SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONSOLIDATING A PLURALITY OF BODIES FORMED OF POWDER

A system for automatically consolidating a plurality of metallic or ceramic (or mixtures thereof) powder preforms is disclosed. The system comprises an assembly container wherein a consolidation container is filled with hot consolidation particles for facilitating the consolidation, and a hot preform to be consolidated thereby. The atmosphere of the assembly container is maintained hot and inert or reducing during assembly of the consolidation charge. Further disclosed are means for automatically delivering the consolidation containers, consolidation particles and preforms to the assembly container. The system includes means for conveying the consolidation containers to a press for consolidation, for separating the containers from the consolidation particles and consolidated preform after pressing, and for recycling the consolidation particles and consolidation containers. The system can be run by suitable logic control on a continuous basis allowing for the automatic consolidation of a plurality of preforms to thereby produce a plurality of consolidated articles of manufacture.