Abstract: A method of operating an electro-permanent magnet may include switching the electro-permanent magnet from an on state wherein magnetic fields of switching and permanent magnets combine to generate a first magnetic field having a first magnitude and a first polarity to a reversed state having a second polarity wherein magnetic fields of the switching magnets and the permanent magnets combine to generate a second magnetic field having a second magnitude less than the first magnitude and a second polarity different than the first polarity. The electro-permanent magnet may be switched from the reversed state to an off state wherein magnetic fields of the switching and permanent magnets combine to generate a third magnetic field having a magnitude that is no more than 50 percent of the second magnitude. Related electro-permanent magnets are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of operating an electro-permanent magnet may include switching the electro-permanent magnet from an on state wherein magnetic fields of switching and permanent magnets combine to generate a first magnetic field having a first magnitude and a first polarity to a reversed state having a second polarity wherein magnetic fields of the switching magnets and the permanent magnets combine to generate a second magnetic field having a second magnitude less than the first magnitude and a second polarity different than the first polarity. The electro-permanent magnet may be switched from the reversed state to an off state wherein magnetic fields of the switching and permanent magnets combine to generate a third magnetic field having a magnitude that is no more than 50 percent of the second magnitude. Related electro-permanent magnets are also discussed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mold module from a set of substantially structurally independent mold modules of at least one of a first mold assembly or a second mold assembly. The first mold assembly and the second mold assembly for accepting, in use, a plurality of first mold inserts and second mold inserts, respectively, to define, in use, a plurality of substantially identical molding cavities therebetween. A subset of at least one of the first mold inserts or the second mold inserts being accepted in the mold module.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a melt distribution apparatus for a molding system having a geometrically balanced network of runners for distributing a melt of molding material from a melt inlet to a rectangular array of melt outlets having a first number of melt outlets in a first reference direction and a second number of melt outlets in a second reference direction, at least one of the first and the second number being an odd number in excess of three.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stationary platen of a mold clamp for use with a molding system. The stationary platen includes a platen base configured to accept a first mold assembly of a mold, the platen base also defines a receptacle for embedding, in use, a bridge runner system. The bridge runner system is configured to fluidly connect, at least in part, a source of molding material with a molding cavity defined, at least in part, by a mold insert accepted in the first mold assembly.