Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an adjustment device for adjusting a distance between a take-off plate and a treatment device of a molding system and a method for use thereof. More specifically, there is provided a distance adjustment device configured to adjust a distance between a take-off plate coupled to a fixed platen of a molding system and a treatment device coupled to a movable platen of the molding system. The adjustment device comprises a movable platen engagement interface configured for attachment to the movable platen of the molding system; a plenum engagement interface configured for attachment to the treatment device; a distance adjustment mechanism configured to selectively fix a position of the treatment device relative to the movable platen in a desired position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention teach a method for post-mold treatment of a molded article and an apparatus for implementing the method. For example, a method of post-mold treatment of a molded article is provided. The method can be implemented in a molded article receptacle. The method comprises at a first instance in time, subjecting the molded article to a first type of post-mold treatment; and at a second instance in time, subjecting the molded article to a second type of post-mold treatment.

Abstract: An injection mold including a connecting structure for separating confronting faces of a slide member and a mold base, respectively, during a movement of the slide member. In accordance with several embodiments of the invention, the connecting structure may include a compressible member such that the slide member is biased away from the mold base, and wherein a positive contact between the confronting surfaces is configurable in response to an applied clamping force between the slide member and the mold base. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention a cam arrangement links the slide member and the mold base enabling a positive contact between the confronting surfaces when the slide member is arranged in the in-mold position, and providing a gap between the confronting surfaces during at least a portion of an interval when the slide member is moving.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mold insert stack for use in an injection mold and a coupler thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed, according to an aspect of the present invention, is a molding system that includes a mechanical fuse assembly configured to (i) abut a conduit connection, and (ii) permit movement of a conduit connection.

Abstract: A system in which gravitation and inertial effects on platen verticality and sagging are compensated by an anti-tilt actuator (68, 70). A hydraulic actuator (68, 70) secured beneath the platen is either set to offset only gravitationally-related sagging of the mold half (60, 62) by providing a compensating upward force (relative to a stable clamp base 80), or otherwise its upward force can be dynamically adjusted also to compensate for swaying or tilting of the mold-platen assembly caused by stroke cylinder (98) operation and related inertia/momentum effects. Preferably, a level sensor (94) measures and communicates a degree of horizontalness/verticality of the platen (48, 50) to a machine controller (88) which, in turn, generates a control signal (87) to cause variation in cylinder pressure in the anti-tilt actuator (68, 70), thereby achieving substantially continuous alignment between the mold halves (60, 62) and reduced component wear.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for controlling a fill speed of an injection unit, the method executable in a computing apparatus configured to control a plunger actuator of the injection unit. The method comprises receiving an indication of a mold-cavity-filling parameter, the mold-cavity-filling parameter being indicative of a number of molding cavities of a multi-cavity mold having been filled; responsive to the mold-cavity-filling parameter satisfying a pre-determined threshold, releasing a control signal to the plunger actuator to control speed associated with a plunger of the injection unit from a first filling speed to a second filling speed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metal molding process, including passing, through a conduit passageway, a volume of molten metal located downstream of a passageway blockage formable in the conduit passageway. Also disclosed is a molded article having a body made by a metal molding process, including passing, through a conduit passageway, a volume of molten metal located downstream of a passageway blockage formable in the conduit passageway.

Abstract: A system and method for providing on demand information exchange between a data store and a portable recipient data storage device includes a source of data and a data transfer initiator, coupled to the source of data and configured for initiating the transfer of data from the source of data to a portable recipient data storage device. A data transfer port is provided to couple the data source with the portable recipient data storage device, and configured for transmitting, on request by the recipient, data from the source of data to the portable recipient data storage device.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for an arcuate surface in a high temperature environment and associated method of use is disclosed for a variety of applications. This can include, but is not limited to, an injection molding heater assembly having at least one heater and an injection molding heater and nozzle assembly having at least one heater and a nozzle that is in thermal communication with the at least one heater. This at least one electrical connector, having a first electrical conductor that is electrically connectable to at least one first conductive portion on at least one arcuate surface and a second electrical conductor that is electrically connectable to at least one second conductive portion on the at least one arcuate surface, and at least one disconnect mechanism positioned adjacent to the at least one electrical connector and in electrical connection with the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor.

