Abstract: An intelligent monitor system for monitoring an injection mold or stamping die includes sensors, logic and communication paths for improving usability and reliability during monitoring. In one aspect, a monitor can be configured to not only monitor a production cycle count and/or cycle time of an injection mold or stamping die, but also analyze operations of the injection mold or stamping die to adapt to the system. The monitor can analyze, for example, temperatures, pressures, vibrations, location, and/or flow control, among other things, at various points, with flexibility for adding additional monitoring on the fly, to adapt various functions, such as reporting frequency, communication method, power conservation, and the like. The monitor can utilize multiple radios for communicating with a data center, including but not limited to, via relays and/or gateways, to ensure reliable operation.

Abstract: An intelligent monitor system for monitoring an injection mold or stamping die includes sensors, logic and communication paths for improving usability and reliability during monitoring. In one aspect, a monitor can be configured to not only monitor a production cycle count and/or cycle time of an injection mold or stamping die, but also analyze operations of the injection mold or stamping die to adapt to the system. The monitor can analyze, for example, temperatures, pressures, vibrations, location, and/or flow control, among other things, at various points, with flexibility for adding additional monitoring on the fly, to adapt various functions, such as reporting frequency, communication method, power conservation, and the like. The monitor can utilize multiple radios for communicating with a data center, including but not limited to, via relays and/or gateways, to ensure reliable operation.

Abstract: A protective data holding vault that includes a module with onboard memory that can be configured as a drive, e.g. flash drive, attached to a machine or apparatus and which securely and protectively holds data associated with the machine or apparatus and a unique identifier thereof. The vault includes a casing with a receptacle in which the module is received and a cover that is sealingly attachable to the casing to cover the receptacle and protect the module in the receptacle. The vault is mounted in a pocket on the machine or apparatus, or a component therefor or thereof, and is linkable to a processor equipped device, such as via a USB link, enabling data stored on the vault to be retrieved and stored offboard providing secure data backup. In one system implementation, data synchronization can be performed to a remotely located storage device with bidirectional data transfer contemplated.

Abstract: A protective data holding vault that includes a module with onboard memory that can be configured as a drive, e.g. flash drive, attached to a machine or apparatus and which securely and protectively holds data associated with the machine or apparatus and a unique identifier thereof. The vault includes a casing with a receptacle in which the module is received and a cover that is sealingly attachable to the casing to cover the receptacle and protect the module in the receptacle. The vault is mounted in a pocket on the machine or apparatus, or a component therefor or thereof, and is linkable to a processor equipped device, such as via a USB link, enabling data stored on the vault to be retrieved and stored offboard providing secure data backup. In one system implementation, data synchronization can be performed to a remotely located storage device with bidirectional data transfer contemplated.

Abstract: A counting apparatus is disclosed, having a resettable counter, for counting the number of times a mold closes. The counting apparatus includes a body that is mountable to a mold block section, an electronic counting mechanism connected to the body, and a reset mechanism connected to the body that resets the counting mechanism to zero or some other settable number. Additionally, the counting mechanism includes a sensor, a triggering mechanism, and a counter display. The sensor detects when the mold has been closed and then communicates such with the triggering mechanism. The triggering mechanism then triggers the counter display to increase or decrease by the number of units associated with the closing of the mold.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed that is lockably attachable to the vertical driver of an electrical discharge machining apparatus. The tool includes a shaft having an insertion end and an electrode receptacle end. The shaft is lockably attachable to the chuck of the vertical driver. The electrode-receiving receptacle an electrode-receiving slot defined by a pair of spaced apart fixed walls, a floor, and a pair of spaced apart movable walls that function as vices to hold the electrodes in place within the receptacle. The floor of the receptacle may be planar and perpendicular with respect to the fixed and movable walls or may have a blank positioned thereon that defines an angular surface, a curved surface, or an irregular surface that conforms to the surface of the workpiece. The electrodes have indicia such as letters, numbers, or characters formed thereon. The tool finds particular application in etching printing plates.