A walk through the plant Once EPS bead is pre-expanded it is transported through a series of tubes which are connected to hoppers on each press. During each molding cycle bead is drawn from the hopper on the press and injected into the closed cast aluminum tool. The cycle commences as heat in the form of steam circulates throughout the cavities  inside the tool exciting the remaining pentane which causes bead fusion. Once bonded together, the molded part needs to cool very quickly to keep the part from melting.   At this point, a vacuum is drawn from the other side of the tool pulling the hot moisture out of the part, allowing the part to cool instantly. Finished goods are then packed into boxes or stretch-wrapped bundles. If parts need to be dried prior to packaging, they are stacked out to dry in the mold room or in our hot room--which allows moisture to evaporate more quickly.