Abstract: Disclosed is a method of adjusting a motion profile of a shooting pot plunger for use in a molding system, the shooting pot plunger slidably movable within a shooting pot cavity, the method comprising: sensing a characteristic at a predetermined location in an injection circuit of the molding system; determining that the sensed characteristic is outside of a threshold range; adjusting the motion profile of the shooting pot plunger to account for determining that the sensed characteristic is outside of the threshold range; and storing the adjusted motion profile in a memory.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a gate and a related method of forming the gate, having structure and steps of providing a base of a first base material, the base having a gate area, adding a layer of a second material to the base in the gate area by an additive manufacturing process to form a metallurgical bond, wherein the second material has a characteristic that differentiates the second material from the first base material and modifying an inner surface in the gate area comprised of the second material to define the gate.

Abstract: The present application describes injection molding machines and, more particularly, a removable nozzle tip and nozzle assembly for use with an injection molding machine and an engagement tool and methods for replacing a nozzle tip. In an aspect, an injection molding machine may include a nozzle. The nozzle may include a nozzle housing and a nozzle tip threadably attached to the nozzle housing. At least a portion of an exterior wall of the nozzle housing and at least a portion of an exterior wall of the nozzle tip may align to provide a cylindrical surface. The injection molding machine may further include a tubular heater enclosing at least a portion of the continuous cylindrical surface. The nozzle tip does not include a torque feature in any location that is downstream of the tubular heater and upstream of a mold gate of the nozzle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a manifold for use in plastic injection molding, the method comprising additive manufacturing a melt distribution structure onto a manifold base plate, wherein the manifold base plate comprises a critical assembly feature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a gate and a related method of forming the gate, having structure and steps of providing a base of a first base material, the base having a gate area, adding a layer of a second material to the base in the gate area by an additive manufacturing process to form a metallurgical bond, wherein the second material has a characteristic that differentiates the second material from the first base material and modifying an inner surface in the gate area comprised of the second material to define the gate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of adjusting a motion profile of a shooting pot plunger for use in a molding system, the shooting pot plunger slidably movable within a shooting pot cavity, the method comprising: sensing a characteristic at a predetermined location in an injection circuit of the molding system; determining that the sensed characteristic is outside of a threshold range; adjusting the motion profile of the shooting pot plunger to account for determining that the sensed characteristic is outside of the threshold range; and storing the adjusted motion profile in a memory.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control system for and a method of filling a shooting pot cavity in a molding system, the method comprising: injecting resin from an injection unit to fill the shooting pot cavity; measuring a property of the resin at a predetermined location in the molding system; determining that the measured property is outside of a threshold range for the property, the threshold range being associated with the predetermined location; and selecting an operational parameter to adjust, the operational parameter associated with the measured property and the predetermined location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the closing speed of valve gated nozzles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hot runner have a valve gated nozzle including a valve stem movable between an open position and a closed position is provided. The valve stem is moved at a first speed for a first portion of valve stem closure and a second speed for a second end portion of the valve stem closure.

Abstract: A melt distribution device (100) including a heat-receiving part (102) and a heater (104). The heater (104) is coupled to the heat-receiving part (102) so to maintain thermal communication between the heater (104) and the heat-receiving part (102). The heater (104) is also coupled to the heat-receiving part (102) so to isolate, at least partially, the heater (104) from receiving stress and strain transmission from the heat-receiving part (102).

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the closing speed of valve gated nozzles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hot runner have a valve gated nozzle including a valve stem movable between an open position and a closed position is provided. The valve stem is moved at a first speed for a first portion of valve stem closure and a second speed for a second end portion of the valve stem closure.

Abstract: A melt distribution device (100) including a heat-receiving part (102) and a heater (104). The heater (104) is coupled to the heat-receiving part (102) so to maintain thermal communication between the heater (104) and the heat-receiving part (102). The heater (104) is also coupled to the heat-receiving part (102) so to isolate, at least partially, the heater (104) from receiving stress and strain transmission from the heat-receiving part (102).

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100) of a runner system (150), the mold-tool system (100) comprising: a manifold extension (102) being configured to couple with a manifold assembly (152) of the runner system (150); and a biasing assembly (106) extending from the manifold extension (102), the biasing assembly (106) being configured to arrange, in use, sealing contact between the manifold extension (102) and a nozzle assembly (156).

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100), comprising: a first movable-plate assembly (102) being configured to attach with a first valve-stem assembly (202) of a first runner assembly (200); a second movable-plate assembly (104) being configured to attach with a second valve-stem assembly (204) of a second runner assembly (201); and a plate-actuator assembly (106) being coupled with the first movable-plate assembly (102) and with the second movable-plate assembly (104), the plate-actuator assembly (106) being configured to move the first movable-plate assembly (102) and the second movable-plate assembly (104) in opposite directions between a valve-open position and a valve-closed position.

Abstract: A mold-tool assembly (100), comprising: a manifold assembly (102); and a constant-temperature heater assembly (99) being positioned relative to the manifold assembly (102), the constant-temperature heater assembly (99) being configured to convey, in use, a thermal-management fluid (109).

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100) of a runner system (150), the mold-tool system (100) comprising: a manifold extension (102) being configured to couple with a manifold assembly (152) of the runner system (150); and a biasing assembly (106) extending from the manifold extension (102), the biasing assembly (106) being configured to arrange, in use, sealing contact between the manifold extension (102) and a nozzle assembly (156).

Abstract: A mold-tool system is provided which includes a manifold body including an inlet assembly, a plurality of outlets spaced from the inlet assembly, and an uninterrupted melt channel associated with each outlet and extending between the inlet assembly and its associated outlets. Each melt channel may have a length which is substantially identical to the length of the other melt channels.

Abstract: A mold-tool system comprising: a manifold assembly, including: a manifold body defining: an inlet assembly; outlets being set apart from the inlet assembly; and uninterrupted melt channels extending between the inlet assembly and the outlets.

Abstract: A mold-tool system is provided which includes a manifold body including an inlet assembly, a plurality of outlets spaced from the inlet assembly, and an uninterrupted melt channel associated with each outlet and extending between the inlet assembly and its associated outlets. Each melt channel may have a length which is substantially identical to the length of the other melt channels.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is disclosed a hot runner system (100), comprising: a first surface (205) being elastically deformable; a second surface (210) forming, in cooperation with the first surface (205), a melt-leakage gap (215) being located between the first surface (205) and the second surface (210); and an active material (220) being: (i) coupled with the first surface (205), (ii) held normally stationary, (iii) configured to be operatively coupled with a signal source (225), and (iv) configured to elastically deform in response to receiving a signal from the signal source (225), upon elastic deformation of the active material (220), the first surface (205) becomes moved toward the second surface (210) such that a size (235) of the melt-leakage gap (215) becomes controlled.

Abstract: A mold-tool system comprising: a manifold assembly, including: a manifold body defining: an inlet assembly; outlets being set apart from the inlet assembly; and uninterrupted melt channels extending between the inlet assembly and the outlets.