Abstract: To monitor the pressing forces of an upper and lower piston of a tablet press which cooperate as a piston pair, in the currently-known process an average value formed from successive pressing force measurement results is compared with two adjustable tolerance bounds and that average value is correlated with two adjustable individual value limits which follow the course of this average value or are fixed. Maxima of individual pressing force measurements are compared with these individual value limits. To detect certain operational difficulties involving slight damage to an individual piston while avoiding tolerance ranges which are so narrow that frequent stopping of the press occurs piston pair average value limits, with which the piston pair average value of the pressing force is compared, are associated with the individual piston pairs. These piston pair average values are stored in a controlling computer which can stop the tablet press and indicate a faulty piston.

Abstract: A drive system abnormality detecting apparatus of an injection-molding machine includes a microprocessor (19) for a controller, which causes a display unit (24) to indicate the occurrence of an abnormal situation. The drive of a servomotor (5) for an injection is stopped when the microprocessor concludes that the difference between the driving current of the servomotor and the output of a force detector, indicative of the resin pressure inside a cylinder (2), is not within predetermined permissible limits. The motor driving current and the detector output are individually periodically detected, during the time interval between the start of injection to the end of metering. By doing th is, the microprocessor prevents production of defective moldings, attributable to the occurrence of an abnormal situation in a screw drive system, and damage to components of the screw drive system and dies.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding plastic materials, particularly plastic explosives or propellants, has a casing, at least one pressing member moving therein, e.g. a rotating extruder screw and a shaping retainer plate terminating the casing at the outlet side, which is fixed to the casing and can be raised therefrom if an excessive overpressure occurs. So as to ensure rapid raising and a rapid release of the overpressure when a safety hazard occurs, the retainer plate is fixed to the casing by a mechanical or a gas pressure spring, whose spring tension is adjustable. It is also possible to provide a hydraulic pressure directed in opposition to the spring and by which the retainer plate can be raised in random manner from the casing.

Abstract: An interlocking device for a HIP equipment that prevents possible damage to the HIP equipment arising from use of a furnace or processing gas in error and can control the oxygen concentration and pressure within the HIP equipment. The device includes a sensor for detecting a concentration of oxygen in the processing gas in a processing gas pipe system. If the sensor detects an excessively high oxygen concentration, a supply side interlocking mechanism closes a valve for the pipe system and disconnects a power source for a furnace in a high pressure vessel. A flow switch is connected to a safety pipe system having a safety device, and a thermocouple is provided for each of the safety and processing gas pipe systems and a relief pipe system.

Abstract: A method for removing resin clogging a nozzle in a motor-driven injection molding machine, which is capable of removing resin clogged in the nozzle without an excessive load being continuously applied to a servomotor for driving a screw.When the nozzle is clogged with resin, pulse distribution to a servo-circuit is started to move the screw to a foremost position thereof (S1). If a feed stop state, wherein the pulse distribution is stopped by an increase of the deviation of an actual movement amount from a command movement amount for the servomotor above a predetermined value, is not ended before passage of a time set by a timer started at the time the feed stop state occurs (S3-S6), the forward movement of the screw is stopped by an alarm process (S7).

Abstract: A plastic injection molding/encapsulation apparatus for the peripheral encapsulation of a glass workpiece which is equipped with an optical sensing device including a light source, a light detector, and a light reflector to detect possible glass breakage of the workpiece and thus automatically shutting down the plastic injection process to avoid damage to the mold.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates a conductor contact apparatus, a conductor defect detector, and a relay or equivalent added to the emergency stop circuit of a conductor insulation extruder apparatus in order to detect conductor defects and shut-down the extrusion apparatus before the conductor defect can cause the extruder to become blocked, interrupting normal production operations. The defect detector is especially adapted to detect variations in the cross-sectional area (or apparent cross-sectional area) of a conductor being insulated.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a numerical control system in communication with a host computer, the numerical control system having incorporated therein a computer, wherein the injection molding machine can itself start and stop in operation on the basis of stored data indicating that the injection molding machine is in a state capable of being operated or in a state incapable of being operated. Pre-processing is executed in response to a start-up signal from the host computer (steps S4 through S9). If a malfunction or abnormality happens during the pre-processing, the location and thus the existence of the abnormality is stored in memory of the numerical control system. After completion of the pre-processing, if the stored abnormalities are judged to be restorable on the basis of the storage contents in the memory, an abnormality restoration processing is executed (S17) and, subsequently, automatic operation is carried out (S11).

