[0001] The present invention relates to a mold, particularly but not exclusively useful
and practical in the field of the ceramics industry.
[0002] Various types of mold for the production and processing of various products are currently
in use. In particular, in the ceramics industry, molds are widespread for the manufacture
of blanks, tiles or the like starting from ductile materials, such as for example
clay. The most recent and most widespread molds in use in the ceramics industry are
constituted by two mold parts which are adapted to be pushed against each other by
a press.
[0003] Each mold part commonly comprises a hydraulic plate on which a female mold portion
is fixed by means of hydraulic cylinders. Each female mold portion normally comprises
one or more receptacles. Plugs which act as male mold parts are fixed, generally by
means of magnetic anchorings, inside the receptacles. The most recent and effective
plugs currently in use are isostatic plugs, i.e., particular male mold parts provided
with an oil-pressure controlled circuit in which pressurized oil is introduced which
is capable of compensating for any regions that would be poorly pressed.
[0004] Normally the molds also comprise an electronic heating circuit adapted to ensure
the correct working temperature. The work environment is commonly isolated from the
outside by bellows.
[0005] Some of the molds currently in use are also provided with sensors for monitoring
certain parameters. More precisely, in the molds of the background art it is possible
to find: a general circuit current control system; a temperature sensor for spot temperature
detection in a single point of a female mold portion; a sensor which detects the maximum
pressure and the minimum pressure in the oil-pressure controlled circuit of the isostatic
plugs.
[0006] However, these molds of the known type are not free from drawbacks, which include
the fact that if a failure or malfunction of an electromagnet occurs, the control
system detects a variation of the current of the general power supply circuit and
sends an alarm to block the system without it being possible to detect which electromagnet
is subject to malfunction or the extent of this malfunction. In this case one is therefore
forced to halt production and send the entire mold to maintenance, even if the magnetic
field is in any case sufficient to ensure the anchoring of the plug.
[0007] Another drawback of molds of the known type is constituted by the fact that in operation
the molds do not heat up uniformly, and this entails thermal expansions, which are
characterized by a greater deformation in the direction of the longer side of the
mold, causing significant variations of the tolerances, with the consequent release
of products with imperfections.
[0008] Another drawback of molds of the known type is constituted by the fact that they
do not allow to detect leaks of oil from the individual isostatic plugs.
[0009] A further drawback of molds of the known type consists in that they are subject to
the phenomenon known as "double pressing": the material, after having undergone the
pressing process, is not expelled correctly from its receptacle, for example due to
surface adhesion phenomena, and therefore the subsequent loading of material overloads
that receptacle and, when the upper mold part is about to perform the pressing cycle,
the abnormal presence of material entails structural misalignments of the system which
have a negative effect on the subsequent cycles.
[0010] Another drawback of molds of the known type resides in that any phenomena of misalignment
of the two mold parts, which have occurred for example due to "double pressing" phenomena,
cannot be detected directly and in a timely manner but can only be deduced following
the occurrence of a performance drop of the pressing or following failures.
[0011] Another drawback of molds of the known type is constituted by the fact that they
are subject to malfunctions caused by the infiltration of elements, such as for example
dust or clay, following damage to the insulation bellows of the mold.
[0012] A further drawback of molds of the known type resides in that they are subject to
deformation and failure caused by the accumulation of materials, such as for example
soil and dust, inside them; this accumulation is mostly caused by pressure drops in
the pneumatic cleaning circuit.
[0013] Another drawback of molds of the known type is constituted by the fact that they
are subject to variations of the pressure of the hydraulic cylinders which are potentially
damaging for the durability of the cylinders themselves.
[0014] Another drawback of known molds resides in that any defects of the pressed material,
such as for example shape defects, cracks or chipping, cannot be detected in the post-pressing
step but only in the subsequent steps of the production process.
[0015] A further drawback of molds of the known type resides in that they do not provide
data, such as for example the actual number of strikes performed by the plugs, sufficient
to be able to plan effectively maintenance and part replacement.
