Abstract:
A clamp assembly for an injection molding machine includes (a) a clamp cylinder housing and (b) a clamp piston affixed to an end portion of a tie bar and slidable within the housing among a clamping position, a mold break position, and a meshing position disposed axially intermediate the clamping and the mold break positions. The clamp assembly further includes (c) a clamp chamber for urging the clamp piston towards the clamping position when pressurized; (d) a return device for urging the clamp piston towards the meshing position when pressure in the clamp chamber is relieved; and (e) a mold break chamber for urging the clamp piston towards the mold break position when pressurized. The mold break chamber is bounded axially by opposed surfaces of the tie bar and the return device.
Abstract:
A cooling plate assembly includes (a) a cooling plate having a plate front surface; (b) an air channel extending within a thickness of the cooling plate; (c) a plate bore extending into the cooling plate from the plate front surface for providing fluid communication between the air channel and a cavity of a cooling tube mountable to the cooling plate; and (d) a valve within the plate bore. The valve is movable between a first position in which a first air flow passage extending within the plate bore is open for conducting air from the cavity to the air channel, and a second position in which the first air flow passage is obstructed to reduce air flow between the cavity and the air channel, and in which a second air flow passage extending within the plate bore is open for conducting air from the air channel to the cavity.
Abstract:
An injection molding machine comprises a machine base, a first platen for supporting a first mold half, and a second platen for supporting a second mold half. At least one of the platens is translatable along a machine axis for moving the mold halves between a mold-open and a mold-closed position. The first and second mold halves define a first set of cavities for forming a first set of articles, and a second set of cavities for forming a second set of articles. The machine further comprises a manipulator comprising a first set of first receivers for receiving the first set of articles. The manipulator is moveable among a retracted position, a first advanced position, and a second advanced position. When in the retracted position, the manipulator is clear of the mold halves. When in the first advanced position, the first set of first receivers is aligned with the first set of cavities for receiving the first set of articles. When in the second advanced position, the first set of first receivers is aligned with the second set of cavities for receiving the second set of articles in an assembled condition with the first set of articles.
Abstract:
A lock assembly for releasably coupling a platen to a tie bar of an injection molding machine includes first and second lock nut segments translatable in a transverse between locked and unlocked positions for respectively engaging and disengaging the tie bar, and a carrier assembly for coupling the lock nut segments to the platen. The carrier assembly provides a slide surface for slidably supporting the lock nut segments during the translation of the lock nut segments between the locked and unlocked positions, and the carrier assembly resiliently supports the slide surface for axial movement of the slide surface with the lock nut segments between an unloaded position in which the lock nut segments are spaced away from the platen by a clearance gap, and a loaded position in which the lock nut segments bear against the platen.
Abstract:
An injection molding machine comprises a machine base, and a stationary platen and a moving platen supported by the base. Each platen supports a respective stationary and moving mold half for forming a mold between the platens. An electrically driven platen actuator is coupled to the moving platen for advancing and retracting the moving platen between mold-closed and mold-open positions. At least one hydraulic clamp actuator is coupled to the platens for clamping together the stationary and moving platens when the moving platen is in the mold-closed position. A hydraulically powered rotary injection drive is coupled to the plasticizing screw for rotating the screw, and a hydraulic injection actuator is coupled to a plasticizing screw for injecting the injection material into the mold.
Abstract:
A cooling plate for an injection molding machine includes a plate body, a plurality of sockets in the plate body for receiving respective spigot portions of a plurality of cooling tubes, and a cooling fluid conduit system in the plate body for cooling the cooling tubes. The cooling plate further includes an air conduit system in the plate body for providing air flow communication with the cooling tubes. Each socket forms a blockable flow passage between the cooling fluid conduit system and the air conduit system.
Abstract:
A retaining pin for handling injection molded preforms includes a body including an internal body flow channel, and a plunger coupled to the body and movable relative to the body between advanced and retracted positions. The plunger includes an internal plunger flow channel. The plunger further includes a plunger abutment surface directed away from the body. The plunger is biased toward the advanced position and movable to the retracted position by engagement of the plunger abutment surface with an inner surface of a closed end of a preform when the preform and retaining pin are moved toward each other. The body flow channel and the plunger flow channel are in fluid communication when the plunger is in the retracted position. Fluid communication between the plunger flow channel and the body flow channel is inhibited when the plunger is in the advanced position.
Abstract:
A retaining pin for handling injection molded preforms includes a body including an internal body flow channel, and a plunger coupled to the body and movable relative to the body between advanced and retracted positions. The plunger includes an internal plunger flow channel. The plunger further includes a plunger abutment surface directed away from the body. The plunger is biased toward the advanced position and movable to the retracted position by engagement of the plunger abutment surface with an inner surface of a closed end of a preform when the preform and retaining pin are moved toward each other. The body flow channel and the plunger flow channel are in fluid communication when the plunger is in the retracted position. Fluid communication between the plunger flow channel and the body flow channel is inhibited when the plunger is in the advanced position.
Abstract:
A hot runner apparatus for a mold assembly of an injection molding machine includes a hot runner plate assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion and a machine axis extending therebetween. At least one insert coupling having an axial bore is secured to the first end portion of the hot runner plate assembly, for separable sealed engagement with a gate insert affixed to a cold half of the mold assembly. The insert coupling includes a coupling interface for contacting a mating interface of the gate insert in sealed contact during an injection cycle of the injection molding machine. The coupling interface includes a primary side surface that is inclined relative to the machine axis.
Abstract:
An injection molding machine includes a machine base supporting a first platen and at least a second platen for supporting respective mold sections, and a part handling apparatus for manipulating parts associated with molded part production. The part handling apparatus includes an upright supporting an end-of-arm tooling and an adjustable mount adjustably coupling the upright to the machine base. The adjustable mount includes at least a first linear rail extending parallel to the machine axis and structurally integrated with, and fixed relative to, the machine base at an elevation below an uppermost extent of the platens. The adjustable mount further includes a carriage fixed to the upright, the carriage adjustably coupled to the first rail.