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing wastage during the start-up phase of extrusion device used to produce extruded profiles such as tread strips for vehicle tires from a plurality of mixtures. Each of a plurality of extruders extrudes one component of the profile and is provided with its own drive motor. The outlets from the extruders communicate with a template member having flow channels formed therein which communicate with the outlet ends of the extruders and which lead into a common extrusion port. Pressure sensors are positioned adjacent to the outlet of each extruder. These pressure sensors and the drive motors for each extruder are operatively connected to a control device which has stored therein predetermined desired pressure levels for each extruder. The drive motors for the several extruders are actuated and the pressure of each is monitored and compared with the predetermined desired pressure for each extruder.

Abstract: In operation of a screw extruder, particularly a pin extruder, processing a rubber or a plastic mixture, troubling disturbances and on occasion heavy damage occur when foreign bodies are introduced into the extruder with the material to be processed causing damage to the extruder structure. In order to avoid this damage one possibility is to shut off the extruder at a sufficiently early time and of course immediately when an appropriate dangerous condition is detected. Therefore the drive torque which is taken by the extruder screw shaft is compared with the mass pressure in the mixture to be processed. As soon as this compared value no longer follows the functional dependence of the normal operating parameters such as the rotation speed of the extruder shaft, viscosity of the mixture, temperature lowering of the tempering medium, the volume increase of the mixture drawn in the extruder inlet or the like, the extruder is automatically shut off since a disturbance by foreign bodies is assumed.

Abstract: An injection molding machine uses a servo motor (M) as a drive source of a mold clamp mechanism (2) and includes a mold protecting function. An NC control unit (4) for driving the servo motor (M) has a torque limit function, and performs torque limit when a mold is discriminated to have reached a preset mold protection start position, based on a detection output from a position detector (P). The NC control unit (4) further has a display unit (10). When a predetermined period of time elapses before the mold reaches a preset mold contact position, beginning from a point in time at which the mold reaches the preset mold protection start position, an alarm display is generated by the display unit (10).

Abstract: In a die-casting or injection molding machine transducers are provided for generating a signal corresponding to the injection pressure as well as a signal in accordance with the velocity of the ram device, i.e. the injection screw or the injection piston of the machine. The output signals of these transducers are supplied to a calculating stage for calculating the actual injection power. The resulting signal at the output of the calculating stage is fed to an evaluation device, preferably comprising an indicating device, but also a control circuit, if desired.

Abstract: A discharge nozzle connected to the outlet of an extruder is built wedge-shaped in vertical longitudinal section and comprises a lower housing part and an upper housing part. The upper housing part is adapted to be swung open by being pivoted around a pivot axis, thus causing the nozzle to open. This opening of the nozzle occurs under the influence of a control and actuating member, as soon as a predetermined value of twisting moment, pressure or temperature is exceeded. The nozzle discharge opening has shutting locking bolts associated with it, adapted to shut off the discharge channels of the discharge opening of the nozzle. The discharge nozzle may be used to advantage for the continuous processing of electrode material.

Abstract: This relates to a blow molding machine of the type for blow molding large articles such as containers of the one gallon to five gallon size from a parison in the form of an extruded plastic material tube. The machine is of the rotary type and has a plurality of stations each carrying a mold unit of which one half is fixed and the other is mounted for radial movement between open and closed positions. The main shaft of the machine is of a large diameter and is tubular so that the necessary manifolding for gas and coolant supplies may be readily incorporated in the main shaft in an entirely different manner from that heretofore utilized. Also, among other features of the machine, is the provision of hollow spokes which serve not only to support outer mold halves for radial movement, but also serve as manifold accumulators for the necssary operating gases.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking a first member in a first position relative to a second member comprises a linkage system connecting the first and second members and drive means for articulating the linkage system for moving the first member relative to the second member. A fluid link is provided for locking the first member in position relative to the second member wherein the fluid link is actuated upon sensing the first member approaching the first position.

