Abstract: A coinjection molding apparatus includes a manifold, a nozzle body coupled to the manifold, a sleeve disposed within the nozzle body and defining an outer melt channel between the sleeve and the nozzle body, a pin disposed within the sleeve and defining an inner melt channel between the pin and the sleeve, and a nozzle tip having an alignment portion contacting the sleeve. The sleeve is actuated to open and close melt communication of the outer melt channel and a cavity gate. The pin is actuated to open and close melt communication of the inner melt channel and an opening of the sleeve. The alignment portion aligns the sleeve with the cavity gate along the actuated range of the sleeve.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus having a nozzle which includes a first nozzle body segment, a second nozzle body segment, and a thermal barrier coupled between the nozzle body segments. The first nozzle body segment, the thermal barrier, and the second nozzle body segment define a melt channel through the nozzle for delivering a melt stream from a manifold channel of a manifold to a mold cavity. The thermal barrier substantially limits the heat flow from one nozzle body segment to the other, to thereby control the heat distribution along the melt channel.

Abstract: An injection molding system is disclosed having a self-regulating valve for balancing melt flow. The self-regulating valve includes a control rod configured to balance the melt flow rate through a hot runner system. The self-regulating valve reacts to an injection or melt pressure within the hot runner system and a pre-set force provided by an external force device. The self-regulating valve is an open-loop system as it requires neither a measurement of pressure by a sensor nor feedback from a processor in order to regulate the melt flow. The self-regulating valve mechanically reacts to changes in melt pressure on control surfaces thereof by “bobbing” upwards/downwards to decrease/increase the melt flow accordingly. The self-regulating valve compensates for conditions that affect melt pressure, such as an increase/decrease in melt viscosity, changes in melt temperature, and/or mold cavity size without the use of a processing device.

Abstract: A valve pin actuating device for a hot runner apparatus includes a yoke plate coupled to actuators. The actuators are generally disposed at the ends of the yoke plate and are configured to move the yoke plate in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the valve pins. A deflection distributor apparatus is coupled to the yoke plate. The deflection distributor apparatus is connected to a first force distributor plate, to which the valve pins are connected. The deflection distributor apparatus includes a second force distributor plate and a third force distributor plate. Rods are disposed between the yoke plate and the third force distributor plate, between the third force distributor plate and the second force distributor plate, and between the second force distributor plate and the first force distributor plate holding the valve pins.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a computer implemented injection molding configuring subsystem which enables a customer to interactively specify and design a system using a mix of parameters that the customer specifies and are manufacturing process determined. The configuring subsystem is connected to a computer network such as the Internet. The method and apparatus of the present invention further includes a computerized business and processing subsystem in communication with the configuring subsystem. The computerized business subsystem automatically provides a cost and schedule for a system configured by the configuring subsystem and additionally processes an order for the system. The processing subsystem automatically processes the customer's inputs and generates drawings for the configured system. Prior to receiving the customer's order, hot runner system components may be partially manufactured in a first phase and placed in inventory.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a first nozzle having a first nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with a manifold melt channel, and a second nozzle having a second nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with the first nozzle melt channel. A nozzle link is provided between the first nozzle and the second nozzle and includes a nozzle link melt passage for fluidly coupling the first nozzle melt channel and the second nozzle melt channel. The second nozzle includes a plurality of outwardly extending melt passages in fluid communication with the second nozzle melt channel. The outwardly extending melt passages deliver melt to a plurality of mold cavities through a plurality of respective gate seals and mold gates. A shut-off valve is disposed within a bore in the second nozzle. The bore intersects with one of the outwardly extending melt passages.

Abstract: A valve-gated nozzle for an injection molding machine includes an annular flow channel between downstream portions of a nozzle liner and a sealing and/or retaining device. The nozzle liner includes a first melt channel and one or more second melt channels for communicating a melt stream to the annular melt channel. The annular melt channel is formed between an inner surface of the downstream portion of the sealing and/or retaining device and an outer surface of the downstream portion of the nozzle liner. The annular melt channel may include a groove within at least one of the inner surface of the sealing/retaining device and the outer surface of the nozzle liner, such that the groove is in communication with an outlet of the second melt channel to thereby guide and/or blend the molten material within the annular melt channel to even and balance flow into a mold cavity.

Abstract: A bushing body has an upstream portion and a downstream portion for extending into a channel. The bushing body has a bore therethrough for receiving a valve pin. A contoured sleeve is fit around the downstream portion of the bushing body for guiding a flow of molding material. A cap piece is coupled to the upstream portion of the bushing body for contacting a back plate.

Abstract: A coinjection molding apparatus includes a manifold, a nozzle body coupled to the manifold, a sleeve disposed within the nozzle body and defining an outer melt channel between the sleeve and the nozzle body, a pin disposed within the sleeve and defining an inner melt channel between the pin and the sleeve, and a nozzle tip having an alignment portion contacting the sleeve. The sleeve is actuated to open and close melt communication of the outer melt channel and a cavity gate. The pin is actuated to open and close melt communication of the inner melt channel and an opening of the sleeve. The alignment portion aligns the sleeve with the cavity gate along the actuated range of the sleeve.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a first, rear-mounted nozzle that is coupled to a manifold for receiving a melt stream therefrom. A second, front-mounted nozzle is coupled to the first nozzle by a nozzle link that is provided between the first and second nozzles. A plurality of gate seals are coupled to a forward end of the second nozzle. The gate seals receive melt from a plurality of melt passages and deliver the melt to a plurality of mold cavities through respective gates. The second nozzle is slidably removable from the first nozzle via the nozzle link to facilitate repair or replacement of the gate seals.

