Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically heated nozzle for injection molding which is insulated to prevent conduction of electricity and loss of thermal transmission to the casing, wherein at least a part of the electrical insulation comprises a layer of dielectric insulator material with an electrical resistance wire wound spirally thereabout and another dielectric insulator layer thereover. Also disclosed is a method for making such a nozzle which includes the steps of applying a first insulator layer, winding electrical resistance wire about the first insulator layer, applying a second insulator layer, and applying a casing layer thereover. The first and second insulating layers may be provided by spraying or through telescoping, self-supporting sleeves.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically heated nozzle for injection molding which is insulated to prevent conduction of electricity and loss of thermal transmission to the casing, wherein at least a part of the electrical insulation comprises a layer of dielectric insulator material with an electrical resistance wire wound spirally thereabout and another dielectric insulator layer thereover. Also disclosed is a method for making such a nozzle which includes the steps of applying a first insulator layer, winding electrical resistance wire about the first insulator layer, applying a second insulator layer, and applying a casing layer thereover. The first and second insulating layers may be provided by spraying or through telescoping, self-supporting sleeves.

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: A neuromuscular monitoring system comprises at least one neurostimulator to apply muscle-activating stimulation signals to a patient's body via at least one electrode, and at least one pressure waveform sensor to detect pressure waveform signals produced by a patient's muscle in response to the applied stimulation signals. The detected pressure waveform signals are processed and data related to these detected pressure waveform signals are displayed. A method for neuromuscular monitoring using pressure waveform sensors is also described.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold with a manifold melt channel, a nozzle with a nozzle channel and a valve pin with an outer surface in proximal to an inner surface of the nozzle channel. A valve pin melt channel is defined by and substantially coaxial to the valve pin. The valve pin melt channel communicates with the manifold melt channel when the valve pin is retracted and is restricted from the manifold melt channel when the valve pin is extended. A mold gate is open when the valve pin is retracted and is closed by a valve pin tip of the valve pin when the valve pin is extended. An outlet extends from a longitudinal portion of the valve pin melt channel to the surface of the valve pin adjacent to the valve pin tip and is in continuous communication with a well adjacent the mold gate.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a nozzle body, a valve pin, a nozzle tip, a seal piece, and a mold gate insert. The nozzle body has a melt channel. The valve pin is at least partially positioned in the melt channel. The valve pin has a first guidance and alignment structure thereon. The nozzle tip is connected to the nozzle body. The seal piece is connected to the nozzle body. The mold gate insert defines a gate and is in contact with the seal piece. The nozzle tip has a higher thermal conductivity than the nozzle body. The seal piece has a lower thermal conductivity than the nozzle body. The mold gate insert has a higher thermal conductivity than the seal piece. The mold gate insert includes a second guidance and alignment structure thereon that contacts the first guidance and alignment structure before the valve pin contacts the gate.

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: A nozzle system is provided comprising a nozzle tip supported in a nozzle body with an alignment member. The alignment member has a connection for engaging a corresponding connection located on the nozzle body. The alignment member also has an aperture concentric with the sleeve that has a tapered engagement surface for contacting a tapered engagement surface on the nozzle tip. A first melt channel is defined through the nozzle body and a second melt channel is defined through the nozzle tip. The melt channel in the nozzle tip has a first section that extends along a first axis from an inlet, a second section that extends from the first section at an incline and a third section that extends from the second section parallel to and eccentric with the first axis. The resulting melt channel defines a straight through channel parallel to said first axis from said inlet to said opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection molding apparatus including a mold block, a nozzle, a gating system and a slug heater. The mold block defines a mold cavity having a mold cavity inlet. The nozzle has a nozzle inlet. The nozzle inlet is fluidically connectable downstream from a melt source. The nozzle inlet is upstream from the mold cavity inlet. A melt flow passage extends from the nozzle inlet to the mold cavity inlet. The gating system includes a valve pin and an actuator. The valve pin is movable between an open position wherein melt flow is permitted into the mold cavity, and a closed position wherein the valve pin blocks the melt flow passage to prevent melt flow into the mold cavity. The actuator is operatively connected to the valve pin to move the valve pin between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An injection molding system is disclosed. The system includes a multiple valve gated nozzle. The flow through each valve gate is determined by individually operated valve pins. Each valve pin is independently controlled by a separate actuation unit. In order to achieve a tight pitch between the valve pins, the actuation units are placed in a stacked configuration, with the valve pin controlled by the upper actuation unit passing through the lower actuation unit. The valve pin of the lower actuation unit is offset from a center of the upper actuation unit to allow for the unimpeded passage of the valve pin from the upper actuation unit through the lower actuation unit.

