MODULAR MOULDING SYSTEM

Abstract: A modular moulding system comprises narrow, flat surfaced, polished strip planks of aluminium or plastic extrusion with interlocking edges. These planks are fastened by the back of the interlocking edges by securing means to supporting frames, which are fixed to a solid base. The frames are rectangular interlocking extrusions of aluminium or plastic. The modular moulding system is suitable for thermosetting plastic products where the desired shape is a curved surface, for example boat hulls and curved pipes.

Description: MODULAR MOULDING SYSTEM This invention is a "system" for building a mould for re-inforced thermosetting plastic products and concrete products, where in the desired shape is a curved surface that is smoothly changing in more than one direction, e.g. , boat hulls, curved pipes. It has been found in practice that accuracy and fairness in large mouldings is very difficult to achieve. Current methods are to use large amounts of sand-able filler over wooden jigs, consuming hours of highly skilled labour time, fairing and filling. This invention achieves the surface required by using very narrow polished interlocking planks of aluminium or plastic extrusion that slide together, as in drawing Figure 1. These are manipulated to form the curved surface over a framework of the desired shape. Another framework of accurately formed frames is built over, and fastened to, the back of the planks to form an accurate and solid moulding. The object of the invention is to by-pass the "plug" (desired shape) making stage and go straight to a one-off finished product stage using a mould that has great accuracy and utilises very little in highly skilled labour time. A producer can test his product ideas and the market by-passing the need for a production mould until they actually have orders on the books. )ϋt>3 • » i 5

Claims: The claims defining the invention are as follows: CLAIM 1: A modular moulding system comprising of very narrow, flat surfaced, polished strip planks of aluminium or plastic extrusion with edges so shaped they interlock, as in Figure 1.1. These planks are fastened by the back of the interlocks by the securing means, Figure 2.1, to supporting frames of the desired shape which are fixed to a solid base. The frames are made up of rectangular interlocking extrusions of aluminium or plastic as in Figure 2.2.

Inventors: CARR RICHARD ALEXANDER, CARR, RICHARD, ALEXANDER
Applicants: CARR RICHARD ALEXANDER, CARR, RICHARD, ALEXANDER
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B28B7
IPC codes: B28B7, B29C33, E06B9