Abstract: A hot runner system having a nozzle received in a well in a mold plate. The nozzle has a melt channel, a nozzle body through which the melt channel extends, and a collar connected to and spaced apart from the nozzle body. A manifold is seated against the nozzle. The manifold has a melt channel in fluid communication between a source of moldable material and the nozzle channel. A bearing member against which a seating surface of the collar is supported is received in the well, and a biasing member is seated between a step in the well and the bearing member. The biasing member has plate loading surface and a nozzle loading surface. The nozzle loading surface and the plate loading surface are concentric with the seating surface of the collar and are circumferentially offset from the seating surface of the collar in opposite directions.

Abstract: A side-gate injection molding apparatus and a side-gate nozzle assembly are disclosed. The side-gate nozzle assembly delivers moldable material to a cavity insert that is beside the side-gate nozzle assembly. The side-gate nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body having a nozzle flow channel and a widthwise slot extending across a downstream side of the nozzle body. The nozzle flow channel has an outlet that ends at a wall of the slot. A load component is received in the slot and has a load component flow channel in fluid communication between the nozzle body outlet and an outlet at an end of the load component. A side-gate tip assembly is adjacent to the end of the load component and is in fluid communication between the load component flow channel and the cavity insert. In operation, thermal expansion of the load component presses the side-gate tip assembly towards the cavity insert.

Abstract: A hot runner system having a nozzle received in a well in a mold plate. The nozzle has a melt channel, a nozzle body through which the melt channel extends, and a collar connected to and spaced apart from the nozzle body. A manifold is seated against the nozzle. The manifold has a melt channel in fluid communication between a source of moldable material and the nozzle channel. A bearing member against which a seating surface of the collar is supported is received in the well, and a biasing member is seated between a step in the well and the bearing member. The biasing member has plate loading surface and a nozzle loading surface. The nozzle loading surface and the plate loading surface are concentric with the seating surface of the collar and are circumferentially offset from the seating surface of the collar in opposite directions.

Abstract: A side-gate injection molding apparatus and a side-gate nozzle assembly are disclosed. The side-gate nozzle assembly delivers moldable material to a cavity insert that is beside the side-gate nozzle assembly. The side-gate nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body having a nozzle flow channel and a widthwise slot extending across a downstream side of the nozzle body. The nozzle flow channel has an outlet that ends at a wall of the slot. A load component is received in the slot and has a load component flow channel in fluid communication between the nozzle body outlet and an outlet at an end of the load component. A side-gate tip assembly is adjacent to the end of the load component and is in fluid communication between the load component flow channel and the cavity insert. In operation, thermal expansion of the load component presses the side-gate tip assembly towards the cavity insert.

Abstract: A linear actuator for use in an injection molding apparatus is provided. The linear actuator comprises an electric motor including a drive shaft; an anti-rotation mechanism including a restrictor and a captive member, the captive member attached to the pin, the restrictor and the captive member arranged for translating a rotational motion of the drive shaft to a linear motion of the captive member, and by extension the pin, relative to the restrictor; and an adapter coupling the drive shaft with the captive member to enable the drive shaft to transmit the rotational motion of the drive shaft and to be readily decoupleable from the captive member without needing to separate the captive member from the pin.

Abstract: An edge-gated injection molding apparatus is disclosed for distributing a melt stream to a plurality of mold cavities aligned on opposing sides of an injection manifold assembly. The injection manifold assembly includes melt outlets aligned on opposing sides thereof with a nozzle seal in fluid communication with each melt outlet for transferring the melt stream to a corresponding mold cavity. A sliding relationship between each nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet while the nozzle seal is securely held relative to the mold gate permits misalignment between the nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet in the cold condition without causing stress on the nozzle seal. Under operating conditions, the sliding relationship permits subsequent alignment between the nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet. The nozzle seal has a two-piece gate seal with components thereof threadably coupled to each other such that relative rotation therebetween applies a sealing preload.

Abstract: An edge-gated injection molding apparatus is disclosed for distributing a melt stream to a plurality of mold cavities aligned on opposing sides of an injection manifold assembly. The injection manifold assembly includes melt outlets aligned on opposing sides thereof with a nozzle seal in fluid communication with each melt outlet for transferring the melt stream to a corresponding mold cavity. A sliding relationship between each nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet while the nozzle seal is securely held relative to the mold gate permits misalignment between the nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet in the cold condition without causing stress on the nozzle seal. Under operating conditions, the sliding relationship permits subsequent alignment between the nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet. The nozzle seal has a two-piece gate seal with components thereof threadably coupled to each other such that relative rotation therebetween applies a sealing preload.

Abstract: A method for taking a nozzle of a valve gated runner apparatus includes releasably attaching a valve pin to a movable part of an actuator for moving the valve pin between an open position and a closed position and detaching the valve pin from the actuator by moving the movable part of the actuator towards the open position when the valve pin is immobilized. The valve pin and the movable part valve pin may be releasably attached by a magnetic force. The step of detaching the valve pin from the actuator may be accomplished by overcoming the magnetic force. A valve pin plate can be provided for a plurality of valve pins to be releasably attached to the actuator.