[0016] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of the background
art described above by devising a mold that allows the operator to monitor the operating
parameters during the active step, supervising the correct execution of pressing and
minimizing the risks of malfunction or failure.
[0017] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a mold that is
capable of identifying and signaling the malfunction of an individual electromagnet
as well as the extent of this malfunction.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to devise a mold that is capable of detecting
thermal differences within the individual mold parts.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mold that allows to correct
said thermal differences.
[0020] A further object of the present invention is to devise a mold that allows to detect
leaks of oil from the isostatic plugs.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to devise a mold that prevents the "double
pressing" phenomena.
[0022] Another object of the present invention is to devise a mold that allows to identify
in a timely manner phenomena of misalignment between the two mold parts.
[0023] A further object of the present invention is to devise a mold that avoids as much
as possible the infiltration, within the work area between the two mold parts, of
elements such as for example dust or clay.
[0024] Another object of the present invention is to devise a mold that prevents the accumulation
of materials, such as for example soil or dust, within the mold.
[0025] Another object of the present invention is to devise a mold that allows to detect
variations of the pressure of the hydraulic cylinders.
[0026] A further object of the present invention is to devise a mold that allows to identify
any defects of the pressed material, such as for example shape defects, cracks or
chipping, already in the post-pressing step.
[0027] Another object of the present invention is to devise a mold that provides data, such
as for example the actual number of strikes performed by the plugs, that are sufficient
to be able to plan effectively maintenance and part replacement.
[0028] A still further object of the present invention is to devise a system for collecting,
processing, transmitting and displaying the data produced by the mold which is useful
to monitor the correct execution of pressing, to minimize the risks of failure and
to plan maintenance steps strategically and proactively.
[0029] This aim, and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter,
are achieved by a mold comprising:
- at least one mold part comprising hydraulic cylinders which support at least one female
mold portion, which rests at least on one isostatic base and comprises at least one
receptacle;
characterized in that it comprises:
- means for detecting one or more operating parameters of the mold during an active
step;
- one or more data collection controllers adapted to collect the data detected by said
detection means;
- a display device connected to said controller, adapted to process and display the
collected data.
[0030] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent
from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the mold and of
the corresponding monitoring system according to the invention, illustrated by way
of nonlimiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic overall view of the mold;
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a female mold portion and of the heating
system;
Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views of some possible configurations of the electromagnetic
signature means applied to the plugs;
Figure 5 is a schematic view of a possible configuration of the monitoring system.
[0031] With reference to the cited figures, the mold according to the invention, designated
generally by the reference numeral 2, comprises at least one mold part and preferably
a lower mold part 4 and an upper mold part 5.
[0032] The lower mold part 4 comprises a female mold portion 6a, which rests on a base 8a
and is provided with at least one receptacle 7a. In the same way, the upper mold part
5 comprises a female mold portion 6b, which rests on an isostatic base 8b and is provided
with one or more receptacles 7b and 7c.
[0033] Isostatic plugs 10a and non-isostatic plugs 10b, 10c, which are replaceable, are
fixed inside each receptacle 7a, 7b and 7c by means of electromagnets 9a, 9b contained
in the base 8a and in the isostatic base 8b.
[0034] The mold according to the invention comprises an upper hydraulic plate 12 and a lower
hydraulic plate 11.
[0035] The mold according to the invention comprises support means 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, which
are fixed to the upper hydraulic plate 12 and are adapted to support the upper female
mold portion 6b. The mold according to the invention comprises other cylinders 24e,
24f, 24g and 24h to support the lower female mold portion 6a by means of the support
means 34e, 34f, 34g, 34h.
[0036] The mold according to the invention comprises two expulsion blocks 13a and 13b, which
are arranged one in the lower mold part 4, between the base 8a and the hydraulic plate
11, and the other one in the upper mold part 5, between the isostatic base 8b and
the hydraulic plate 12.
