed sheet on the upstream side of the conveyed sheet from the drawn-out mold. It is comprised at least from the 3rd and 4th column-shaped support | pillar arrange | positioned in the position which pinches | interposes this conveyed sheet | seat in the downstream of the said conveyed sheet | seat rather than the said type | mold,
The first columnar column and the fourth columnar column are disposed at diagonal positions, and the second columnar column and the third columnar column are disposed at diagonal positions. ,
The mold table driving mechanism is formed in an H shape and is fixed to tip portions of the first, second, third, and fourth columnar columns that are erected at four end portions of the H shape. A fixing member, and a link mechanism provided between the H-shaped central portion of the fixing member and the mold table to bring the fixing member and the mold table close to and away from each other.
The mold table is made larger than the diameter of the first, second, third, and fourth columnar columns, and passes through the columnar columns, respectively. A through hole is formed,
Play of the first and fourth through holes in the position of the diagonal, claim, characterized in that it is larger than the play of the second and third through holes in the position of the diagonal 3 The thermoforming apparatus described in 1. The plurality of erected columns are a first column disposed on the upstream side of the sheet to be conveyed with respect to the mold to be pulled out, and the downstream side of the sheet to be conveyed with respect to the mold to be pulled out. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the thermoforming apparatus includes only a second support column disposed at a position where the conveyed sheet is sandwiched by the first support column. The sheet transport mechanism includes a sheet supply mechanism that can continuously feed the sheet wound in a roll shape in the transport direction, and an edge portion of the sheet that is molded at the molding position in accordance with the molding timing. A clamp conveyance mechanism that clamps and intermittently pulls and conveys the continuous sheet,
A first vent is formed in the hot plate and a second vent is formed in the molding surface of the mold;
The forming mechanism applies a vacuum pressure to the first air hole to move the sheet to the hot plate when the sheet is conveyed to the forming position and brings the hot plate and the mold close to a predetermined close position. The sheet is brought into close contact with the molding surface of the mold by releasing the vacuum pressure applied to the first vent hole when the hot plate and the mold are close to the proximity position. The thermoforming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein pressure forming is performed.

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