Abstract: A plasticating control apparatus for an in-line screw type injection machine, including: a resin pressure sensor for detecting as an electrical signal pressure of a molten material at a distal end of a heating cylinder during plastication; means for directly converting the rotational speed of an electric motor to reciprocal movement of a hydraulic piston for driving a screw; and a control circuit for receiving the electrical signal from the resin pressure sensor and supplying the control signal to the electric motor in accordance with the electrical signal, the control signal supplied from the control circuit to the electric motor being adapted to control the rotational speed of the electric motor and hence a backward speed of the screw such that the pressure of the molten material at the distal end of the heating cylinder is not a negative pressure but substantially zero kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a moulded-on mains plug of the type having a base 3, an insulating cap 1 covering wire connection points 9, and a moulded-on plug body, the presence and position of the cap 1 is detected by probe pins 37,39 of a pressure member 31 coupled to a position detector 47. The arrangement is such that the moulding material can only be injected into the moulding die 27,29 if the cap 1 is substantially in its correct position as shown in FIG. 2. In this way, it is not possible to produce a moulded-on mains plug having no insulating cap or in which the cap is provided but is incorrectly positioned.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a machine comprising a sweetened paste kneading device that supplies an extrusion group constituted by two telescopically coupled, vertical tubular blocks, namely a first fixed tubular block and a second movable tubular block closed at the bottom by an extrusion plate which, with the said tubular blocks, defines a variable volume chamber; and a conveyor that supplies baking tins in succession to the overhead said extrusion group.When the variable volume chamber is full of paste, "piped" or "poured in" biscuits are created with, in the first instance, the volume of the said chamber maintained constant and, in the latter, firstly a decrease and then a volumetric increase. When the paste is "piped", the separation from the said extrusion plate of the ropes of extruded paste is achieved with the use of cutting means, while for "poured in" paste, it occurs through breakage caused by the decompression of the paste in the said chamber.

Abstract: A drive-reversing safety mechanism for the motor-driven safety gate of an injection molding machine, featuring a channel-shaped contact bar which is pivotably attached to the outer vertical corner on the leading edge of the safety gate and biased forwardly, so as to pivot rearwardly, when encountering an obstacle while closing. A minimal initial displacement of the contact bar produces the depression of a transversely oriented plunger of a reversing switch with the aid of a flexible, bell-crank-type actuating lever in the shape of an open triangle. A curved end flange of the contact bar drives the actuating lever with a trigger edge, overriding the initial switching displacement, while holding the switch plunger in a depressed position.

Abstract: In a machine for molding or forming dough pieces, particularly kaisersemmels oder starsemmels, a molding tool carrier is mounted for upward and downward movement in a frame. The molding tool carrier carries at least one molding tool, particularly a pestle for forming the upper surface of the dough piece resting in a hollow of a molding dish. In order to avoid that due to dough adhering to the molding or forming tools dough pieces are placed one upon the other in the molding dish so that by the excessive amount of dough expelled by the molding tool damages in the machine occur, a sensor means is provided for supervising the neighborhood of those zones of the molding dish in which the dough is expelled during normal operation of the machine. If the sensor means senses excessive amount of dough, the drive means for the upward and downward movement of the molding or forming tools is disconnected, preferably the drive motor is shut off from the electric power supply.

Abstract: A transfer molding machine for filling at least one cavity of a mold with a resin by means of a plunger including a resin pressure sensor for sensing the resin pressure in the mold, and a control device for controlling the pressure applied to the plunger to drive same in such a manner that an arbitrarily selected primary pressure higher than a holding pressure is applied to the plunger to drive same until the pressure of the resin charged into the mold which pressure is detected by the resin pressure sensor in the mold reaches a predetermined pressure level and a secondary pressure corresponding to the holding pressure is applied to the plunger to drive same after the predetermined pressure level has been exceeded by the pressure of the resin being charged into the mold sensed by the resin pressure sensor in the mold, and a warning device that issues a warning when the pressure applied to the plunger to drive has exceeded a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing fault conditions in an automatic or semiautomatic machines, such as injection molding machines. The diagnostic system comprises a display panel having a plurality of lights or other visual indicators grouped in sets for the respective subsequences of the machine cycle, and if no fault conditions occur and the machine cycles properly, the sets of lights will be energized in succession so that the operator is continuously apprised of the condition of the machine. If a fault condition should occur, one or more of the lights in the set corresponding to the subsequence that the machine is presently implementing will not be energized, and the pattern of energized lights in that set is coded to the particular fault condition that has occurred. By correlating the code with a fault code listing, the operator can quickly identify the location and nature of the malfunction.