Abstract: A method for taking a nozzle of a valve gated runner apparatus includes releasably attaching a valve pin to a movable part of an actuator for moving the valve pin between an open position and a closed position and detaching the valve pin from the actuator by moving the movable part of the actuator towards the open position when the valve pin is immobilized. The valve pin and the movable part valve pin may be releasably attached by a magnetic force. The step of detaching the valve pin from the actuator may be accomplished by overcoming the magnetic force. A valve pin plate can be provided for a plurality of valve pins to be releasably attached to the actuator.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling for an injection molding apparatus, such as a hot half or hot runner, includes a first magnetic part for connection to an actuator, a valve pin plate, or the like and a movable second magnetic part for connection to a valve pin. The first magnetic part and the second magnetic part are coupled by a magnetic force. The first magnetic part can be part of the actuator. The second magnetic part can be part of the valve pin. A valve pin plate can be provided for a plurality of valve pins.

Abstract: A valve pin bushing assembly for an injection molding apparatus. The assembly includes a bushing body for connection to a manifold, a flexible barrier having a first end that is continuously connected to the bushing body, and a valve pin continuously connected to a second end of the flexible barrier. The valve pin extends through a nozzle in a downstream direction towards a mold gate, wherein the valve pin is movable in an upstream direction and in the downstream direction for opening and closing the mold gate. The flexible barrier seals a channel of molding material from an outside space.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes an injection molding nozzle having a nozzle body defining a channel for flow of molding material and a nozzle tip coupled to the nozzle body. The nozzle tip is shaped to define a converging gap with a mold component into which the nozzle tip is inserted during use. A seal piece having a wedge or wedge-like portion is disposed between the nozzle tip and the mold component Pressure of molding material acting on a surface of the wedge portion wedges the wedge portion into the converging gap.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material and delivering the melt stream to a mold cavity through a nozzle channel of a nozzle and a mold gate. A heater is coupled to the manifold. The heater includes a heater plate that is formed by an extrusion process and at least one channel for receiving a heating element.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold melt channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material under pressure and at least one nozzle having a nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with the manifold melt channel. The nozzle has an opening that intersects with the nozzle melt channel, the opening having a central axis that is at an angle with respect to a central axis of the nozzle. A nozzle tip is coupled to the nozzle at one end of the opening. A valve pin bushing is coupled to the nozzle at an end of the opening opposite the nozzle tip. A valve pin extends through the opening. A primary actuator is connected to the valve pin. A nozzle locator piece is connected to the nozzle for mating with a side plate to locate the nozzle with respect to the mold gate.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material and delivering the melt stream to a mold cavity through a nozzle channel of a nozzle and a mold gate. A heater is coupled to the manifold. The heater includes a heater plate that is formed by an extrusion process and at least one channel for receiving a heating element.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes an injection molding nozzle having a nozzle body defining a channel for flow of molding material and a nozzle tip coupled to the nozzle body. The nozzle tip is shaped to define a converging gap with a mold component into which the nozzle tip is inserted during use. A seal piece having a wedge or wedge-like portion is disposed between the nozzle tip and the mold component Pressure of molding material acting on a surface of the wedge portion wedges the wedge portion into the converging gap.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling for an injection molding apparatus, such as a hot half or hot runner, includes a first magnetic part for connection to an actuator, a valve pin plate, or the like and a movable second magnetic part for connection to a valve pin. The first magnetic part and the second magnetic part are coupled by a magnetic force. The first magnetic part can be part of the actuator. The second magnetic part can be part of the valve pin. A valve pin plate can be provided for a plurality of valve pins.

Abstract: A valve pin bushing assembly for an injection molding apparatus. The assembly includes a bushing body for connection to a manifold, a flexible barrier having a first end that is continuously connected to the bushing body, and a valve pin continuously connected to a second end of the flexible barrier. The valve pin extends through a nozzle in a downstream direction towards a mold gate, wherein the valve pin is movable in an upstream direction and in the downstream direction for opening and closing the mold gate. The flexible barrier seals a channel of molding material from an outside space.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a back plate, a driven pulley connected to the back plate and rotatable with respect to the back plate, a screw connected to the driven pulley to rotate with the driven pulley, a motor having an attached drive pulley, a belt or chain coupling the driven pulley and the drive pulley, a valve pin plate, a nut connected to the valve pin plate and mated with the screw, at least one valve pin connected to the valve pin plate, a manifold fixed with respect to the back plate, and at least one nozzle connected to the manifold. The valve pin extends through the nozzle to control flow of molding material. The screw can be a ball screw and nut can be a ball nut. The screw can have one portion connected to the driven pulley and another portion connected to a mold plate in a rotatable manner.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling for an injection molding apparatus, such as a hot half or hot runner, includes a first magnetic part for connection to an actuator, a valve pin plate, or the like and a movable second magnetic part for connection to a valve pin. The first magnetic part and the second magnetic part are coupled by a magnetic force. The first magnetic part can be part of the actuator. The second magnetic part can be part of the valve pin. A valve pin plate can be provided for a plurality of valve pins.