Abstract: A clamping mechanism for a clamping unit of an injection molding machine includes a drive unit which moves a first platen linearly relative to a fixed second platen and is linked to the first platen for limited movement. A force-application unit builds up a clamping force, when the first platen assumes a closing position. Disposed between the force application unit and the first platen is a locking device which transmits the clamping force and includes a screw mechanism which operates in synchronism with the drive unit and has a screw shaft and a locking nut constructed to normally connect with clearance to the screw shaft via a thread connection and to interact with the screw shaft for transmitting a load, when the clamping force is applied, whereby the threaded connection is forced to self-lock to secure the locking nut on the screw shaft and prevent reverse rotation of the locking nut.

Abstract: An actuating drive for a plasticizing unit of an injection molding machine is disclosed. The actuating drive includes a spindle drive with an electric motor and a control mechanism. An energy storage device is coupled with the spindle drive for force transmission therebetween. The energy storage device is loaded by the spindle drive in a return stroke phase and is unloaded in a forward feed phase, boosting the power of an electric motor. The actuator drive can be used, for example, for pulsating actuation of a mold ejector of the injection molding machine, significantly reducing the electrical energy consumption compared to conventional drives.

Abstract: A foaming agent charging and mixing device comprises at least one mixing device and one foaming agent metering device, wherein the foaming agent charging and mixing device may be arranged between an plasticating screw and a mold. In order to improve the foaming agent charging and mixing device in a manner that the mixing with foaming agent is facilitated and at the same time a risk of obstruction of the foaming agent metering device is avoided, the foaming agent metering device is alternately opened and closed through the mixing device during operation thereof for supplying foaming agent to the plastic melting.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes an actuating drive in form of an electromotive spindle drive and an energy storage device associated with the spindle drive. The energy storage device stores kinetic energy and can include two counteracting compression spring assemblies. The energy storage device is hereby loaded, as the spindle drive moves to a first end position, and unloaded, as the spindle drive moves in opposite direction to a second end position, wherein unloading of the energy storage device is accompanied by a power boost of the electric motor, and wherein the first force is equal to the second force at an equilibrium location distal from the end positions of the spindle drive.

Abstract: A machine-side ejector assembly for an injection molding machine having a mold mounting plate includes an ejector plate which is movable relative to the mold mounting plate, and a rotatable shaft having one end received by the ejector plate. An indexing plate is connectable to the rotatable shaft, with a rotary drive, disposed on or in the ejector plate, for rotating the indexing plate via the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An injection assembly for an injection molding machine includes a plasticizing screw defining an axis, a housing, and a drive train, which is accommodated in the housing, for moving the plasticizing screw in an axial direction and for turning the plasticizing screw. The drive train includes an injection drive having a screw mechanism with a threaded shaft moveable in direction of an injection stroke, with the plasticizing screw being rigidly connected to the threaded shaft, and a rotary drive having a drive element, with the plasticizing screw being connected to the drive element such that the plasticizing screw is able to turn with the drive element and able to move in axial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical linear drive, in particular for an injection moulding machine, comprising an electric motor with a hollow-shaft rotor, open on one side, with a subsequent screw gear which converts the rotational movement of the hollow-shaft rotor into a linear movement. The hollow-shaft rotor is supported on the motor housing, at the end thereof closed by a end wall, such as to rotate, by means of a central bearing spigot projecting axially from the end wall.

Abstract: A nozzle contact device for guiding and clamping the injection nozzle for an injection unit of an injection molding machine onto an injection mold includes a linear drive for moving the injection unit back and forth, and a guide carriage which can be driven by the linear drive, with the guide carriage being articulated to the injection unit. The invention is characterized in that the axis of rotation of the articulation between the guide carriage and the injection unit extends horizontally, and that this axis of rotation and the injection axis are arranged on planes which are parallel to each other, preferably on the same horizontal plane. Rotary joints or flexural joints can be provided. In addition, the rear part of the injection unit, in particular a screw mechanism can be height-adjustable. As a result, the nozzle contact force is introduced into the injection unit in the absence of a bending moment. No tilting is caused between the injection nozzle and the sprue bush of the injection mold.

Abstract: A retrofit module for attachment to an injection molding machine having a plasticizing and injection unit includes a module plasticizing and injection unit, and a support assembly to secure the module plasticizing and injection unit on the injection molding machine independently from the plasticizing and injection unit of the injection molding machine. The module plasticizing and injection unit and the plasticizing and injection unit of the injection molding machine define hereby length axes which extend at an angle of less than 90°. Extending through a nozzle orifice of a platen of the injection molding machine is a nozzle assembly for conducting melt produced by the plasticizing and injection unit of the injection molding machine and the module plasticizing and injection unit. The nozzle assembly is constructed to allow docking of the module plasticizing and injection unit and plasticizing and injection unit of the injection molding machine.

Abstract: A linear drive for an injection molding machine includes a housing defining a sealed interior space containing a gas volume. The housing has two housing portions constructed for telescopic movement within one another. A spindle drive is accommodated in the housing and operated by the electric motor. The spindle drive includes a spindle shaft, which is axially securely fixed to one of the housing portions, and a spindle nut, which is arranged on the spindle shaft and axially securely fixed to the other one of the housing portions. Acting on the spindle drive is an energy accumulator which is constructed for discharge in a first operating cycle which is energy-intensive and for recharging in a second operating cycle which is opposite to the first operating cycle and requires little energy.

