Abstract: In a method for operating an injection molding machine, particularly a method for securing tools of an injection molding machine, a desired variable curve is determined along at least one section of a travel path of a molding tool in a desired variable determination phase, and the injection molding machine is operated according to the determined desired variable curve in a subsequent operational phase. A default curve of at least one initial variable is predefined, the molding tool is driven in accordance with the default curve of the initial variable in a test run, at least one resulting value of the desired variable is measured and stored during the test run, and a desired variable curve is formed along the section of the travel path from the measured values of the desired variable.

Abstract: In a method for operating an injection molding machine an actual clamping force is measured during an opening and/or closing movement of a mold half along a travel path. A force pattern of a maximum allowable clamping force and/or a minimum allowable clamping force is predefined along the travel path, and the measured actual clamping force is compared with the maximum and/or minimum clamping forces, respectively. When the actual clamping force surpasses the maximum clamping force or falls short of the minimum clamping force, a time measurement is started, wherein a drive of the mold half is switched off, when the time measurement exceeds a predetermined time duration.

Abstract: A control device for use with a plastics processing machine, e.g. an injection molding machine, includes a housing which is constructed for protection against ingress of water in compliance with the IP code and accommodates a heat source such as a CPU unit or a display unit. A cooling system is provided for dissipating heat generated by the heat source and includes a pump for pumping a coolant, at least one cooling element arranged inside the housing, a cooler provided outside the housing, and a coolant circuit for circulation of the coolant. The coolant circuit fluidly connects hereby the pump, the cooling element and the cooler with one another.

Abstract: A clamping unit, particularly for an injection molding machine, includes at least one moving platen which is moveably arranged on a frame element. At least one hydrostatic support is provided in an area between the platen and the frame element for facilitating back and forth displacement of the moving platen to thereby avoid speed-dependent friction values. Operation of the clamping unit is realized by building up pressure in a hydrostatic support before the moving platen is initiated for displacement so that the moving plate is slightly raises platen in relation to the frame element. After displacement of the moving platen, the pressure in the hydrostatic support is decreased again.

Abstract: A machining apparatus for making a plasticizing barrel includes a clamping device for securing the plasticizing barrel, with the clamping device constructed for rotation about a rotation axis and for off-center acceptance of the plasticizing barrel to thereby cause the plasticizing barrel to wobble about its symmetry axis, when the clamping device rotates. The clamping device interacts with a machining unit to provide the plasticizing barrel with an internal conical bore for receiving a screw.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing plastics, particularly an extrusion machine or injection molding machine, includes a material supply device, a plasticizing device and a molding device which are controlled by a control device to allow plastic products to be produced in a fully automated manner while taking into account essential operational processes. The apparatus includes first recording means which record the raw material supply and/or changes in the raw material supply, second recording means which records process parameters and/or material parameters, and a control device with evaluation means which determine from the data of the first and second recording means the expected raw material consumption, the expected production time, and/or the expected production cost for a given quantity of the product. Several apparatuses of this type can be combined in a single machine unit and controlled by the control device of one apparatus operating as a master.

Abstract: A mold portion of a molding tool for making plastic articles includes a base body defining a cavity surface and having formed therein at least one heating channel, and at least one cooling channel separated from the heating channel and having a cross section which is smaller than a cross section of the heating channel. The cooling channel is positioned hereby closer to the cavity surface than the heat channel and thus is in an area between the heat channel and the cavity surface, thereby defining a cavity-proximal cooling channel and a cavity-distal heat channel. Before the injection process, the cavity surface is heated by the heat channel to a higher temperature than the demolding temperature of the plastic article to be formed. At the end of the injection process, the cavity surface is cooled by the cooling system.

Abstract: A clamping unit for an injection molding machine includes a fixed platen, a support platen, and a moving platen which is arranged between the fixed platen and the support platen for back and forth movement. An opening and closing mechanism constructed as crank drive having at least one crank disk is provided to effect a back and forth movement of the moving platen in relation to the support platen, with the crank disk rotatable by a drive mechanism. A first connecting rod links the crank disk to the support platen, and a second connecting rod links the crank disk to the moving platen, wherein at least one of the first and second connecting rods is articulated in eccentric relationship to the crank disk. A pulling means extends between the support platen and the fixed platen to allow a buildup of a clamping force between the fixed platen and the moving platen.

Abstract: In a method of controlling the feed amount of compounding materials for a compounder-type injection molding machine with a plasticizing unit, an injection unit, receiving plasticized material from the plasticizing unit, and a metering unit for supply of starting material into the plasticizing unit, the volume of a mass stream downstream of the plasticizing unit is ascertained and the metering unit is operated in response to the ascertained volume.

