Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a base, a stationary platen fixed to the base for holding a first mold section, and a moving platen for holding a second mold section. The moving platen is slidably supported on a platen slide surface fixed to the base and moveable along a machine axis between a mold closed position, in which the moving platen is drawn towards the stationary platen, and a maximum daylight position, in which the moveable platen is spaced axially apart from the stationary platen by a platen opening. The machine further includes a carriage support structure slidably supporting a stack mold carriage for holding a mold center section. The stack mold carriage is translatable parallel to the machine axis between a carriage advanced position and a carriage retracted position spaced axially apart from the carriage advanced position by a carriage stroke length.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a base, a stationary platen fixed to the base for holding a first mold section, and a moving platen for holding a second mold section. The moving platen is slidably supported on a platen slide surface fixed to the base and moveable along a machine axis between a mold closed position, in which the moving platen is drawn towards the stationary platen, and a maximum daylight position, in which the moveable platen is spaced axially apart from the stationary platen by a platen opening. The machine further includes a carriage support structure slidably supporting a stack mold carriage for holding a mold center section. The stack mold carriage is translatable parallel to the machine axis between a carriage advanced position and a carriage retracted position spaced axially apart from the carriage advanced position by a carriage stroke length.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for an injection molding machine includes: (a) a cylinder housing having an inner end and an outer end spaced axially apart from the inner end; (b) a piston assembly comprising a tie bar end portion of a tie bar and a piston head affixed to the tie bar end portion, the piston assembly slidable within the housing between a meshing position and a clamped position spaced axially apart from the meshing position; (c) a clamp chamber between the piston head and the inner end of the cylinder housing for holding pressurized fluid and urging the piston assembly to the clamped position when pressurized; and (d) a spring return device adjacent the outer end of the cylinder housing, the spring return device pushing the piston assembly from the clamped position back to the meshing position when pressure in the clamp chamber is relieved.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for an injection molding machine includes: (a) a cylinder housing having an inner end and an outer end spaced axially apart from the inner end; (b) a piston assembly comprising a tie bar end portion of a tie bar and a piston head affixed to the tie bar end portion, the piston assembly slidable within the housing between a meshing position and a clamped position spaced axially apart from the meshing position; (c) a clamp chamber between the piston head and the inner end of the cylinder housing for holding pressurized fluid and urging the piston assembly to the clamped position when pressurized; and (d) a spring return device adjacent the outer end of the cylinder housing, the spring return device pushing the piston assembly from the clamped position back to the meshing position when pressure in the clamp chamber is relieved.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a machine base supporting a first platen and at least a second platen for supporting respective mold sections, and a part handling apparatus for manipulating parts associated with molded part production. The part handling apparatus includes an upright supporting an end-of-arm tooling and an adjustable mount adjustably coupling the upright to the machine base. The adjustable mount includes at least a first linear rail extending parallel to the machine axis and structurally integrated with, and fixed relative to, the machine base at an elevation below an uppermost extent of the platens. The adjustable mount further includes a carriage fixed to the upright, the carriage adjustably coupled to the first rail.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a base, a stationary platen fixed to the base for holding a first mold section, and a moving platen for holding a second mold section. The moving platen is slidably supported on a platen slide surface fixed to the base and moveable along a machine axis between a mold closed position, in which the moving platen is drawn towards the stationary platen, and a maximum daylight position, in which the moveable platen is spaced axially apart from the stationary platen by a platen opening. The machine further includes a carriage support structure slidably supporting a stack mold carriage for holding a mold center section. The stack mold carriage is translatable parallel to the machine axis between a carriage advanced position and a carriage retracted position spaced axially apart from the carriage advanced position by a carriage stroke length.

Abstract: A lock assembly for releasably coupling a platen to a tie bar of an injection molding machine includes first and second lock nut segments translatable in a transverse between locked and unlocked positions for respectively engaging and disengaging the tie bar, and a carrier assembly for coupling the lock nut segments to the platen. The carrier assembly provides a slide surface for slidably supporting the lock nut segments during the translation of the lock nut segments between the locked and unlocked positions, and the carrier assembly resiliently supports the slide surface for axial movement of the slide surface with the lock nut segments between an unloaded position in which the lock nut segments are spaced away from the platen by a clearance gap, and a loaded position in which the lock nut segments bear against the platen.

Abstract: A lock assembly for releasably coupling a platen to a tie bar of an injection molding machine includes first and second lock nut segments translatable in a transverse between locked and unlocked positions for respectively engaging and disengaging the tie bar, and a carrier assembly for coupling the lock nut segments to the platen. The carrier assembly provides a slide surface for slidably supporting the lock nut segments during the translation of the lock nut segments between the locked and unlocked positions, and the carrier assembly resiliently supports the slide surface for axial movement of the slide surface with the lock nut segments between an unloaded position in which the lock nut segments are spaced away from the platen by a clearance gap, and a loaded position in which the lock nut segments bear against the platen.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a machine base supporting a first platen and at least a second platen for supporting respective mold sections, and a part handling apparatus for manipulating parts associated with molded part production. The part handling apparatus includes an upright supporting an end-of-arm tooling and an adjustable mount adjustably coupling the upright to the machine base. The adjustable mount includes at least a first linear rail extending parallel to the machine axis and structurally integrated with, and fixed relative to, the machine base at an elevation below an uppermost extent of the platens. The adjustable mount further includes a carriage fixed to the upright, the carriage adjustably coupled to the first rail.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a base and an injection unit mounted to the base, and a first platen for holding a first mold section and a second platen for holding a second mold section. The first and second platens are supported by the base, and are movable along a machine axis between mold-open and mold-closed positions. At least a first tie bar engagement apparatus is associated with a first tie bar and includes a first bore in the first platen for receiving the respective tie bar therethrough at least when the platens are in the mold-closed position; and a first roller mounted to the first platen proximate the first bore. The first roller is rotatable about a first roller axis that is oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the machine axis.

