Abstract: Methods and assemblies related to a rotary automatic transfer rail for injection molding are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention includes a mold assembly. The mold assembly may include first, second, and third mold plates. The mold plates may be positioned generally parallel to one another. The mold assembly may include an automatic transfer rail assembly. The automatic transfer rail assembly may include a rail. The automatic transfer rail assembly may include a carrier. The carrier may have first and second members. The carrier may be translatable along the rail between a first closed position and an open position. The carrier may be rotatable about the rail. In some embodiments, molded articles need not be transferred from mold components to a robot and then back to different mold components.

Abstract: A molding machine and method for reducing the length of a mold cycle by enabling access to a previously molded part while the mold is closed. The machine includes a fixed platen and a platen movable toward and away from the fixed platen. A turret having a plurality of faces is positioned between the fixed and movable platens such that rotatation thereof brings different faces of the turret into alignment with the fixed platen. The fixed platen and at least two opposed turret faces have complementary mold halves that, when closed, define between them the desired shape of a part to be molded.

Abstract: Molding equipment for an injection molding machine and particularly adapted for ejection of a molded article from a mold core. Mold cores borne by a rotatable turret are brought into position in respective cavities formed in one or more mold halves. The turret and mold halves are so configured that when one core is in registration with the cavity of that mold half, another core carrying a previously molded article is positioned away from the mold halves for ejection of the article. The equipment includes an ejector having cooperating, molded article-engaging portions, at least one of the portions being moveable in a first direction to close upon another portion of the ejector to encounter the molded article, and the ejector portions, when closed, being moveable in a second, different direction to expel the molded articles from the cores upon which they were molded.