Abstract: An assembly for measuring wear of a barrel and feedscrew combination, wherein the barrel has a longitudinally extending feedscrew disposed therein and a radially extending measuring aperture formed in a wall thereof, includes a measuring probe having a proximity detecting sensor, a barrel plug for removable insertion into the measuring aperture, and a measuring fixture. The barrel plug is configured to undergo wear in an axial direction thereof while inserted into the measuring aperture. The measuring probe and the barrel plug are installed into the measuring fixture for determining wear of the barrel plug in the axial direction thereof. The measuring probe is further configured for removable insertion into the measuring aperture for measuring wear of a flight of the feedscrew. A spacer and rotational tool cooperate with the measuring probe when installing the measuring probe in the measuring aperture.

Abstract: An assembly for measuring wear of a barrel and feedscrew combination, wherein the barrel has a longitudinally extending feedscrew disposed therein and a radially extending measuring aperture formed in a wall thereof, includes a measuring probe having a proximity detecting sensor, a barrel plug for removable insertion into the measuring aperture, and a measuring fixture. The barrel plug is configured to undergo wear in an axial direction thereof while inserted into the measuring aperture. The measuring probe and the barrel plug are installed into the measuring fixture for determining wear of the barrel plug in the axial direction thereof. The measuring probe is further configured for removable insertion into the measuring aperture for measuring wear of a flight of the feedscrew. A spacer and rotational tool cooperate with the measuring probe when installing the measuring probe in the measuring aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining wear of a feedscrew and barrel combination includes a measuring aperture formed in a wall of the barrel, a gage plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture and having an inner end curved to correspond to a curvature of a surface of the central bore surrounding an inner end of the measuring aperture, and a retaining plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture for maintaining the gage plug in place. When the plugs are removed, the gage plug can be measured for barrel wear and a probe can be inserted into the measuring aperture for determining feedscrew wear. A test bar simulating feedscrew wear is used to calibrate the probe.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining wear of a feedscrew and barrel combination includes a measuring aperture formed in a wall of the barrel, a gage plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture and having an inner end curved to correspond to a curvature of a surface of the central bore surrounding an inner end of the measuring aperture, and a retaining plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture for maintaining the gage plug in place. When the plugs are removed, the gage plug can be measured for barrel wear and a probe can be inserted into the measuring aperture for determining feedscrew wear. A test bar simulating feedscrew wear is used to calibrate the probe.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining wear of a feedscrew and barrel combination includes measuring wear of the barrel using a gage plug in a measuring aperture in the barrel or an ultrasonic thickness gauge and measuring feedscrew wear with an eddy current sensor or a dial indicator mounted in the measuring aperture. A system gathers wear data from various production installations, analyzes the data to predict remaining life of the barrel and the feedscrew and generates an order for replacement parts to be manufactured and shipped just prior to the end of the remaining life.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining wear of a feedscrew and barrel combination includes a measuring aperture formed in a wall of the barrel, a gage plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture and having an inner end curved to correspond to a curvature of a surface of the central bore surrounding an inner end of the measuring aperture, and a retaining plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture for maintaining the gage plug in place. When the plugs are removed, the gage plug can be measured for barrel wear and a probe can be inserted into the measuring aperture for determining feedscrew wear. A test bar simulating feedscrew wear is used to calibrate the probe.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining wear of a feedscrew and barrel combination includes measuring wear of the barrel using a gage plug in a measuring aperture in the barrel or an ultrasonic thickness gauge and measuring feedscrew wear with an eddy current sensor or a dial indicator mounted in the measuring aperture. A system gathers wear data from various production installations, analyzes the data to predict remaining life of the barrel and the feedscrew and generates an order for replacement parts to be manufactured and shipped just prior to the end of the remaining life.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining wear of a feedscrew and barrel combination includes a measuring aperture formed in a wall of the barrel, a gage plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture and having an inner end curved to correspond to a curvature of a surface of the central bore surrounding an inner end of the measuring aperture, and a retaining plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture for maintaining the gage plug in place. When the plugs are removed, the gage plug can be measured for barrel wear and a probe can be inserted into the measuring aperture for determining feedscrew wear. A test bar simulating feedscrew wear is used to calibrate the probe.

Abstract: A check valve for use in controlling the flow of thermoplastic material in an injection molding apparatus includes a valve body having an axially extending chamber formed therein with an inlet opening and an outlet opening through which the material can flow. An poppet is slidably movable in the chamber between a valve closed position and a selected valve open position. The poppet has an inlet end with a conical shape and the chamber has a complementary taper portion adjacent the inlet opening, the inlet end and the taper portion sealingly cooperating for preventing flow of material through said chamber when said poppet is in the valve closed position. An adjusting ring is positioned in the chamber for selective movement between a minimum open position and a maximum open position, the adjusting ring being externally threaded for threadably engaging an internal thread formed in the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for indicating wear or misalignment between a screw and barrel in a plastic material feeder includes forming an aperture in a side wall of the barrel and positioning a proximity detecting probe in the aperture. The probe generates a detection signal having a magnitude proportional to the distance between a selected reference point on the inner wall of the barrel and an outer edge of the flight as it rotates past. The detection signal is stored and displayed as a visual indication of the distance. The stored signal can be selectively reset and two or more probe detection signals can be selectively displayed.