Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there are provided a mold stack, a molding system incorporating same and a method of aligning the mold stack. For example, a mold stack is provided. The mold stack comprises a first molding cavity defining component, a second molding cavity defining component and a third molding cavity defining component, with the second molding cavity defining component being located, in use, in-between the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component. At least one of the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component is associated with a respective compensator, the respective compensator configured to allow the at least one of the first molding cavity defining component and the third molding cavity defining component to align itself relative to the second molding cavity defining component.

Abstract: System comprising mold-moving assembly cooperative with molding station and insert-integration station.

Abstract: A controller for at least one heater utilized in a hot runner injection molding system, which includes a regulated voltage supply that is electrically connected to the at least one heater utilized in a hot runner injection molding system, at least one sensor operatively associated with at least one heater and utilized in a hot runner injection molding system, at least one digital signal processor that is operatively connected to the at least one heater utilized in a hot runner injection molding system, the regulated voltage supply and the sensor operatively associated with the at least one heater utilized in a hot runner injection molding system based on feedback from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A rotary valve assembly for an injection unit is provided, having a valve body, defining a melt channel for a working fluid. At least one end cap is mounted to the valve body, the valve body and the at least one end cap cooperatively defining a valve seat intersecting the melt channel in a generally traverse direction, the valve seat having a wider portion and a narrower portion. A spool defines an orifice, the spool being rotatably mounted within the valve seat, and is movable between an open position where the orifice is aligned with the melt channel and a closed position where the orifice is misaligned with the melt channel.

Abstract: A hot runner system including a shoot pot system for transferring melt from a single shooting pot to multiple nozzles. Melt is fed from a source of melt into the cavity through the multiple nozzles, and a valve isolates melt in the cavity from melt in the source. A plunger within the cavity is driven forward to inject melt in the cavity into a mold cavity at high pressure without significantly increasing the pressure of melt in the source. The plunger optionally functions as both the plunger and the valve by opening and closing communication between the cavity and the manifold as it is rotated.

Abstract: A clamp actuator of a molding system is provided. The clamp actuator includes a first actuator configured to be interactable with a rod; and a second actuator configured to be interactable with the first actuator. The first actuator is configured to apply a clamping force to the rod; and the second actuator is configured to apply a force opposing the clamping force to the first actuator. Responsive to actuating the first actuator, the rod is drivable between (i) a home position in which a clamping force is not applicable to the rod, and (ii) a force application position in which the clamping force is applicable to the rod. Responsive to a mold flash occurring which exceeds the clamping force, the rod is moveable into a mold flash position beyond the home position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold carrier having: a first external surface and a second external surface being located opposite the first external surface, arranged to mount, in use, respective mold halves; a main hot runner channel; first and second hot runner nozzles in a back-to-back configuration, the first and second hot runner nozzles having bases and connected to the main hot runner channel to receive, in use, molten plastic therefrom, the first and second hot runner nozzles each having a substantially planar sealing surface configured to provide an interface, in use, to a substantially planar interface surface in the respective mold halves; and springs operatively mounted between the nozzle bases and nozzles to spring-load the nozzles against the mold halves for improved sealing sprue bushings being received in the mold halves; and mold locating rings being received by the first external surface and the second external surface, the mold locating rings being configured to locate and position the mold halves relative

Abstract: Disclosed is a hot-runner nozzle system, including: (i) a nozzle housing being configured to convey a molten molding material, (ii) a sieve being coupled with the nozzle housing, (iii) a nozzle tip being securely coupled relative to the sieve, and (iv) a retainer securely extending from the sieve, the retainer connecting with the nozzle tip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve-gated hot-runner system, having: (i) a back-up sealing arrangement, including: (i) a plurality of radial gaps associated with a valve stem of a valve actuator, and (ii) a cooling system being positioned relative to the plurality of radial gaps, the cooling system being configured to freeze a drool being made to enter, under pressure, into the plurality of radial gaps, so that the drool that becomes frozen substantially reduces flow of the drool along the valve stem and toward the valve actuator.

Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating retaining member for use with a molding system and the molding system incorporating same. A retaining structure for use in a molding system, the retaining structure configured to cooperate with a slide that is configured to receive, in use, a split mold insert coupled to the slide, is provided. The retaining structure comprises a body defining a relief element configured to provide a degree of flexibility to the body.

Abstract: Disclosed, amongst other things, is: (i) a rotary injection molding machine; (ii) a mold; (iii) a mass-drive; and (iv) a method of a molding, amongst other things.

