FORM TOOL FOR PRODUCING PARTICLE FOAM MOLDED PARTS

The invention relates to a form tool for producing particle foam moulded parts. Said form tool comprises at least one tool part consisting of a finite number of layers which are parallel to each other, at least in segments, the individual layers having contours such that a pile formed by all of the layers defines at least one part of a form cavity which can be filled with expandable foamed material pearls of a thermoplastic material. The inventive form tool also comprises means for supplying and discharging gaseous and liquid heat transfer media. The aim of the invention is to produce particle foam moulded parts faster and with improved surface quality and to achieve uniform bonding of the foam particles, at the same time reducing the energy amount required to produce the moulded parts. To this end, the layers are arranged, at least in their regions which are adjacent to the form cavity, at a defined distance from each other in such a way that they form channels which are outwardly sealed, but are open inside the tool part for the penetration of the gaseous and liquid heat transfer media.