[0037] The mold according to the invention comprises an insulation bellows 14 which is adapted
to protect the workspace.
[0038] Advantageously, the mold according to the invention comprises at least one pneumatic
cleaning circuit 37.
[0039] Advantageously, the mold according to the invention comprises at least three temperature
detection means 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, which are arranged in at least three
different points of each female mold portion 6a, 6b. In another possible embodiment,
the temperature sensors 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f are replaced with one or more
thermal cameras.
[0040] Advantageously, the mold according to the invention comprises two or more proximity
detection means 17a and 17b adapted to detect the alignment of the plugs 10a, 10b,
10c.
[0041] Advantageously, the mold according to the invention comprises at least one strike
detection means 18, which is arranged on the lower hydraulic plate 11 and is adapted
to count the number of strikes performed by the mold, such as for example a cycle
counting sensor.
[0042] Advantageously, the mold according to the invention comprises at least one electromagnetic
signature means 19a, 19b, 19c for each isostatic plug 10a and for each non-isostatic
plug 10b, 10c. The mold according to the invention comprises furthermore electromagnetic
receivers 20c, 20d, 20e which are arranged on the lower base 8a and on the upper isostatic
base 8b and are adapted to detect the presence of the isostatic plugs 10a, and of
the non-isostatic plugs 10b, 10c by means of the electromagnetic signal that arrives
from the signature means 19a, 19b, 19c.
[0043] The mold according to the invention comprises two electromagnetic signature means,
respectively for the lower female mold portion 6a and for the upper female mold portion
6b, and comprises furthermore two electromagnetic receivers 20a and 20b which are
arranged respectively in the upper female mold portion 6a and in the lower female
mold portion 6b and are adapted to detect the identifier of the female mold portion
by means of the electromagnetic signal that originates from the electromagnetic signature
means.
[0044] In one possible embodiment, the electromagnetic signature means 19a, 19b, 19c and
the electromagnetic receivers 20c, 20d, 20e are capable of communicating via radiofrequency
by means of RFID or NFC technology.
[0045] Advantageously, the mold according to the invention comprises one or more pressure
detection means 21a, which are adapted to measure the pressure of the oil inside each
isostatic plug 10a, and at least one pressure detection means 21c, which is adapted
to measure the pressure of the oil within the isostatic base 8b.
[0046] Advantageously, the mold according to the invention comprises pressure detection
means 22a and 22b which are arranged in the lower hydraulic plate 11 and optionally
in the upper hydraulic plate 12 and are adapted to measure the pressure in the hydraulic
cylinders 24e, 24f, 24g, 24h.
[0047] Advantageously, the mold according to the invention comprises one or more pressure
detection means 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d which are adapted to measure the pressure within
the space isolated by the insulation bellows 14.
[0048] In another possible embodiment, the pressure detection means 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d are
replaced by a dust detection means which is adapted to detect the presence of dust
within the space isolated by the insulation bellows 14.
[0049] Advantageously, the mold according to the invention comprises one or more magnetic
field detection means 25b which are adapted to measure the magnetic field proximate
to at least one base 8b.
[0050] In another possible embodiment, the magnetic field detection means 25b are replaced
with current detection means adapted to measure the magnetization current of the electromagnets
9a, 9b.
[0051] In one possible embodiment, the mold according to the invention also comprises one
or more multisensor cards which are adapted to group or collect data from multiple
detection means.
[0052] The mold according to the invention comprises an electric heating circuit 26, constituted
by electric propagation means 27 and electric heating means 28 arranged in various
points within the female mold portions 6a, 6b.
[0053] In one possible embodiment, the electric heating circuit 26 is designed so that it
can be adjusted and therefore it can heat different portions of the mold 2 in a different
manner; said adjustable heating circuit 26 and the temperature detection means 16a,
16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f are advantageously connected to an electronic control device
35 which is adapted to adjust the operation of the adjustable heating circuit 26 as
a function of the temperatures measured by the temperature detection means 16a, 16b,
16c, 16d, 16e, 16f.