Abstract: A nozzle has a valve pin for controlling flow of molding material through a nozzle melt passage. An actuator has a stationary part and a movable part. The actuator further has an extending rod connected to the movable part thereof and a block connected to the rod, the block being movable with the moveable part of the actuator. A pivoting linkage element is rotatably connected to the block of the actuator and is connected to the valve pin of the nozzle. The pivoting linkage element moves the valve pin in response to movement of the movable part of the actuator. A bracket is connected to the stationary part of the actuator. Two sensors are connected to the bracket for detecting different positions of the block. The sensors may be air proximity sensors.

Abstract: A valve pin bushing for a hot runner includes a bushing body having a hole therethrough for receiving a valve pin and a rearward surface for contacting a back plate. A thermally insulative component is coupled to a forward surface of the bushing body. The thermally insulative component is made of a nonmetallic material having a thermal conductivity lower than that of the bushing body.

Abstract: An injection molding hot-runner component comprising a tubular body defining a central passage and having an outer surface, an electrically insulated heater wire coupled to the tubular body, an external lead electrically connected to an end of the heater wire to form a connection, the external lead for connecting to an external power supply, and a terminal housing mounted to the outer surface of the tubular body, the connection of the external lead and the end of the heater wire being located within the terminal housing, wherein the connection extends in a plane that is generally parallel to tangential plane to the outer surface of the tubular body at the location of the connection.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus is disclosed that includes a valve-gated nozzle having a nozzle tip assembly and a valve pin slidably disposed therein. The nozzle tip assembly includes a nozzle liner having a first valve pin guiding portion, a valve pin guide having a second valve pin guiding portion upstream of the first valve pin guiding portion, and a transfer seal having a bore for receiving the nozzle liner and the valve pin guide therein. The transfer seal bore includes an alignment surface that surrounds the nozzle liner and the valve pin guide to align the first and second valve pin guiding portions with the mold gate, such that the valve pin is accurately aligned during operation. The transfer seal also includes means to couple the nozzle tip assembly to the nozzle body.

Abstract: An injection molding system and injection molding method for making molded parts that include one or more planar heaters having a thin or a thick film resistive heater element coupled, secured, or releaseably secured to one or more sides of each of the one or more injection molding nozzles. The releasably secure coupling allows heater device to be visually inspected, tested, removed, and/or replaced. The planar heater device can have a support device patterned with a film electrical resistive path. The electrical resistive path can include any pitch or number of electrical resistance lines, such that a longitudinal uniform heat profile is generated along a melt flow channel of the one or more injection molding nozzles when the nozzles are in use. In some examples, the planar heater has more than one film resistive heater element that can be coupled to one or each side of a nozzle, with dielectric material interposed between the planar film resistive heater elements.

Abstract: A nozzle system is provided for an injection molding machine. The nozzle system includes a nozzle tip that is removably connected to a nozzle body with a sealing and mounting sleeve element. The nozzle body includes a first connector for releasably connecting with a second connector defined on the sleeve. The sleeve element further includes an alignment bearing for engaging a bearing surface defined on the nozzle body for precisely locating the nozzle tip within the nozzle body along on a predetermined axis. Further embodiments of the invention provide a valve pin disposed in the nozzle body and nozzle tip. The valve pin includes a bearing surface for engaging a guiding surface defined on the second melt channel for aligning the end of the valve pin with a mold gate. Further embodiments also provide an integrally connected nozzle tip and sleeve element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing melt from a stagnation zone in a melt conduit extending from a melt source to a mold cavity is provided. The stagnation zone may be created by the presence of a valve pin in the melt conduit for controlling melt flow therethrough. The apparatus includes a stagnation zone cleaner that is moveable through the stagnation zone for urging melt out of the stagnation zone.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a heated inlet body and an unheated distribution branch. A melt channel of the inlet body receives a melt stream of moldable material and delivers the melt stream to a melt channel of the distribution branch. The distribution branch has a first end, which is coupled to the inlet body, and a second end, which is coupled to a nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle channel for receiving the melt stream from the distribution melt channel. The distribution branch is formed of a tube surrounded by a conductive sleeve. A mold cavity communicates with the nozzle channel and receives the melt stream from the nozzle channel through a mold gate.

Abstract: A nozzle for an injection molding apparatus includes a nozzle body having a first nozzle body segment, a second nozzle body segment and a third nozzle body segment. The second nozzle body segment is removably connected to at least one of the first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment. The first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment are heated either by first and second nozzle heaters, respectively, or by a heater sleeve having a cut-out along the length of the second nozzle body segment. The second nozzle body segment is substantially devoid of a nozzle heater such that the second nozzle body segment is heated passively through contact with the first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment.

Abstract: The invention provides an injection molding nozzle or nozzle segment having a recessed terminal or terminal housing such that the radial profile of the nozzle or nozzle segment is reduced. Components of the nozzle or nozzle segment and injection molding apparatus having the nozzle or nozzle segment are also part of the invention.