Abstract: An injection molding machine having a side-injection sub-assembly and a method for providing access to a hot passage distributor system therein. The injection molding machine includes a side-injection sub-assembly having an injection mold part and the hot passage distributor system. The hot passage distributor system is sandwiched between the injection mold part and a head plate by two or more bolt members, which attach the injection mold part to the head plate and are accessible from a side of the injection mold part. The injection molding machine further includes an ejection mold part for releasably mating to the injection mold part and defining a mold cavity.

Abstract: A rubber injection molding apparatus and method for simultaneously molding a plurality of work parts (40) in separate molds (30) using a single, vertically oriented press machine (22). A clamping mechanism (52) is responsive to the vertical, reciprocating motion of the press ram (26) for converting the generally vertical motion of the press ram (26) into a horizontal clamping force to squeeze and hold the molds while rubber is injected into their cavities (38). The molds (30) each have two mold halves (32, 34) joining one another along a parting line interface (36) with the mold cavity (38) in between. The mold halves (32, 34) are received in universal carriers (62), which in turn are suspended between and slideable along spaced-apart first (58) and second (60) rails. A large number of mold cavities (38) can be filled simultaneously using a vertically oriented press machine (22).

Abstract: A movable platen (4) capable of advance and retraction with respect to a fixed plate is provided with a tie bar connecting device (12) for meshing a split nut (18) with the multiple groove portion (16) of a tie bar (10), and a mold clamping cylinder (20) operable with the split nut (18) serving as a reaction force point. The mold clamping cylinder (20) comprises a primary piston (22) contacting the split nut (18) and a secondary piston (24) movable relative to the primary piston (22). It is arranged that the movable platen (4) is stopped just before the position at which the movable mold contacts the fixed mold, and in this state the split nut (18) is reliably meshed with the multiple groove portion (16). Thereafter, the secondary piston (24) and primary piston (22) are moved integrally with respect to the movable platen (4) so as to effect mold contacting and mold clamping. After molding, the secondary piston (24) and the primary piston (22) are relatively moved to effect mold release.