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: An injection molding system includes a manifold and a valve gated hot runner nozzle. The gating mechanism includes an actuated valve pin, where the mold gate orifice is open when the valve pin is in a first position to allow melt to flow there through. The mold gate orifice is closed when the valve pin is in a second position to prevent melt from flowing there though. A flow control pin is disposed within the melt stream, either coaxially with the valve pin within the melt channel of the nozzle or within the manifold melt channel. The flow control pin has a head with a complementary geometry with that of the melt channel at a flow control surface. The flow control pin is raised and lowered by an actuation mechanism to constrict or release the flow of the melt stream independent from the movement of the valve pin.

Abstract: This invention teaches a hot runner injection molding apparatus for co-injecting at least two different materials into a mold cavity. A pin valve gated hot runner nozzle includes separate melt channels for each material and a melt chamber for accurately metering one of the materials. The melt chamber is in communication with an injection piston. The controlled movement of the valve pin and of the injection piston insures that the desired amount of a first and at least a second material is injected into the mold cavity. Depending of the composition and the processing window of the materials, the co-injection hot runner nozzle is in communication with either a single or multiple manifolds.

Abstract: A seal is provided between a nozzle and a manifold. The seal provides a melt channel between an outlet of the manifold and a nozzle channel. The seal has higher thermal expansion coefficient than both the nozzle and the manifold to provide an improved seal between the manifold and the nozzle when the injection molding apparatus is at an operating temperature.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an injection molding apparatus, comprising a manifold including a plurality of manifold channels and a plurality of nozzles. Each of the nozzles defines a nozzle channel in fluid communication with one of the manifold channels and including a plurality of nozzle bodies coupled in tandem by a removable and secure connection. The nozzle bodies include at least a upstream nozzle body and a downstream nozzle body. The upstream nozzle body has an upstream end adjacent said manifold channel, and the downstream nozzle body has a downstream end adjacent a mold plate. A removable nozzle tip is retained in a downstream end of each downstream nozzle body. The nozzles also include a plurality of heaters, wherein at least one heater is embedded into each nozzle body.

Abstract: An injection molding hot runner nozzle includes a nozzle body comprising a nozzle core, a nozzle tip, and a melt passage extending through the nozzle body for conveying melt from a manifold through the nozzle tip and to a gate of a mold cavity. A cylindrical sleeve is disposed around the nozzle body, the sleeve being slidably removable from the nozzle body. A wire heating element for heating melt in the melt passage is is spirally wound about the sleeve. A temperature sensor comprising a wire is spirally wound about the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nozzle for an injection molding machine. The nozzle includes a body defining a melt channel. A heater is connected to the nozzle body. A heat distributor is also connected to the nozzle body. The heat distributor is formed of a conductive material for distributing heat from the heater along the nozzle body.

Abstract: A nozzle for an injection molding apparatus is provided. The injection molding apparatus includes a manifold and a mold component. The manifold has at least one runner therein that is downstream from a melt source. The mold component defines at least one mold cavity and defining a gate into each mold cavity. The gate defines an axis. The mold component has a mold component alignment surface thereon. The nozzle includes a nozzle body, a tip, a tip surrounding piece and an alignment piece. The nozzle body defines a nozzle body melt passage, which is adapted to be in fluid communication and downstream from the at least one runner. The tip is removably connected to the nozzle body. The tip defines a tip melt passage therethrough. The tip melt passage is downstream from and in fluid communication with the nozzle body melt passage, and is upstream from and in fluid communication with the gate. The tip surrounding piece is removably connected with respect to the nozzle body.

Abstract: An injection molding nozzle with a tip portion in the gate area of the mold that has a wear-resistant diamond-type coating. The surface of the tip melt channel that delivers melt to the gate area may also comprise a diamond-type coating. Nozzle seal surfaces in the gate area may also comprise a diamond-type coating. The enhanced harness, smoothness and thermal conductivity of these coated surfaces results in higher quality molded parts, and easier to clean molding equipment that has a longer service life.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment device for a valve pin on an injection molding machine, and particularly on a multi-cavity machine, having a plurality of valve pins mounted on a common yoke plate which is actuated by a common actuator. The adjustment device includes a pin holder for holding the valve pin, and a locking member. The pin holder has two threaded portions. The first threaded portion is adjustable within a threaded receiving hole in the yoke plate. The second threaded portion is received by the locking member. The locking member has a bottom shoulder which butts against the yoke plate, and retains the pin holder in place.