Abstract: A film stretching unit movably positioned adjacent to an existing calender installation is described which includes a plurality of strecthing rollers having internal rotary joints for circulating a heating fluid therethrough. Alternate rollers are movable vertically without needing to change their rotational speed in order to easily thread the film through the stretching rollers.

Abstract: A drive-reversing safety mechanism using a pivotable contact ledge on the leading edge of a mechanically openable and closable safety gate of an injection molding machine, the pivot axis being arranged at a flange corner of the safety gate, where the channel-shaped contact ledge engages the outside of the corner with a fillet of a ledge fold. An adjacent positioning flange of the contact ledge is yieldingly clamped to the safety gate by means of pins and compression springs. An actuator plate attached to the contact ledge cooperates with a switch controlling the safety gate drive.

Abstract: In order to maintain a vacuum at a plurality of molds on an assembly line, each mold has its own vacuum unit operating with compressed air and a plurality of molds are interconnected to supply compressed air in series to each of the molds.

Abstract: Plastic molding apparatus is disclosed for forming a series of molded connector bodies along a molded strip segment. By repeating the molding cycle, an additional strip segment is simultaneously molded and joined to a previously made strip segment, so that repeated cycling of the molding machine provides a molded continuous strip interconnecting a series of molded bodies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming insulated cable from uninsulated cable. Uninsulated cable is fed from a source to a guiding mandrel, and molten cable insulation is extruded between a guider tip and forming die to coat with insulation the cable passing through the mandrel. The coated cable is continuously withdrawn from the forming die. In order to prevent damage to the guider tip, the cross-sectional dimensions of the uninsulated cable are sensed during feeding to the guiding mandrel, and an electrical signal is generated in response to the cable sensing if any cross-sectional dimension of the cable is greater than a predetermined amount. The operation is shut down and/or an alarm is activated in response to the generated electrical signal. Sensing is accomplished utilizing a sensing member mounted for slidable movement against a spring bias, and having a conically shaped aperture formed therein and tapering in the direction of movement of the cable through the aperture.

Abstract: Light emitting diodes (LED) are used in conjunction with phototransistors determine the liquid-solid state of a 0.030-0.040 inch film of trinitrotoluene (TNT). Liquid TNT is collected on the surface of a rotating drum, and is subsequently cooled to a solid film and removed by a "flaking" knife. The emitted beam from the LED is absorbed when the TNT is in the solid state and transmitted to and reflected from the drum surface when the TNT is in the liquid state. The relative intensity of the reflected beam is a measure of the state of the TNT.

Abstract: Plastic molding apparatus is disclosed for forming a series of molded connector bodies along a molded strip segment. By repeating the molding cycle, an additional strip segment is simultaneously molded and joined to a previously made strip segment, so that repeated cycling of the molding machine provides a molded continuous strip interconnecting a series of molded bodies.

Abstract: Granulating apparatus, for plastics melt and other materials comprising an extruder head with a perforated member, a rotating cutter to cut material extruded through the perforated member, a housing surrounding the cutter and forming a granulating chamber with a generally upright axis and liquid supply means to supply cooling liquid to the top edge of the granulating chamber so that the cooling liquid flows in a film over the inner wall of the housing of the granulating chamber to prevent the cut material from sticking to said inner wall and to cool the cut material. The liquid supply means may include a perforated pipe encircling the granulating chamber or a weir at the inner edge of an annular chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing contaminant material or hung-up work pieces on mandrels, such as the core rods of injection blow molding machines, consists of a sensing member adapted to be moved through a programmed path corresponding to the bottom contour edge of the mandrel and to give an output responsive signal when any material or work piece remains on the mandrel and interrupts the programmed movement of the sensing member. Generally, one or more horizontally extending mandrels are checked by a sensing member linked through a connecting member with a cam following a cam track corresponding in shape and located below the bottom contour edge of the mandrel to be checked. In the preferred form of the invention, an injection blow molding machine includes an automatic stripper and checker, in which stripping fingers associated with the connecting member precede the sensing member and thus strip a preformed work piece off the mandrel simultaneously with the checker sensing member movement along the mandrel length.

