Abstract: A transducer for measuring the amount of lateral deflection taking place at the tip of a core-pin inside a mold or die cavity. Non-uniform cavity pressure and cooling patterns make core-pins prone to deflection resulting in out-of-tolerance thin and thick wall sections of the finished part. The transducer provides a means of determining deflection as it occurs during the molding process for statistical quality control. Real time measurement of the core deflection allows discrimination of unacceptable and reject parts for an automatic part sorting process. In the preferred embodiment a plurality of strain gauges mounted on the core-pin outside of the mold cavity provide real time electric signals of lateral deflection that can be used to automatically segregate reject parts and provide for statistical process control.

Abstract: A transducer for measuring the amount of lateral deflection taking place at the tip of a core-pin inside a mold or die cavity. Non-uniform cavity pressure and cooling patterns make core-pins prone to deflection resulting in out-of-tolerance thin and thick wall sections of the finished part. The transducer provides a means of determining deflection as it occurs during the molding process for statistical quality control. Real time measurement of the core deflection allows discrimination of unacceptable and reject parts for an automatic part sorting process. In the preferred embodiment a plurality of strain gauges mounted on the core-pin outside of the mold cavity provide real time electric signals of lateral deflection that can be used to automatically segregate reject parts and provide for statistical process control.

Abstract: A transducer for measuring the amount of lateral deflection taking place at the tip of a core-pin inside a mold or die cavity. Non-uniform cavity pressure and cooling patterns make core-pins prone to deflection resulting in out-of-tolerance thin and thick wall sections of the finished part. The transducer provides a means of determining deflection as it occurs during the molding process for statistical quality control. Real time measurement of the core deflection allows discrimination of unacceptable and reject parts for an automatic part sorting process. In the preferred embodiment a plurality of strain gauges mounted on the core-pin outside of the mold cavity provide real time electric signals of lateral deflection that can be used to automatically segregate reject parts and provide for statistical process control.

Abstract: A generally rectangular mold pressure sensor body contains an electro-mechanical sensing element designed to engage and be actuated by a mold ejector pin. The plastic body is generally rectangular in side view with appendages extending from either side of the body in plan view. The appendages engage pockets milled into channel sidewalls in the mold ejector plate. These appendages position the sensing element under the ejector pin, and retain the sensor body in the mold ejector plate. Extending from the forward end of the sensor body is a tongue of less thickness than the sensor body. The tongue may be removed to adjust the location of the sensing element relative to the end of the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for approximating the mold cavity pressure during injection of a liquid material by measuring the pressure exerted by the liquid against the ejector assembly. The ejector assembly includes an ejector sleeve and a support. A load sensor is positioned between the load and support to measure the pressure. Preferably, a force translation fixture is positioned between the ejector sleeve and the sensor. In a first alternative embodiment, the sensor is omitted and a strain gauges are mounted on the fixture to measure the elastic deformation of the fixture and approximate mold cavity pressure. In a second alternative embodiment, the strain gauges are mounted on a reduced diameter portion of the tubular wall of the ejector sleeve. In a third alternative embodiment, the base of the ejector sleeve is separated into two lobes connected to one another by two bending beams. Strain gauges mounted on the lobes and bending beams measure the elastic deformation of the flange to approximate pressure.