Abstract: A co-injection hot runner nozzle comprises an inner melt flow channel and an annular outer melt flow channel that surrounds the inner melt flow channel. The inner and outer melt flow channels have a first common source. The nozzle further comprises an annular intermediate melt flow channel disposed between the inner and outer melt flow channels. The annular intermediate melt flow channel is at least partly defined by a plurality of spiral grooves, each spiral groove having a respective inlet and defining a helical flow path. Lands between adjacent spiral grooves increase in clearance in a downstream direction. An annular axial flow path is defined over the lands. A plurality of feeder channels having a second common source is configured to supply melt to the plurality of inlets of the spiral grooves. The relationship of feeder channels to spiral grooves may be one-to-one. The inlets may be longitudinal channels.

Abstract: A co-injection hot runner nozzle comprises an inner melt flow channel and an annular outer melt flow channel that surrounds the inner melt flow channel. The inner and outer melt flow channels have a first common source. The nozzle further comprises an annular intermediate melt flow channel disposed between the inner and outer melt flow channels. The annular intermediate melt flow channel is at least partly defined by a plurality of spiral grooves, each spiral groove having a respective inlet and defining a helical flow path. Lands between adjacent spiral grooves increase in clearance in a downstream direction. An annular axial flow path is defined over the lands. A plurality of feeder channels having a second common source is configured to supply melt to the plurality of inlets of the spiral grooves. The relationship of feeder channels to spiral grooves may be one-to-one. The inlets may be longitudinal channels.

Abstract: A co-injection hot runner nozzle comprises an inner melt flow channel and an annular outer melt flow channel that surrounds the inner melt flow channel. The inner and outer melt flow channels have a first common source. The nozzle further comprises an annular intermediate melt flow channel disposed between the inner and outer melt flow channels. The annular intermediate melt flow channel is at least partly defined by a plurality of spiral grooves, each spiral groove having a respective inlet and defining a helical flow path. Lands between adjacent spiral grooves increase in clearance in a downstream direction. An annular axial flow path is defined over the lands. A plurality of feeder channels having a second common source is configured to supply melt to the plurality of inlets of the spiral grooves. The relationship of feeder channels to spiral grooves may be one-to-one. The inlets may be longitudinal channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the closing speed of valve gated nozzles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hot runner have a valve gated nozzle including a valve stem movable between an open position and a closed position is provided. The valve stem is moved at a first speed for a first portion of valve stem closure and a second speed for a second end portion of the valve stem closure.

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100), comprising: a nozzle tip assembly (200) having a tip-body assembly (206), the tip-body assembly (206) being configured for reduced axial tilting, at least in part.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the closing speed of valve gated nozzles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hot runner have a valve gated nozzle including a valve stem movable between an open position and a closed position is provided. The valve stem is moved at a first speed for a first portion of valve stem closure and a second speed for a second end portion of the valve stem closure.

Abstract: Crown-flash-reduction systems, methods, and apparatuses for actively reducing the likelihood of formation of crown flash on injection-molded objects. The active reduction includes moving at least one of a valve member and a mold gate periphery in a manner that actively weakens or separates molding material present in a molded object from molding material present in the closed mold gate prior to or in conjunction with de-molding the molded object.

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100), comprising: a nozzle tip assembly (200) having a tip-body assembly (206), the tip-body assembly (206) being configured for reduced axial tilting, at least in part.

Abstract: A mold-tool assembly (100), comprising: a manifold assembly (102); and a constant-temperature heater assembly (99) being positioned relative to the manifold assembly (102), the constant-temperature heater assembly (99) being configured to convey, in use, a thermal-management fluid (109).

Abstract: A mold-tool system is provided which includes a manifold body including an inlet assembly, a plurality of outlets spaced from the inlet assembly, and an uninterrupted melt channel associated with each outlet and extending between the inlet assembly and its associated outlets. Each melt channel may have a length which is substantially identical to the length of the other melt channels.

Abstract: A hot-runner system for use with an injection molding system, the hot-runner system including a hot-runner component, a material; and carbon nanotubes being combined with the material. The carbon nanotubes are dispersed, at least in part, in the material and the material includes a metal alloy. The carbon nanotubes are dispersed in the metal alloy, so that the metal alloy and the carbon nanotubes are combined to form a CNT-metal composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety connector (100; 200; 300) for a hot runner (600) having a valve stem (104) and an actuation assembly (102), the safety connector (100) including: a shear member (106) releasably interlocking the valve stem (104) with the actuation assembly (102), once the shear member (106) has interlocked the valve stem (104) with the actuation assembly (102), the valve stem (104) becomes movable in response to movement of the actuation assembly (102), and the shear member (106) being configured to shear destructively, and responsive to a predetermined undesired force acting on the shear member (106), the shear member (106) shears and the valve stem (104) becomes released from the actuation assembly (102).

Abstract: A cam and cam follower apparatus translates linear cam bar movement to perpendicular valve stem actuation in an injection molding system. The cam bars reciprocate up and down on linear bearing rails such that an actuation plate, fitted with a plurality of valve stems, is cycled normal to the direction of the cam bar movement via cam followers traveling within cam slots in the cam bars. The cam slots in the cam bars are profiled such that the cam followers affect the speed and force at which the valve stems travel while at the same time reducing frictional effects and their associated power requirement. The cam followers of the valve stem actuation plate travel in cam slots in the cam bars from a valve stem forward position, to a valve stem retracted position and ultimately, the entire actuation plate may be removed from the cam bars for maintenance via open ended slots in the cam bars.

Abstract: A mold-tool system comprising: a manifold assembly, including: a manifold body defining: an inlet assembly; outlets being set apart from the inlet assembly; and uninterrupted melt channels extending between the inlet assembly and the outlets.

Abstract: A mold-tool system is provided which includes a manifold body including an inlet assembly, a plurality of outlets spaced from the inlet assembly, and an uninterrupted melt channel associated with each outlet and extending between the inlet assembly and its associated outlets. Each melt channel may have a length which is substantially identical to the length of the other melt channels.

Abstract: A hot-runner system for use with an injection molding system, the hot-runner system including a hot-runner component, a material; and carbon nanotubes being combined with the material. The carbon nanotubes are dispersed, at least in part, in the material and the material includes a metal alloy. The carbon nanotubes are dispersed in the metal alloy, so that the metal alloy and the carbon nanotubes are combined to form a CNT-metal composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety connector for a hot runner having a valve stem and an actuation plate, the safety connector including: (i) a latch releasably interlocking the valve stem with the actuation plate so that in response to movement of the actuation plate, the valve stem becomes movable; and (ii) a latch mover being cooperative with the latch, and the latch mover being configured to move the latch responsive to a predetermined force acting on the valve stem so that so that the valve stem is released from the actuation plate.

Abstract: An injection nozzle assembly, comprising: a nozzle housing; a nozzle tip having an inlet portion being contactable with the nozzle housing; and a tip retainer being movable relative to the nozzle housing between a first position, a second position and a third position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hot-runner system of an injection molding system, the hot-runner system comprising a hot-runner component, including: a material, and a nano-structured material being combined with the material.

Abstract: A mold-tool system comprising: a manifold assembly, including: a manifold body defining: an inlet assembly; outlets being set apart from the inlet assembly; and uninterrupted melt channels extending between the inlet assembly and the outlets.