Abstract: Means for controlling the action of a blow molding machine of the type having a continuously extruding parison. The control means includes a photocell signal circuit responsive to extrusion of each parison at normal speed to initiate the decompression of a product at the blow molding station and opening and transfer of the mold halves back to the parison station. Should material in the extruder become depleted, the slower parison extrusion time will be detected and initiate signals for an alarm and deactivation of the blow molding machine. Means are also provided for disenabling this alarm and deactivation system if it is desired to "dry cycle" the machine for test purposes without running the extruder.

Abstract: The invention relates to the processing of photographic material such as photographic film which has a tendency to curl in roller type photographic processing equipment, without attaching a separate leader portion to the film. After removing the curl from an end portion of the film, it is processed in a roller type photographic processing equipment without curling around the transporting rollers.The invention also provides a method of making this leaderless processing possible. This is performed by deforming a portion of the photographic material so as to prevent the tendency to curl to allow positive self-leading through the roller type processing equipment. Another embodiment of the invention provides a one-piece, partially curled, photographic material wherein curl has been removed from a portion, thus making the film suitable for photographic processing equipment.Another embodiment provides an apparatus for preventing curl in a portion of photographic material.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cooling and granulating strands of thermoplastic material. The apparatus has a chute located below nozzles for producing the strands, a cooling water inlet for supplying cooling water to the chute, a safety gate forming the lower end of the chute and positioned to receive the strands from the chute and pivotable away from the strands, a pair of draw-in feed advance rollers arranged downstream of the pivotal gate and a cutting roller arranged downstream of the draw-in rollers. A sensor is actuable by the pivotal movement of the safety gate to stop the draw-in rollers and the cutting roller in response to tilting of the gate.

Abstract: A tablet compressing machine includes strain gauge sensors 5, 5' for monitoring the forces applied to piston rams 1, 2 by pressure rollers 3,4. The strain gauges are connected in a bridge circuit whose amplified output is fed to a mean value generator 15 and a logic control unit 9. The former generates a mean pressing force curve (A in FIG. 3) while the latter causes preset individual limit values for the pressing force signals (B, C in FIG. 3) to track fluctuations in the mean value curve, and compares the instantaneous pressing force signals with the individual limit values. Whenever these limit values are exceeded or fallen below the machine is disabled and the faulty ram is indicated on a display 14 by means of a sensor 7 which signals the ram being monitored. Means are also provided for disabling the machine whenever the mean value exceeds or falls below adjustable tolerance limits.

Abstract: A vertical underwater type pelletizer-cutter apparatus utilizing a hydraulic suction force for pelletization of thermoplastic polymers comprising a nozzle portion having a plurality of nozzles through which a thermoplastic polymer in a melt state is extruded in strands, an injector portion having a plurality of injectors through which the strands are introduced with water, a cooling portion comprising a plurality of guide tubes through which the strands pass together with said water which cools and solidifies the same and a cutter portion which cuts the cooled and solidified strands into pellets, wherein means are provided for monitoring the pressure at the space in the upper part of the guide tube and for automatically stopping the extrusion of the thermoplastic polymer when the monitoring means detects an abnormal reduction in the pressure.

Abstract: A dual press having hydraulic units which are controlled to regulate the pressure exerted on material being treated. A control system includes sensing means along the path of materials passing to the press and sensing means along the path of materials passing from the press. Thus, sensing means control the hydraulic units and regulate the pressure so as to maintain a predetermined maximum pressure when a continuous supply of material is passing through the press. The pressure is reduced or removed completely when the supply of material is decreased or interrupted.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking a first member in a first position relative to a second member comprises a linkage system connecting the first and second members and drive means for articulating the linkage system for moving the first member relative to the second member. A fluid link is provided for locking the first member in position relative to the second member wherein the fluid link is actuated upon sensing the first member approaching the first position.