Abstract: An actuated part, such as a valve pin plate or actuator piston, is movable in forward and rearward directions. A coupling part is located rearward of the actuated part and held in position by magnetic attraction between the coupling part and the actuated part. A valve pin is coupled to the coupling part. The valve pin extends in the forward direction for opening and closing a mold gate. When a stopping force applied to the valve pin is greater than a force of the magnetic attraction between the coupling part and the actuated part, the actuated part moves away from the coupling part in the forward direction, thereby reducing the stopping force on the valve pin.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus is disclosed having an actuated part that is movable in forward and rearward directions with a coupling part attached thereto having a spring coupling and a magnetic coupling. A valve pin for opening and closing a mold gate is coupled to the coupling part to be movable with the actuated part. When the actuated part is moved and the valve pin experiences a stopping force, either a spring of the spring coupling is positioned for dampening the stopping force encountered by the valve pin or the magnetic coupling, which is magnetically coupled to the actuated part and/or the valve pin, decouples from the actuated part or the valve pin to limit or prevent continued movement of the valve pin with the actuated part.

Abstract: An actuated part, such as a valve pin plate or actuator piston, is movable in forward and rearward directions. A coupling part is located rearward of the actuated part and held in position by magnetic attraction between the coupling part and the actuated part. A valve pin is coupled to the coupling part. The valve pin extends in the forward direction for opening and closing a mold gate. When a stopping force applied to the valve pin is greater than a force of the magnetic attraction between the coupling part and the actuated part, the actuated part moves away from the coupling part in the forward direction, thereby reducing the stopping force on the valve pin.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a plurality of valve-gated nozzles, each nozzle having a respective valve pin that is actuated by an actuator. A nozzle tip component for taking one of the valve-gated nozzles of the injection molding apparatus out-of service, wherein the nozzle tip component has a surface that grips the respective valve pin to lock the valve pin in an out-of-service position thereby preventing flow of molding material into an associated mold cavity and causing disengagement of the valve pin from the actuator.

Abstract: A nozzle tip component for taking a nozzle of an injection molding apparatus out-of service, wherein the nozzle tip component has a tapered interior surface that circumferentially surrounds and grips an associated valve pin to lock the valve pin in a closed position and prevent flow of molding material. The injection molding apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles defining nozzle channels, each nozzle associated with a mold gate, and a plurality of valve pins releasably coupled to an actuated valve pin plate. Each valve pin extends through the one of the nozzles for controlling flow of molding material in the nozzle channel, and the actuated valve pin plate is operable to move the plurality of valve pins between open and closed positions of the mold gates.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus having a nozzle which includes a first nozzle body segment, a second nozzle body segment, and a thermal barrier coupled between the nozzle body segments. The first nozzle body segment, the thermal barrier, and the second nozzle body segment define a melt channel through the nozzle for delivering a melt stream from a manifold channel of a manifold to a mold cavity. The thermal barrier substantially limits the heat flow from one nozzle body segment to the other, to thereby control the heat distribution along the melt channel.

Abstract: An injection molding hot-runner component comprising a tubular body defining a central passage and having an outer surface, an electrically insulated heater wire coupled to the tubular body, an external lead electrically connected to an end of the heater wire to form a connection, the external lead for connecting to an external power supply, and a terminal housing mounted to the outer surface of the tubular body, the connection of the external lead and the end of the heater wire being located within the terminal housing, wherein the connection extends in a plane that is generally parallel to tangential plane to the outer surface of the tubular body at the location of the connection.

Abstract: The invention provides an injection molding nozzle or nozzle segment having a recessed terminal or terminal housing such that the radial profile of the nozzle or nozzle segment is reduced. Components of the nozzle or nozzle segment and injection molding apparatus having the nozzle or nozzle segment are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A nozzle for an injection molding apparatus includes a nozzle body having a first nozzle body segment, a second nozzle body segment and a third nozzle body segment. The second nozzle body segment is removably connected to at least one of the first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment. The first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment are heated either by first and second nozzle heaters, respectively, or by a heater sleeve having a cut-out along the length of the second nozzle body segment. The second nozzle body segment is substantially devoid of a nozzle heater such that the second nozzle body segment is heated passively through contact with the first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream from a source. A nozzle having a nozzle channel receives the melt stream from the manifold channel and delivers the melt stream to a mold cavity through a mold gate. A valve pin bushing is provided between the manifold and the nozzle and includes a bore for receiving a valve pin. A chamber is provided in said valve pin bushing and communicates with the bore. An inlet channel extends between an inlet, which is located in an outer surface of the valve pin bushing, and the chamber. A vent channel extends between the chamber and an outlet, which is located in the outer surface of the valve pin bushing. A forced fluid source communicates with the inlet channel to force fluid through the inlet channel, said chamber and the vent channel.