Abstract: A plastics processing machine, in particular injection molding machine or extruder, includes at least one component represented by a clamping unit, feed and metering apparatus, plasticizing unit, injection unit, or separate injection apparatus, and characterized by specific parameters for carrying out at least one working or process step. A control device is connected to the at least one component and configured to control the at least one component, with the component-specific parameters being useable in the control device for control of the component. Provided for the component is a separate memory device in which the component-specific parameters are stored and can be transmitted to the control device prior to or upon startup of operation of the component.

Abstract: An injection unit for an injection molding machine includes an injection device in the form of a plunger/screw, which is driven axially and rotationally in a housing, and a device intended for mixing and metering plastic melt and including an inlet for introduction of an additive. A spacer element is disposed between a backflow prevention assembly of the screw and the plunger, with the spacer element having a length, which corresponds at least to the stroke of the injection device. The spacer element has a first flow channel for establishing in each position a fluidic connection with a second flow channel which initially extends radially in an outward direction and then parallel to the movement and guide area of the plunger to an area between a nozzle and the plunger. The second flow channel extends through the mixing and metering device arranged adjacent to a movement and guide area of the plunger.

Abstract: A distribution switch for sorting and guiding parts, particularly workpieces made of plastic, includes rods which are movable axially parallel to one another. The rods define paths which guide the parts in question into at least two different receiving elements while either forming a slope or leaving an opening in the center, depending on a predeterminable position of the rods. The rods correspond with guide elements through which they are movable substantially horizontally, in that drive units are provided, by which means the rods can be moved independently toward one another or away from one another along their longitudinal axes, and in that the lines can be changed in length depending on the position of the rods.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a machine, especially an injection molding machine, includes a bus board providing communication connections between different units, a wiring board, and a separate process module. The process module includes one or more process boards providing a base range of input/output (I/O) connections for the machines to be controlled. The process module can be directly connected to the bus board and the wiring board by means of a plug of second or third type, and thus produces a bridge, i.e. a connection, between the bus and wiring boards, thereby reducing wiring required between these boards At least one control module, which assumes the control tasks for the machine, can be plugged into the bus board by means of a plug contacts of first type.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ejector device for an injection-molding machine for plastics, having at least one ejector pin, which can be moved toward the mold and away from the latter through the center of a moveable die clamping plate by an actuator. In this arrangement, the actuator provided is a linear motor (21), which is arranged outside the central axis (I) on the moveable clamping plate (11) , and bar-shaped force-transmission elements (30), by means of which the linear motor can be brought into operative connection with the ejector pin (41), are provided.

Abstract: An electromotive adjustment drive includes an electric drive having a single motor with a rotor having a magnetic pole assembly, and a stator interacting with the rotor and having a magnetic pole assembly. The rotor is operatively connected to a member, such as a plasticizing screw of an injection unit, and is constructed for movement along a travel path, whereby one of the magnetic pole assemblies of the rotor and the stator is extended in relation to the other one of the magnetic pole assemblies of the rotor and the stator by a portion corresponding to the travel path. A spindle drive is positioned between the rotor and a motor housing and has a first transmitting element which is operatively connected to the rotor, and a second transmitting element which supports the first transmitting element. A plurality of switching elements is constructed for selective operation of the electric drive as a rotary drive or as injection drive.

Abstract: A mold closing device for an injection molding machine for plastics includes a movable tool clamping plate having a first side opposedly oriented to a fixed tool clamping plate for cooperatively mating tool halves with the fixed tool clamping plate and having a second side distal from the fixed tool clamping plate. The movable tool clamping plate is mounted on a machine slide connected to a first and second guide shoe for traversing in an axial direction two guide rails associated with a respective edge of the movable tool clamping plate. The mold closing device also includes two bending elements. Each of the two bending elements connects a corner of the second side of the movable tool clamping plate to a guide shoe that is cooperating with one of the at least two guide rails. Each bending element is rigid perpendicular to the respective guide rail and includes a bending region that has a predeterminable elasticity in the axial direction to absorb a closing force.

Abstract: A linear drive for an injection molding machine includes a housing defining a sealed interior space containing a gas volume. The housing has two housing portions constructed for telescopic movement within one another. A spindle drive is accommodated in the housing and operated by the electric motor. The spindle drive includes a spindle shaft, which is axially securely fixed to one of the housing portions, and a spindle nut, which is arranged on the spindle shaft and axially securely fixed to the other one of the housing portions. Acting on the spindle drive is an energy accumulator which is constructed for discharge in a first operating cycle which is energy-intensive and for recharging in a second operating cycle which is opposite to the first operating cycle and requires little energy.

Abstract: A pressure measuring device for an injection molding machine having a plasticizing screw operated by a rotary drive and an injection drive includes a load detector having a deformation zone which forms part of a transmission member of the injection drive and is of reduced cross section, and a sensor. The deformation zone elastically deforms in response to a driving force acting on the transmission member, with the sensor measuring a change in shape of the deformation zone.

Abstract: A backflow prevention device for a plasticizing and injection screw axially movable in a plasticizing cylinder of an injection molding machine, includes a base body having a leading head portion and a trailing neck portion and formed with a channel for passage of plastic melt by the screw to an anterior screw space, whereby a check valve is disposed in the channel. Bearing against an inner wall of the plasticizing cylinder and axially moving between open and closed positions is a locking ring so positioned behind the head portion in the area of the neck portion as to define a gap with the base body.