[0054] In one possible embodiment, the mold according to the invention also comprises a
system 36 for detecting the quantity of material that is present within the receptacles
7a, 7b, 7c which is adapted to block the pressing process if excessive material is
present; this system 36 for detecting the quantity of material can be constituted
for example by a load cell.
[0055] In one possible embodiment, the mold according to the invention also comprises an
optical detection means 39 which is adapted to detect the geometric and surface nonconformities
of the pressed material, such as for example defects in shape, cracks or chipping.
[0056] In one possible embodiment, the mold according to the invention also comprises a
means 38 for detecting air pressure, which is adapted to detect the pressure of the
air in the pneumatic cleaning circuit 37.
[0057] In one possible embodiment, the mold according to the invention also comprises a
system for venting by means of a pressurized filtered air jet (not shown), which is
adapted to clean from dust the environment inside the insulation bellows 14.
[0058] The mold according to the invention comprises at least one data collection controller
15 which is adapted to collect the data that arrive from the temperature detection
means 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, from the air pressure detection means 38, from
the proximity detection means 17a and 17b, from the strike detection means 18, from
the electromagnetic receivers 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, from the pressure detection
means 21a, 21c, 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d, from the magnetic field detection
means 25b and from the optical detection means 39.
[0059] The mold according to the invention also comprises at least one device 29, connected
to said controller 15, which is adapted to process and display the data collected
therein.
[0060] In particular with reference to Figure 5, the monitoring system 40 adapted to process
and transmit the data arriving from the mold according to the invention comprises
a data storage means 30 adapted to store data useful for the operation of a program
and a private data storage means 31 adapted to store securely the personal data of
the users.
[0061] The monitoring system 40 adapted to process and transmit the data that arrives from
the mold according to the invention comprises a server 32 which is adapted to exchange,
by virtue of transmission means, data with the data storage means 30, with the private
data storage means 31, with the data collection controller 15 and with information
technology devices such as computers, tablets and smartphones, and to integrate these
data.
[0062] The monitoring system adapted to process and transmit the data that arrive from the
mold according to the invention comprises a program 33 which is adapted to be run
on information technology devices, such as for example computers, tablets, smartphones,
and is adapted to organize, process and display the data that arrive from the server
32.
[0063] The operation of the mold and of the corresponding monitoring system according to
the invention is briefly described hereinafter.
[0064] During the active step, the detection means detect one or more operating parameters
and transmit the collected data to the data collection controller 15. These data are
then sent to the display device 29, which processes them and displays them in such
a form as to allow an operator to monitor the correct execution of pressing and to
minimize the risks of malfunction or failure.
[0065] In particular, advantageously, the temperature detection means 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d,
16e, 16f measure the temperature in various points of the receptacles 7a, 7b, 7c and
transmit these measurements to the data collection controller 15 and to the electronic
control device 35. Advantageously, the electronic control device 35 adjusts the operation
of the adjustable heating circuit 26 as a function of the temperatures measured by
the temperature detection means 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f in order to compensate
for the thermal differences among the various points of the receptacles 7a, 7b, 7c
and ensure a temperature that is as much as possible uniform within the mold parts
4 and 5.
[0066] In particular, advantageously, the magnetic field detection means 25b measure the
magnetic field proximate to least one base 8b and send the results of these measurements
to the data collection controller 15, which in turn sends them to the display device
29. In this manner, the user of the mold is enabled to identify any drops in the magnetic
field proximate to a given base 8b, as well as the extent of this magnetic field drop,
and is therefore able to decide whether and which base requires maintenance.
[0067] In particular, advantageously, the pressure detection means 21a, 21c measure the
pressure of the oil respectively within each single individual isostatic plug 10a
and within each isostatic base 8b, send the results of these measurements to the data
collection controller 15, which in turn sends them to the display device 29. In this
manner, the user of the mold is enabled to identify any drops in pressure within an
isostatic plug 10a and within each isostatic base 8b and to intervene in a timely
manner.
