Abstract: A magnetic coupling for an injection molding apparatus, such as a hot half or hot runner, includes a first magnetic part for connection to an actuator, a valve pin plate, or the like and a movable second magnetic part for connection to a valve pin. The first magnetic part and the second magnetic part are coupled by a magnetic force. The first magnetic part can be part of the actuator. The second magnetic part can be part of the valve pin. A valve pin plate can be provided for a plurality of valve pins.

Abstract: A valve pin bushing assembly for an injection molding apparatus. The assembly includes a bushing body for connection to a manifold, a flexible barrier having a first end that is continuously connected to the bushing body, and a valve pin continuously connected to a second end of the flexible barrier. The valve pin extends through a nozzle in a downstream direction towards a mold gate, wherein the valve pin is movable in an upstream direction and in the downstream direction for opening and closing the mold gate. The flexible barrier seals a channel of molding material from an outside space.

Abstract: A manifold of an injection molding apparatus includes a primary melt channel and secondary melt channels extending from the primary melt channel. A shear rod is disposed at the junction between the primary and secondary melt channels. The shear rod extends from the junction into the primary melt channel and is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the primary melt channel.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold defining a manifold channel for receiving pressurized molding material from an upstream source and a nozzle defining a nozzle channel in communication with the manifold channel to define a flow channel. The nozzle is associated with a mold gate of a mold cavity and delivers molding material to the mold gate. A vane, such as that of an impeller or screw, is rotatably disposed in the flow channel upstream of a mold gate. A motor is coupled to the vane and rotates the vane in either direction. Rotation of the impeller or screw can be automatically adjusted by a controller and a sensor that measures pressure, temperature, or other property of the molding material.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a surgical training apparatus which comprises a plurality of mechanical interfaces each of which is configured to receive a user tool operable by a user. Each mechanical interface of the plurality is configured to allow movement of its respective user tool in a rotational degree of freedom and a linear degree of freedom. The apparatus includes one or more sensors which are coupled to the mechanical interfaces and configured to simultaneously sense positional information of each user tool during movement. A computer coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to run a software application simulating each user tool as a respective simulated surgical tool operating on a simulated body part in a displayed graphical environment, wherein the computer updates movement of each simulated user tool in the graphical environment based on said positional information.

Abstract: A multi-material injection molding machine includes stationary and moving platens holding cores and first and second injection units for delivering first and second molding materials. The moving platen is slidable towards and away from the stationary platen. Further provided is a rotational distribution unit movable between the stationary platen and the moving platen and defining first cavities on one side and second cavities on an opposite side. The first cavities are for mating with cores to define first mold cavities and the second cavities are for mating with cores to define second mold cavities. Also provided are a rotational actuator for rotating the rotational distribution unit and a molding material delivery apparatus for delivering one or more of the first molding material to the first cavities and the second molding material to the second cavities.

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 valve gated hot runner nozzle with at least two transition members made of different materials located between a nozzle tip and a mold gate component to provide a thermal transition region. A first transition member in contact with the nozzle tip is less thermally conductive than a second transition member in contact with the mold gate component. The valve pin when in the closed position makes sealing contact with at least the second transition member such that cooling from the mold gate component is transferred to the valve pin to cool the melt in the mold gate area.

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: A nozzle has a valve pin for controlling flow of molding material through a nozzle melt passage. An actuator has a stationary part and a movable part. The actuator further has an extending rod connected to the movable part thereof and a block connected to the rod, the block being movable with the moveable part of the actuator. A pivoting linkage element is rotatably connected to the block of the actuator and is connected to the valve pin of the nozzle. The pivoting linkage element moves the valve pin in response to movement of the movable part of the actuator. A bracket is connected to the stationary part of the actuator. Two sensors are connected to the bracket for detecting different positions of the block. The sensors may be air proximity sensors.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes an injection molding nozzle having a nozzle body defining a channel for flow of molding material and a nozzle tip coupled to the nozzle body. The nozzle tip is shaped to define a converging gap with a mold component into which the nozzle tip is inserted during use. A seal piece having a wedge or wedge-like portion is disposed between the nozzle tip and the mold component Pressure of molding material acting on a surface of the wedge portion wedges the wedge portion into the converging gap.

Abstract: An upstream runner component defines an upstream channel for flow of molding material. A downstream runner component defines a downstream channel for flow of molding material. A wedge seal is disposed in a converging gap defined surface of the upstream runner component and the downstream runner component. The wedge seal defines a seal channel connecting the upstream channel to the downstream channel. Pressure of molding material acting on an inside surface of the wedge seal defining the seal channel pushes the wedge seal into sealing contact with the surfaces of the upstream runner component and the downstream runner component defining the converging gap.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold melt channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material under pressure and at least one nozzle having a nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with the manifold melt channel. The nozzle has an opening that intersects with the nozzle melt channel, the opening having a central axis that is at an angle with respect to a central axis of the nozzle. A nozzle tip is coupled to the nozzle at one end of the opening. A valve pin bushing is coupled to the nozzle at an end of the opening opposite the nozzle tip. A valve pin extends through the opening. A primary actuator is connected to the valve pin. A nozzle locator piece is connected to the nozzle for mating with a side plate to locate the nozzle with respect to the mold gate.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus having a sealing arrangement between a hot runner manifold and edge-gated nozzle that accommodates thermal expansion during operation is disclosed. A spacer element is axially fixed in position between the manifold and a mold plate in which the nozzle sits. The nozzle includes a reduced diameter spigot portion on an upstream end that is in a telescopic/slidable relationship with a bore of the spacer element. The nozzle includes radially extended nozzle tips axially fixed in position at a downstream end of the nozzle that are in fluid communication with respective mold gates and corresponding mold cavities. In the cold condition, a gap G exists between a shoulder of the nozzle proximate the spigot portion and a corresponding surface of the spacer element bore. Under operating conditions, thermal expansion of the nozzle is accommodated in a direction of the manifold by the gap.

Abstract: An injection molding system includes a mold having a hot half and a cold half, the hot half including a hot runner. A bus transceiver is located in the mold. At least one electrical device associated with the operation of the mold is located in the mold and electrically coupled to the bus transceiver. A controller for controlling the mold is located outside the mold. A bus line electrically couples the controller to the bus transceiver of the electrical device apparatus includes an injection manifold having an inlet and a melt channel.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material and delivering the melt stream to a mold cavity through a nozzle channel of a nozzle and a mold gate. A heater is coupled to the manifold. The heater includes a heater plate that is formed by an extrusion process and at least one channel for receiving a heating element.