Abstract: A hybrid injection unit for an injection molding machine includes a plasticizing screw having a shaft and constructed for rotation and axial displacement. Operatively connected to the shaft is a first electric motor for rotating the plasticizing screw, and a second electric motor for axial displacement of the plasticizing screw. A cost-efficient construction of the second electric motor and reduced stress of the linkage between this electric motor and the shaft is realized by providing at least one piston and cylinder unit in fluid communication with a pressure source for support of the second electric motor in injection direction, and a traverse acted upon by one end of the piston and cylinder unit and rotatably supporting the shaft of the plasticizing shaft. The traverse acts upon the shaft between a force introduction point of the second electric motor into the shaft, on one hand, and the plasticizing screw, on the other hand.

Abstract: A rotary device for a horizontal injection molding machine includes a base and a rotary table supported on the base for rotation about a vertical rotation axis upon operation of a drive. The drive includes a shaft extending downwards from the rotary table and projecting through the base.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for an extruder with at least two co-rotating extruder screws having driveshafts includes a housing and a drive motor which is received in the housing and including a stator and a rotor. The rotor is operatively connected to driveshafts of the extruder screws and has arranged thereon a toothed surface in direct engagement with complementary toothed surfaces of at least two of the driveshafts of the extruder screws.

Abstract: A heatable tool for a device processing plastic melt or metal melt includes a tool body having a tool surface intended for contacting a melt, with the tool body including a tool carrier having a receptacle. An electrically conducting ceramic is constructed as insert for placement in the receptacle for heating at least an area of the tool surface and includes cooling channels for passage of a coolant. The electrically conducting ceramic is arranged on at least one electrically conducting surface for feeding electric energy to the electrically conducting ceramic, wherein electric feed lines to the electrically conducting surface and the cooling channels are constructed for detachable connection such that the electrically conducting ceramic is replaceable with another electrically conducting ceramic for providing a cavity of different configuration.

Abstract: Injection molding machines must be provided with devices which ensure that the mold mounting plates when in open position cannot inadvertently close, wherein the conventional safety devices include a toothed locking bar disposed between two mold mounting plates and are provided with a ratchet mechanism, but which obstructs accessibility in the space between the two mold mounting plates, so that according with the present invention a blocking unit is disposed outside the space between two mold mounting plates for engagement of the drive unit of the closing unit to thereby prevent an inadvertent closure.

Abstract: An injection unit for an injection molding machine includes a plasticizing unit in the form of an extruder, a plunger-type injection device, which can be connected to the injection molding machine by an injection nozzle. The plunger-type injection device defines an injection space. The extruder has a forward portion which is connected to the injection space by a melt through channel in which a shutoff valve is disposed. The extruder is operated continuously and includes one or more plasticizing screws, wherein the extruder is configured in such a way that the backup length can expand backwards into the extruder, when the shutoff valve is closed.

Abstract: An injection unit for injection molding machines includes an extruder as plasticizing unit and a plunger-type injection molding device that can be coupled to the injection molding machine by an injection nozzle. The plunger-type injection molding machine has an injection plunger, wherein the area in front of the injection plunger forms an injection space which is connected to a forward end of the extruder by a melt channel, with a shutoff valve disposed in the melt channel. The extruder can be continuously operated and has one or more plasticizing screws for plastification, wherein the extruder is so configured that a backup length is able to increase backwards into the extruder, when the shutoff valve is closed.

Abstract: A device for removing an injection-molded substrate with attached sprue from an injection mold having half-molds, in particular a substrate for optical data carriers, includes a lever that can swing in and out of a position between the half-molds of the injection mold and is constructed to include a substrate retaining mechanism with a substrate retaining member with a recess or an opening sized to hold the substrate and configured to receive the sprue with a pass fit. The substrate retaining member secures the substrate in place as the lever swings in and out of the open half-molds. An injection molding machine using the device is also described. The substrate can be quickly demolded and the sprue removed in a single operation without producing dust in the mold.

Abstract: A mixing head includes an integrated shot counting apparatus. The shot counting apparatus is hereby implemented as an integrated circuit with a detector for ascertaining an operating parameter of the mixing head, and an electric acquisition and storage unit operatively connected to the detector and having a counter and a non-volatile memory device which is operatively connected to the counter.

Abstract: A rotary device for a horizontal injection molding machine includes a base plate and a rotary table supported on the base plate for rotation about a vertical rotation axis upon operation of a drive. The drive includes a pivot pin extending downwards from the rotary table and projecting through the base plate.

Abstract: A calibration device for calibrating extruded continuous profiles, in particular tubes, includes a plurality of successively arranged segment rings comprised of individual segments whose internal surfaces jointly form a calibration opening. Successively axially arranged segments are assembled in the form of a segment block. The individual segments of each segment block are arranged on a support structure, and the segment blocks are arranged, in an essentially circular form, in a housing in such a way that the axially adjacent segments partially overlap each other at each position thereof in a circumferential direction. Each support structure is connected to at least one mounting and operating device. The individual segment blocks which are associated to the support structures thereof are fixed to the housing with the aid of the mounting and operating device, and the adjustment of each segment block is carried out in an axial direction.