Abstract: An injection unit includes a cylinder casing comprising an inner cylindrical surface extending along an axis, and a piston housed in the casing and translatable along the axis between an advanced and a retracted position. The piston includes a piston radial surface in facing relation to the inner cylindrical surface, and the piston radial surface has a measurement detection feature. A probe is fixed relative to the cylinder casing, the probe communicating with the measurement detection feature when the piston is in and moving between the advanced and retracted positions to measure the translation of the piston.

Abstract: A lock assembly for releasably coupling a platen to a tie bar of an injection molding machine includes first and second lock nut segments translatable in a transverse between locked and unlocked positions for respectively engaging and disengaging the tie bar, and a carrier assembly for coupling the lock nut segments to the platen. The carrier assembly provides a slide surface for slidably supporting the lock nut segments during the translation of the lock nut segments between the locked and unlocked positions, and the carrier assembly resiliently supports the slide surface for axial movement of the slide surface with the lock nut segments between an unloaded position in which the lock nut segments are spaced away from the platen by a clearance gap, and a loaded position in which the lock nut segments bear against the platen.

Abstract: An injection molding machine comprises: a machine base having a top surface, and a pair of platens supported on the top surface of the machine base, at least one of the platens translatable along a machine axis between open and closed positions. An end-effector is moveable relative to the machine base between an advanced position and a retracted position for interacting with parts associated with production in the injection molding machine. An upright has a lower end adjustably coupled to the machine base and an upper end spaced apart from the top surface of the machine base and coupled to the end-effector.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a base and an injection unit mounted to the base, and a first platen for holding a first mold section and a second platen for holding a second mold section. The first and second platens are supported by the base, and are movable along a machine axis between mold-open and mold-closed positions. At least a first tie bar engagement apparatus is associated with a first tie bar and includes a first bore in the first platen for receiving the respective tie bar therethrough at least when the platens are in the mold-closed position; and a first roller mounted to the first platen proximate the first bore. The first roller is rotatable about a first roller axis that is oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the machine axis.

Abstract: An injection molding machine can include a base, a stationary platen fixed to the base for holding a first mold section and a moving platen for holding a second mold section. The moving platen can be slidably supported on a platen slide surface fixed to the base. The injection molding machine can also include a stack mold carriage for holding a mold center section. An actuator can be coupled to the stack mold carriage for translating the stack mold carriage along the machine axis towards and away from the stationary platen, the actuator comprising a driven member coupled to a carriage connection portion. The carriage connection portion can transfer motion from the driven member to translation of the stack mold carriage. The carriage connection portion can be joined to the stack mold carriage at an elevation below the platen slide surface.

Abstract: An injection unit includes a cylinder casing comprising an inner cylindrical surface extending along an axis, and a piston housed in the casing and translatable along the axis between an advanced and a retracted position. The piston includes a piston radial surface in facing relation to the inner cylindrical surface, and the piston radial surface has a measurement detection feature. A probe is fixed relative to the cylinder casing, the probe communicating with the measurement detection feature when the piston is in and moving between the advanced and retracted positions to measure the translation of the piston.

Abstract: An injection molding machine comprises: a machine base having a top surface, and a pair of platens supported on the top surface of the machine base, at least one of the platens translatable along a machine axis between open and closed positions. An end-effector is moveable relative to the machine base between an advanced position and a retracted position for interacting with parts associated with production in the injection molding machine. An upright has a lower end adjustably coupled to the machine base and an upper end spaced apart from the top surface of the machine base and coupled to the end-effector.

Abstract: A dual-mode fluid powered actuator includes a cylinder housing having a cylinder axis, a first end and a second end spaced axially apart from the first end, and an inner surface extending between the first and second ends. A first fluid port is provided adjacent the first end of the cylinder housing and a second fluid port is provided adjacent the second end of the cylinder housing. A piston assembly is in the cylinder housing, the piston assembly slidable between the first and second ports. The piston assembly includes a first piston member and a second piston member, the first and second piston members translatable relative to each other between an engaged position in which the piston assembly isolates the first fluid port from the second fluid port, and a disengaged position in which the first and second fluid ports are in fluid communication with each other through the piston assembly.

Abstract: A locking device, releasably securing a tie bar to a platen, includes a housing with a bearing surface affixed to the platen coaxial with the tie bar, and a rotatable lock nut received in the housing and comprising: an inner bore with radial elements engaging the tie bar to transfer an axial clamp load to the lock nut, the elements defining an engagement portion along a lock nut first axial extent; an outer surface with at least a first step face abutting the bearing surface to transfer the axial damp load to the platen, the step face having a first radially outer extent; and a narrowing section having a second axial extent from a first position having a first diameter proximate the step face to a second position having a second lesser diameter spaced axially towards a second platen, the first diameter being less than the first radially outer extent.

Abstract: A method for injection molding comprises pre-positioning a clamp piston within a cylinder housing to a datum position axially intermediate a clamping position and an unclamped position, the clamp piston affixed to a tie bar, the clamp piston and cylinder housing cooperating to provide a clamp chamber and an unclamp chamber in a clamp cylinder housing on axially opposite sides of the clamp piston for urging the clamp piston towards the clamping and unclamped positions, respectively, when pressurized. Pre-positioning the clamp piston can include leaving a positioning gap between portions of a mold before releasably locking a tie bar to one of the moving or stationary platens, and then advancing the moving platen to substantially close the positioning gap after the releasable locking has been completed.