Abstract: A hot runner system having a melt distribution system that is reusable and reconfigurable to vary drop or nozzle locations to meet various design requirements. The melt distribution system includes a melt distributor in fluid communication with a melt source, at least one melt conduit in fluid communication with the melt distributor, and at least one nozzle in fluid communication with the at least one melt conduit. The hot runner system also includes a backing plate; a manifold plate detachably connected to the backing plate; a melt distribution system positioned between the backing plate and the manifold plate and having at least one nozzle associated therewith. The hot runner system may be configured and reconfigured to accommodate various drop or nozzle locations.

Abstract: Disclosed is: (i) a metal injection-molding system, (ii) a metal injection-molding system including a combining chamber, (iii) a metal injection-molding system including a first injection mechanism and a second injection mechanism, (iv) a metal injection-molding system including a first injection mechanism being co-operable with a second injection mechanism, (v) a mold of a metal injection-molding system, and (vi) a method of a metal injection-molding system.

Abstract: Disclosed is: (i) a metal molding system, (ii) a metal molding system including a combining chamber, (iii) a metal molding system including a first injection-type extruder and a second injection-type extruder, (iv) a metal molding system including a first injection-type extruder being co-operable with a second injection-type extruder, (v) a mold of a metal molding system, and (vi) a method of a metal molding system.

Abstract: Method of operating metal molding system configured to handle mold, system including injection unit having: output port; and machine nozzle defining conduit passageway, nozzle including: egress end, ingress end, conduit passageway for receiving molten metal; and mechanical valve received in passageway, valve positioned between egress end and ingress end, and valve operable in opened and closed positions. Method includes: processing volume of molten metal; placing valve in closed position, so that prior to application of injection pressure by unit, volume of molten metal is located; (i) downstream of valve, and (ii) between egress end and valve; and placing valve in opened position, so that volume of molten metal is injected, in response to application of injection pressure into, at least in part, mold cavity; and actuating valve to closed position, so that another volume of molten metal is located: (i) downstream of valve, and (ii) between egress end and valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a molding-system method, including a temperature-changing operation, including changing temperature of a feedstock being positioned in a barrel assembly from an out-of-barrel temperature to substantially within a processing-temperature range, in response to supplying a calculated amount of thermal energy to the barrel assembly based on a melt throughput being associated with molding articles.

Abstract: Disclosed, amongst other things, is: (i) a valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620) for controlling air flow in an air pressure channel (354, 454) of a molded article holder (50, 150, 250, 350, 450); (ii) a molded article holder (350, 450) co-operable with the valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620); and (iii) a post-mold holding device (315, 415) including the molded article holder (350, 450) and valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620).

Abstract: Disclosed is a platen-linkage assembly, including: (i) a pair of supports being movably guidable along a respective one of a pair of linear-guide rails, (ii) mold-carrier sections being configured to support a mold stack; and (iii) a pair of primary links being rotatably coupled with and being positioned between a chosen one of: (i) the mold-carrier sections, and (ii) the pair of supports.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of a molding system, the method comprising: determining whether a change in a thermal condition of an extruder is required based on a thermal condition of a zone of a melt passageway of the molding system, wherein setting of a threshold temperature of an extruder heater is adjusted based on a non-extruder sensor positioned away from the extruder but positioned proximate to the melt passageway, the melt passageway is also positioned external of the extruder, so that the non-extruder sensor is not negatively influenced by heat retained in the extruder.

Abstract: There are provided a method of operating a temperature management device. For example, there is disclosed a method of operating a temperature management device. The method comprises transmitting towards the temperature management device a probe, the probe having a pre-determined format; receiving a probe response, the probe response being representative of at least one dynamic operational characteristic of the temperature management device; analyzing the probe response to obtain a control parameter suitable for controlling operation of the temperature management device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mold stack of a molding machine. A cavity insert is provided. The cavity insert comprises a body having: an internal surface defining, in use, at least a body portion of a molding cavity; an external surface defining, in use, at least a first portion of a cooling channel configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant; and a mounting flange configured to support, in use, the body relative to a front face of a cavity plate, the mounting flange including a member configured to define, in use, a second portion of the cooling channel.