[0068] In particular, advantageously, the proximity detection means 17a, 17b measure the
alignment of the plugs 10a, 10b, 10c and send the results of these measurements to
the data collection controller 15, which in turn sends them to the display device
29. In this manner, the user of the mold is enabled to identify any misalignments
of the two mold parts 4 and 5 and to intervene in a timely manner.
[0069] In particular, advantageously, the system 36 for detecting the quantity of material
measures the quantity of material that is present in the receptacles 7a, 7b and 7c
and, in the case of the presence of excessive material, blocks the pressing process,
thus avoiding the occurrence of the "double pressing" phenomenon.
[0070] In particular, advantageously, the pressure detection means 22a, 22b measure the
pressure of the oil inside the hydraulic cylinders 24e, 24f, 24g, 24h and send the
results of these measurements to the data collection controller 15, which in turn
sends them to the display device 29. In this manner, the user of the mold is enabled
to identify any pressure variations inside the hydraulic cylinders 24e, 24f, 24g,
24h and to intervene in a timely manner.
[0071] In particular, advantageously, the pressure detection means 23a 23b, 23c, 23d measure
the minimum pressure that is present within the insulation bellows 14 and send the
results of these measurements to the data collection controller 15, which in turn
sends them to the display device 29. In this manner, the user of the mold is enabled
to identify any increases in the minimum pressure that is present inside the insulation
bellows 14, which indicate damage thereof, and to intervene in a timely manner.
[0072] In particular, advantageously, in one embodiment the pressure detection means 23a,
23b, 23c, 23d are replaced by a dust detection means, which detects the presence of
dust within the insulation bellows 14 and sends the results of this detection to the
data collection controller 15, which in turn sends them to the display device 29.
In this manner, the user of the mold is enabled to identify any presence of dust within
the insulation bellows 14, which indicates damage thereof, and to intervene in a timely
manner.
[0073] In particular, advantageously, the air pressure detection means 38 measure the pressure
of the air inside the pneumatic cleaning circuit 37 and send the results of these
measurements to the data collection controller 15, which in turn sends them to the
display device 29. In this manner, the user of the mold is enabled to identify any
pressure drops within the pneumatic cleaning circuit 37 and to intervene in a timely
manner.
[0074] In particular, advantageously, the strike detection means 18 counts the number of
strikes performed by the mold 2 and sends this count to the data collection controller
15, which in turn sends it to the display device 29. In this manner, the user of the
mold is enabled to know in real time the number of strikes performed by the mold 2
and therefore to plan maintenance interventions in a timely manner.
[0075] In particular, advantageously, the electromagnetic signature means 19a, 19b, 19c
arranged on each isostatic plug 10a and on each non-isostatic plug 10b, 10c signal
the presence of the isostatic plugs 10a and of the non-isostatic plugs 10b, 10c to
the electromagnetic receivers located on the bases 8a and 8b, which send this information
related to the presence of the isostatic plugs 10a and of the non-isostatic plugs
10b, 10c to the data collection controller 15.
[0076] In turn, the data collection controller 15 sends to the display device 29 the information
related to the presence of the isostatic plugs 10a and of the non-isostatic plugs
10b, 10c within the mold 2. In this manner, the user of the mold is enabled to know
in real time which isostatic plugs 10a and non-isostatic plugs 10b, 10c are present
inside the mold and the actual number of strikes performed by them.
[0077] In particular, advantageously, the optical detection means 39 records the geometric
and surface characteristics of the pressed material and sends the results of this
recording to the data collection controller 15, which in turn sends them to the display
device 29. In this manner, the user of the mold is enabled to identify any geometric
and surface nonconformities of the pressed material, such as for example defects in
shape, cracks and chipping, and to intervene in a timely manner.