Abstract: An actuator for a valve pin of an injection molding apparatus includes an adjustment piece coupled to a valve pin via a connector and axially movable relative to a piston to adjust an axial position of the valve pin relative to a mold gate. A removable locking device restricts axial movement of the adjustment piece with respect to the piston. An indicator is provided for determining the position of the valve pin relative to a mold gate based on the position of the adjustment piece with respect to the piston. An anti-rotation device is provided to inhibit rotational movement of the valve pin. During maintenance, the actuator piston and adjustment piece may be extracted with or without the valve pin. The actuator may be reassembled with correct axial position via the piston/adjustment piece relationship and correct rotational position of the valve pin via the anti-rotation device.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material under pressure and delivering the melt stream to a nozzle channel of a nozzle. The manifold includes a manifold plug fit within a bore thereof and having a plug melt channel for fluidly connecting the manifold melt channel and the nozzle melt channel. The manifold plug further includes a valve/pressure disk portion that abuts with a back plate of the injection molding apparatus to maintain the spacing therebetween and to accommodate thermal expansion of the manifold relative to the back plate. In an injection molding application utilizing a valve-gated nozzle, the manifold plug may further include a valve pin receiving/guiding bore that functions as a valve pin bushing for a valve pin. A mold cavity communicates with the nozzle channel of the nozzle to receive melt through a mold gate.

Abstract: An injection molding hot-runner component comprising a tubular body defining a central passage and having an outer surface, an electrically insulated heater wire coupled to the tubular body, an external lead electrically connected to an end of the heater wire to form a connection, the external lead for connecting to an external power supply, and a terminal housing mounted to the outer surface of the tubular body, the connection of the external lead and the end of the heater wire being located within the terminal housing, wherein the connection extends in a plane that is generally parallel to tangential plane to the outer surface of the tubular body at the location of the connection.

Abstract: The invention provides an injection molding nozzle or nozzle segment having a recessed terminal or terminal housing such that the radial profile of the nozzle or nozzle segment is reduced. Components of the nozzle or nozzle segment and injection molding apparatus having the nozzle or nozzle segment are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A valve pin bushing for a valve gated injection molding apparatus having, a back plate, a valve pin bushing, and a manifold, with axially aligned respective valve pin bores. The valve pin bushing includes a back plate contacting surface and an opposite manifold contacting surface for bearing against the back plate and manifold, respectively. The back plate contacting surface has a surface area larger than a surface area of the manifold contacting surface to draw heat from the valve pin bushing to the cooler back plate. An air gap, which may be sealed by an optional sealing portion, is formed where the flange is spaced away from a central portion of the valve pin bushing near the manifold. The valve pin bushing also includes a tubular member for positioning within the manifold valve pin bore, which defines a portion of the manifold melt passageway.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream from a source. A nozzle having a nozzle channel receives the melt stream from the manifold channel and delivers the melt stream to a mold cavity through a mold gate. A valve pin bushing is provided between the manifold and the nozzle and includes a bore for receiving a valve pin. A chamber is provided in said valve pin bushing and communicates with the bore. An inlet channel extends between an inlet, which is located in an outer surface of the valve pin bushing, and the chamber. A vent channel extends between the chamber and an outlet, which is located in the outer surface of the valve pin bushing. A forced fluid source communicates with the inlet channel to force fluid through the inlet channel, said chamber and the vent channel.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material under pressure and delivering the melt stream to a nozzle channel of a nozzle. The manifold includes a manifold plug fit within a bore thereof and having a plug melt channel for fluidly connecting the manifold melt channel and the nozzle melt channel. The manifold plug further includes a valve/pressure disk portion that abuts with a back plate of the injection molding apparatus to maintain the spacing therebetween and to accommodate thermal expansion of the manifold relative to the back plate. In an injection molding application utilizing a valve-gated nozzle, the manifold plug may further include a valve pin receiving/guiding bore that functions as a valve pin bushing for a valve pin. A mold cavity communicates with the nozzle channel of the nozzle to receive melt through a mold gate.

Abstract: An actuator for a valve pin of an injection molding apparatus includes an adjustment piece coupled to a valve pin via a connector and axially movable relative to a piston to adjust an axial position of the valve pin relative to a mold gate. A removable locking device restricts axial movement of the adjustment piece with respect to the piston. An indicator is provided for determining the position of the valve pin relative to a mold gate based on the position of the adjustment piece with respect to the piston. An anti-rotation device is provided to inhibit rotational movement of the valve pin. During maintenance, the actuator piston and adjustment piece may be extracted with or without the valve pin. The actuator may be reassembled with correct axial position via the piston/adjustment piece relationship and correct rotational position of the valve pin via the anti-rotation device.

Abstract: A nozzle for an injection molding apparatus includes a nozzle body having a first nozzle body segment, a second nozzle body segment and a third nozzle body segment. The second nozzle body segment is removably connected to at least one of the first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment. The first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment are heated either by first and second nozzle heaters, respectively, or by a heater sleeve having a cut-out along the length of the second nozzle body segment. The second nozzle body segment is substantially devoid of a nozzle heater such that the second nozzle body segment is heated passively through contact with the first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus having a nozzle which includes a first nozzle body segment, a second nozzle body segment, and a thermal barrier coupled between the nozzle body segments. The first nozzle body segment, the thermal barrier, and the second nozzle body segment define a melt channel through the nozzle for delivering a melt stream from a manifold channel of a manifold to a mold cavity. The thermal barrier substantially limits the heat flow from one nozzle body segment to the other, to thereby control the heat distribution along the melt channel.