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.

Abstract: An injection assembly for an injection molding machine, with a continuously operating plasticizing unit, includes a piston-type injection unit and an arrangement for intermediate storage and discharge of melt. Several melt reservoirs with melt inlet openings are provided between the plasticizing unit and the piston-type injection unit. Melt lines that connect the melt reservoirs with each other and with the plasticizing unit extend to the melt inlet openings. The melt reservoirs include actuatable work pistons for discharging the melt, wherein the work pistons can open and close the melt inlet openings in the melt reservoirs to divert the melt flow. The disclosed injection unit increases the total volume of bufferable melt and allows individual and separate adjustment of the reservoir volumes and the discharge velocity of the individual melt reservoirs. In addition, switching valves can be eliminated since the melt flow is switched by the work pistons.

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: An injection unit for an injection molding machine includes a barrel and a plasticizing screw received in the barrel. An electromotive rotary drive causes the plasticizing screw to rotate and is supported for joint movement with the plasticizing screw in relation to the barrel in direction of an injection stroke. The plasticizing screw and the rotary drive are moved by an electromechanical injection stroke drive to execute the injection stroke. A linear guide is connected to a machine bed for guiding a longitudinal movement of the injection stroke drive and the plasticizing screw. Misalignment of the coaxial disposition of the plasticizing screw, the rotary drive and the injection stroke drive is eliminated by providing a housing shell which is torsionally stiff and moveably accommodates the rotary drive, wherein the plasticizing barrel and the injection stroke drive are connected by the housing shell in a tension-proof manner and supported via the housing shell on the linear guide for longitudinal movement.

Abstract: A hydraulic system includes at least two consumers, e.g., a closing unit and an injection unit of an injection molding machine. At least two displacement pumps are provided to produce a fluid flow under pressure to the consumers, whereby at least one control valve is provided for each of the consumers. At least one further valve is provided to control a fluid communication between the output sides of the displacement pumps, wherein at least one of the consumers is supplied with pressure from the outlet of the displacement pumps separately or together in groups.

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: 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: An injection molding device with an injection molding cylinder in which is arranged a coaxial worn that is rotatable and axially displaceable by drive devices. A spindle nut rotatable by a first drive device is mounted in a housing and cooperates with a screw sleeve which is axially displaceable during rotation of the spindle nut but is fixed against rotation during axial displacement. Further, a shaft is mounted in the interior of the screw sleeve and is connected at one end to the worm and has at the other end an axial coupling, one of whose coupling parts communicates with a second drive device.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for continuous casting of metallic materials in a semi-solid state is disclosed. A solid metallic material is processed by heating the material in a first container with an inductive heater to a temperature above the solidus temperature. The processed metallic material is then transported to a storage container, from there to an injection unit and subsequently to a casting tool.