[0078] Advantageously, the system for venting by means of a pressurized filtered air jet
releases into the environment inside the insulation bellows 14 a jet of pressurized
filtered air once every certain number of cycles, cleaning this environment of the
dust that has penetrated.
[0079] All the data gathered by the data collection controller 15 can also be sent to the
monitoring system 40. The server 32 gathers the data that arrive from the data collection
controller 15 and integrates them with the data present in the data storage device
of the application 30 and in the private data storage device 31. The data are then
exchanged, by virtue of transmission means, such as for example an Internet connection,
between the server and one or more mobile information technology devices, such as
for example computers, tablets or smartphones, on which the program 33 has been installed.
[0080] The users of the monitoring system 40 can thus monitor, by means of a mobile information
technology device, the operating parameters of the mold according to the invention
even from a remote location. Advantageously, these parameters can also be used by
the company that supplies the mold, which will be able to provide the user of the
mold according to the invention with indications that are useful for planning maintenance
and part replacements.
[0081] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim
and objects. In particular, it has been shown that the mold thus conceived allows
to overcome the qualitative limitations of the background art, since it allows the
operator to monitor the operating parameters during the operation step, supervising
the correct execution of pressing and minimizing the risks of malfunction or failure.
[0082] An advantage of the mold according to the invention resides in that it is capable
of identifying and signaling the malfunction of an individual electromagnet as well
as the extent of this malfunction. In this manner, the operator is able to decide
whether and which electromagnet requires maintenance.
[0083] Another advantage of the mold according to the invention resides in that it is capable
of detecting the thermal differences that are present inside the mold, of compensating
for these thermal differences and of ensuring a working temperature that is as uniform
as possible. In this manner, the mold according to the invention is capable of preventing
significant variations of the tolerances and the consequent release of products with
imperfections.
[0084] Another advantage of the mold according to the invention resides in that it allows
to detect leaks of oil from a single isostatic plug, allowing the operator to intervene
in a timely manner.
[0085] Another advantage of the mold according to the invention resides in that it is capable
of preventing the "double pressing" phenomenon.
[0086] A further advantage of the mold according to the invention resides in that it allows
to identify in a timely manner phenomena of misalignment between the two mold parts.
[0087] Another advantage of the mold according to the invention resides in that it allows
to identify in a timely manner any damage to the insulation bellows and thus prevent
the infiltration, within the work area, of elements such as for example dust or clay.
Furthermore, the mold according to the invention is capable, by virtue of the system
for venting by means of a pressurized filtered air jet, of contrasting the presence
of these elements.
[0088] Another advantage of the mold according to the invention resides in that it is capable
of preventing the accumulation of materials, such as for example soil and dust, within
the mold, allowing to identify in real time any pressure drops within the pneumatic
cleaning circuit, thus allowing the operator to intervene in a timely manner.
[0089] Another advantage of the mold according to the invention resides in that it allows
to detect in a timely manner variations in the pressure of the hydraulic cylinders.
[0090] A further advantage of the mold according to the invention resides in that it allows
to identify any defects of the pressed material, such as shape defects, cracks or
chipping, already in the post-pressing step.
[0091] A still further advantage of the mold according to the invention resides in that
it provides data, such as for example the actual number of strikes performed by the
plugs, sufficient to be able to plan effectively maintenance and parts replacement.
[0092] Furthermore, the monitoring system adapted to process and transmit the data that
arrive from the mold according to the invention allows one or more users to use these
data and operating parameters even from a remote location. These parameters can be
used, for example, also by the company that supplies the mold, which will be able
to provide the user of the mold according to the invention with indications that are
useful for planning maintenance and parts replacement.
[0093] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations,
all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore all the details
may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
[0094] In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific
use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the
requirements and the state of the art.
[0095] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No.
102017000050342 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
[0096] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs,
those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility
of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect
on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference
signs.