Abstract: Disclosed are a molded article picker for a post-mold device and a related method for the use of the molded article picker for handling a molded article. The molded article picker includes a structure having a surface defining an interior that is configured to surround an end portion of the molded article. A sealing surface disposed on the structure is configured to sealingly cooperate with a surface of an outwardly projecting portion of the molded article in response to an evacuation of the interior, wherein the seal allows for the molded article to be retained with the structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are a molded article picker for a post-mold device and a related method for the use of the molded article picker for handling a molded article. The molded article picker includes a floating element being configured to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position and biased in the extended position. Furthermore, the molded article picker comprises a pressure structure extending through the floating element. The floating element is cooperable with the molded article to define a substantially enclosed volume including the pressure structure. The pressure structure is configured such that by evacuating the substantially enclosed volume the molded article is sealed to the floating element and the floating element is drawn into the retracted position, thereby transferring the molded article to the molded article picker.

Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating core for use with a molding system and the molding system incorporating same. A core insert for use in a molding system is provided. The core insert comprises a core base for defining, in use, a portion of a molding cavity; a core support for supporting, in use, the core base relative to a core plate of the molding system; a compensator associated, at least partially, with the core support to permit at least a degree of axial movement to the core base.

Abstract: Fluid distributor and operational drive of a molding system, comprising: block forming manifold for distributing fluid, block including: first interface disposed on side of the block providing connection to stationary device; second interface disposed on block configured to provide connection to electric motor: cylinder bore formed in block, bore interconnected to fluid distribution circuit, cylinder bore open includes the first interface: shaft member being a translatable member, intermediate of ends of shaft member including piston section cooperative with cylinder bore, shaft member including interface member including coupler to engage with movable machine member, other end of the shaft member including operational member, interface disposed on section of the operational member: interface member end cap providing stop for piston section; and drive cap disposed on second interface, drive cap rotatable by electric motor, and rotation of drive cap rotates the shaft member through interface while permitting t

Abstract: A hot runner nozzle system (500) comprising a nozzle tip (100) adjacent to a nozzle (405) in series, and a retainer (400) adjoining both the nozzle tip (100) and the nozzle (405) in parallel, the retainer (400) having a first retainer thread (435), for connection to a nozzle thread (420) to form a first seal (450) between the nozzle end (440) of the retainer (400) and a nozzle shoulder (430), a second retainer thread (460), for connection to a tip thread (455) to form a second seal (470) between the inlet end (475) of the nozzle tip (100) and the gate end (425) of the nozzle (405), a seal ring (115) for creating a gate seal (496) with a gate insert (120), and a plurality of flats (410) thereon to facilitate torquing of the retainer (400) to the nozzle (405), the torque value applied to the retainer (400) being about two to four times of that applied to the nozzle tip (100) to facilitate removal of the nozzle tip (100) independent of the retainer (400).

Abstract: An injection molding machine, including: a human machine interface being configured to provide graphical representation of a status of the injection molding machine; a machine controller being configured to: (i) provide operational control of the injection molding machine, (ii) operationally couple with the human machine interface, the machine controller having; (i) a machine-controller processor; and (ii) machine-controller memory being coupled with the machine-controller processor; an injection unit being configured to plasticizing and inject a molding material; a tie-bar clamping mechanism being associated with the injection unit; and a mold assembly being supported by the tie-bar clamping mechanism, the mold assembly being coupled with the injection unit, the mold assembly being adapted to receive the molding material from the injection unit so that a molded article may be molded, and the mold assembly including: a mold assembly body; and a mold memory device being coupled with the mold assembly body, and

Abstract: Disclosed are a compensating mold stack, a molding system incorporating same and a method of aligning the compensating mold stack. A mold stack for use in a molding system is provided. The mold stack comprises at least two compensating components.

Abstract: Molding system for filling mold with molding material, comprising: extruder, including: barrel configured to process molding material being pushable from barrel; barrel head operatively attached to barrel; screw disposed in the barrel; and screw drive connected to screw; stationary platen support a stationary mold portion; movable platen configured to be movable relative to the stationary platen; and body overlapping and sealing, at least in part, barrel and barrel head, body including: flange received at interface between barrel and barrel head, flange abutting end of barrel, flange abutting end of barrel head; and outer surface protruding from flange into interior of barrel, outer circumferential surface protruding from flange into interior of barrel head, outer surface sealing and overlapping against: (i) inner surface of barrel, and (ii) inner surface of barrel head; and body having coefficient of thermal expansion being: (i) greater than barrel, and (ii) greater than barrel head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nozzle tip, having a tip insert attached to a nozzle tip outlet end of a nozzle tip body, the tip insert being made of a material, or having a thermal barrier coating, having a thermal conductivity value of K<10 W/m° K, and having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the nozzle tip body, to preclude the conduction of excessive heat to the nozzle tip outlet end, and promoting a more decisive fracture of the solidified resin at a gate orifice upon ejection of a molded product, thereby eliminating a string of molten resin and a vestige of excessive height, both of which are undesirable, on the molded product.