Abstract: An in-mold shutter (140) for embedding in an injection mold (100, 200, 300) is described herein. The in-mold shutter (140, 240, 340, 440, 540) includes a shutter actuator (148, 548) that is configured to selectively engage a first mold shoe (130) of the injection mold (100, 200, 300) with a platen of a mold clamping assembly (996) to hold the first mold shoe (130) in an extended position (E), along a mold-stroke axis (X), during a step of molding a first molded article (102A) in the injection mold (100, 200, 300). Also described herein is a molded article transfer device (150, 250) for use with the injection mold (100, 200, 300). The molded article transfer device (150, 250) includes a shuttle (154) that is slidably arranged, in use, within the injection mold (100, 200, 300).

Abstract: A moving apparatus is disclosed that may be for moving a tool of an injection molding machine. It may comprise a beam having at least a part that extends generally longitudinally in a first direction. The beam may be configured such that the tool can be moved relative to the beam in said first direction. The apparatus may also comprise an actuator for moving the at least a part of the beam in a second direction. Also disclosed is a method of moving a tool. The method may comprise: (a) moving a tool along a beam that generally extends in a first direction; and (b) moving at least a part of the beam in a second direction. The first directions may be orthogonal to second directions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the closing speed of valve gated nozzles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hot runner have a valve gated nozzle including a valve stem movable between an open position and a closed position is provided. The valve stem is moved at a first speed for a first portion of valve stem closure and a second speed for a second end portion of the valve stem closure.

Abstract: There is provided a member of a mold stack (100, 800), the member comprising: a member body (102, 802) defining a member molding surface for defining, in use, a portion of a molding cavity for molding a molded article, a member cooling circuit (120, 820) having a plurality of member cooling channels (128, 829), the plurality of member cooling channels (128, 829) being coupled in parallel to a source of cooling fluid, the member cooling circuit (120, 820) being fully encapsulated within the member body (102, 802).

Abstract: The equipping of syringe barrels (11) with needles (25) takes place before the injection of the plastic, in which the needles (25) are introduced through the fixed part (5) of the injection mold (1) by a suitable transport device (transport rollers 33).

Abstract: A method is provided of cleaning of a portion of a mold component, the portion of the mold component including a passage configured, in use, to allow passage of fluid and to prevent passage of melt, the method comprising: entering the mold component into a cleaning configuration, whereby a portion of the passage becomes part of a molding surface; performing a molding cycle to fill in at least the portion of the passage with molding material for incorporation and removal of a residue there from. Also provided is a mold having a first mold half and a second mold half, the halves being movable relative to each other. A mold shut height adjustment apparatus can provide for a change in the mold shut height.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a component of a molding system, and a related method for the manufacture thereof, that has a body with a support matrix defined in at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: A melt distribution device (100) including a heat-receiving part (102) and a heater (104). The heater (104) is coupled to the heat-receiving part (102) so to maintain thermal communication between the heater (104) and the heat-receiving part (102). The heater (104) is also coupled to the heat-receiving part (102) so to isolate, at least partially, the heater (104) from receiving stress and strain transmission from the heat-receiving part (102).

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things is a component (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000) of a molding system (402) (e.g. mold component, post-mold component, etc.) having a heat dissipater (130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830, 930, 1030) that is configured to impart a profiled heat removal rate on a selected portion of a molded article (120, 220, 320, 420) that generally matches a heat distribution therein.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method and system for operating an injection molding machine. For example, a molding system (100) to manufacture a molded article (103) in a mold-cavity system (200) by using a molding material (101) is provided.

Abstract: There is provided a mold stack (100). The mold stack comprises a cavity insert (110) configured to define a portion of a molding cavity (108) for defining a body portion of a preform to be molded therein, the cavity insert (110) positionable, in use, within a bore (113) in a cavity plate (114) in a loose fit arrangement, allowing for a degree of float, in a lateral direction, of the cavity insert (110) relative to the cavity plate (114).

Abstract: Disclosed is a preform (300) suitable for subsequent blow-molding into a final-shaped container. The preform comprises a neck portion (302); a gate portion (306); and a body portion (304) extending between said neck portion and said gate portion; the gate portion including an upwardly-bound region (324) defined between the inner and outer walls thereof, substantially whole of the upwardly-bound region extending in a direction towards the neck portion (302).