1. A mold comprising:
at least one mold part (4, 5) comprising hydraulic cylinders (24e, 24f, 24g, 24h)
which support at least one female mold portion (6a, 6b), which rests at least on one
isostatic base (8b) and comprises at least one receptacle (7a, 7b, 7c);
characterized in that it comprises:
- means for detecting one or more operating parameters of the mold during an active
step;
- one or more data collection controllers (15) adapted to collect the data detected
by said detection means;
- a display device (29) connected to said controller (15), adapted to process and
display the collected data.
2. The mold according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one adjustable electric heating circuit (26) and an electronic
control device (35) that is adapted to adjust the operation of said adjustable electric
heating circuit (26), said detection means comprising at least three temperature detection
means (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f) which are arranged in at least three different
points of said at least one female mold portion (6a, 6b) and are adapted to measure
the temperature in at least three different points of said at least one mold part
(4, 5);
said electronic control device (35) being adapted to adjust the operation of said
adjustable electric heating circuit (26) as a function of the temperatures measured
by said temperature detection means (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f).
3. The mold according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that it further comprises:
- at least one isostatic plug (10a) and non-isostatic plugs (10b, 10c) adapted to
imprint their surface geometry on the pressed material;
- at least one electromagnet (9a, 9b) adapted to fix said at least one isostatic plug
(10a) and said non-isostatic plugs (10b, 10c);
said detection means comprising at least one from:
- at least one pressure detection means (21a) adapted to measure the pressure of the
oil inside said at least one isostatic plug (10a);
- at least one pressure detection means (21c) adapted to measure the pressure of the
oil inside said isostatic base (8b);
- at least one magnetic field detection device (25b) adapted to detect the magnetic
field generated by said at least one electromagnet (9a, 9b).
4. The mold according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection means comprise at least two proximity detection means (17a, 17b) which
are adapted to monitor the alignment of the plugs.
5. The mold according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection means comprise at least one material quantity detection system (36),
which is adapted to measure the quantity of material that is present within said at
least one receptacle (7a, 7b, 7c).
6. The mold according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one insulation bellows (14) adapted to isolate the
work environment;
said detection means comprising at least one pressure detection means (23a, 23b, 23c,
23d) which is adapted to detect the minimum pressure that is present within said insulation
bellows (14).
7. The mold according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that it further comprises:
- at least one pneumatic cleaning circuit (37);
said detection means comprising:
- at least one air pressure detection means (38) adapted to measure the pressure of
the air in said pneumatic cleaning circuit (37).
8. The mold according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection means comprise at least one pressure detection means (22a, 22b) adapted
to measure the pressure of the oil in said hydraulic cylinders (24e, 24f, 24g, 24h).
9. The mold according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection means comprise at least one strike detection means (18) that is adapted
to count the number of strikes performed by the mold (2).
10. The mold according to claim 3,
characterized in that said detection means comprise:
- at least one electromagnetic signature means (19a, 19b, 19c), which is applied on
said at least one isostatic plug (10a) and on said non-isostatic plugs (10b, 10c);
- at least one electromagnetic receiver (20c, 20d, 20e) adapted to detect the presence
of said at least one isostatic plug (10a) and of said non-isostatic plugs (10b, 10c)
by means of the electromagnetic signal that originates from said at least one signature
means (19a, 19b, 19c).
11. The mold according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection means comprise at least one optical detection means (39) adapted to
detect the geometric and surface nonconformities of the pressed material.
12. A monitoring system (40) adapted to process and transmit data that arrive from a mold
according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one data storage means (30), adapted to store data useful for the operation
of a program;
- at least one means (31) for storing private data, adapted to store securely the
personal data of users;
- a server (32) adapted to exchange, by virtue of transmission means, data with said
data storage means (30), with said private data storage means (31), with said data
collection controller (15), and with information technology devices, and adapted to
integrate said data;
- a program (33) capable of being run on information technology devices, adapted to
organize, process and display the data that arrive from said server (32).