Abstract: Hot-runner manifolds that contain one or more types of non-melt channels in addition to melt channels, and injection-molding systems containing such hot-runner manifolds. The differing types of non-melt channels include: coolant channels for carrying a coolant for cooling the tips of hot-tip nozzles, for example, during hot latching operations; heating-fluid channels for carrying a heating fluid for heating melt within melt channels within the hot-runner manifolds; and actuation-fluid channels for carrying actuation fluid to valves of valve-actuated nozzles. In each case, nozzles can be formed unitarily monolithically with the hot-runner manifolds and one or more of the various types of non-melt channels can be continuously routed within such unitary monolithic nozzles. Freeform fabrication processes can be used to form hot-runner manifolds of the present disclosure, which often contain complex/intricate internal passageways that form the various types of melt and non-melt channels.

Abstract: According to embodiments, there is provided a method (300) of controlling a first melt accumulator (121). The first melt accumulator (121) is part of an injection unit (100), the injection unit (100) including an extruder (102) for preparing molding material and a second melt accumulator (123). The first melt accumulator (121) and the second melt accumulator (123) are configured to sequentially receive molding material from the extruder (102). The extruder (102) is being operable to produce molding material in at least near continuous manner, both the first melt accumulator (121) and the second melt accumulator (123) being associated with a respective shot size set-point. The method comprises detecting (310) an indication of an out-of-boundary condition associated with operation the first melt accumulator (121); responsive to said detecting (310), controlling (320) the first melt accumulator (121) to continue accepting molding material beyond its respective shot size set-point.

Abstract: Injection-molding nozzles having any one or more of improved heat transfer, wear resistance, and melt transfer from a manifold to a mold. The operation and durability of a nozzle can be improved by integrally layering multiple materials to create a multi-property nozzle that is a unitary, monolithic, and seamless structure. For example, the heat transfer properties of a nozzle is improved by integrally layering certain materials in the nozzle housing such that heat is more effectively dissipated or transferred throughout the nozzle to maintain and promote melt flow. One or more components of the nozzle can be merged and thus seamlessly formed to improve melt flow by reducing joints that would cause the melt to hang up within the nozzle and, concomitantly, reducing manufacturing and assembly time. The process used to unitarily form some or all of the nozzle may also be used to create complex geometric configurations therein.

Abstract: The hot runner nozzle (1) for injecting plastic material into a molding tool comprises a needle valve with a nozzle needle (19) for closing the discharge opening (25). The nozzle needle (19) has the same diameter as the cylindrical bore in the discharge opening (25) and is inserted therein in order to close the cylindrical bore in the discharge opening (25). During the injection process the nozzle needle (19) is outside the melt flow and cannot cause said melt flow to swirl and is not radially loaded by the melt flow.

Abstract: An injection molding system including a valve operated shooting pot and methods of use are disclosed. The shooting pot may have an inlet and an outlet and a valve may be control flow through both the inlet and the outlet. The valve may be selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The valve may block flow through the inlet and permit flow through the outlet in the first position, and permit flow through the inlet and block flow through the outlet in the second position.

Abstract: A mold-tool system (10), comprising: a first component (12) defining a first passageway (13) configured to convey, in use, a flowable molding material; a second component (14) defining a second passageway (15) configured to: (i) be in fluid communication with the first passageway (13), and (ii) convey, in use, the flowable molding material. A wear-resistant assembly (16) contacts, at least in part, the first component (12) and the second component (14).

Abstract: Disclosed is a side gate nozzle assembly (108) having a nozzle body (210) and at least one side gate nozzle tip assembly (112) wherein the nozzle body (210) and the at least one side gate nozzle tip assembly (112) are slidably engaged to each other.

Abstract: An injection molding machine comprises a manifold plate, a nozzle extending through the manifold plate, and a gate pad. A valve stem is disposed within the nozzle and is movable between a first position in which the valve stem extends through an outlet of the nozzle, and a retracted position. The gate pad has an inlet end with an inlet opening and an outlet end with a gate aperture. The inlet end is removably attachable to the manifold plate so that the nozzle is received through the inlet opening and the outlet of the nozzle is in communication with the gate aperture, wherein the valve stem seals the gate aperture in the extended position. The outlet end of the gate pad abuts a mold insert and molding material is delivered from the nozzle to a cavity defined by the mold insert through the gate aperture.