Abstract: A molding system having a melt pathway configured to convey a molding material. The molding system includes a viscous-drag sensor having: (i) a pathway blockage, and (ii) an actuator. The viscous-drag sensor is interactable with the molding material. The pathway blockage is movable along the melt pathway. The pathway blockage is movable along a first direction to further open the melt pathway. The pathway blockage is movable along a second direction to further close the melt pathway. The actuator is coupled with the pathway blockage. The actuator biases the pathway blockage to vary the melt pathway while the molding material drags along and moves the pathway blockage. Responsive to the pathway blockage sensing viscous-drag force, the pathway blocks acts to: (i) further open the melt pathway if a viscosity of the molding material is high, and (ii) further close the melt pathway if the viscosity of the molding material is low.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the quality of molded parts in a molding system having a valve stem and a valve gate. The valve stem is movable between a fully retracted position where the gate is fully open to a fully forward position where the gate is fully closed and into an intermediate position where the gate remains closed but the valve stem is displaced from the gate so heat transfer through the valve stem and into the gate region is minimized.

Abstract: Disclosed is (i) a molding system, including a viscous-drag sensor interactable with a molding material flowable along a melt pathway and/or (ii) a method of a molding-system, amongst other things.

Abstract: Disclosed, amongst other things, is a method, molding machine, and computer-readable product for post-mold cooling a molded article (2), comprising balancing cooling rates between portions (2?, 2?, 2??) of the molded article (2).

Abstract: Disclosed, amongst other things, is: (i) a mold-cooling device; (ii) a molding system having a mold-cooling device; (iii) a mold assembly having a mold-cooling device; (iv) a molded article made by a molding system in cooperation with a mold assembly and with a mold-cooling device; and (v) a method of a mold-cooling device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compressing melt and/or compensating for melt shrinkage in an injection mold are provided. The apparatus includes a cavity mold portion adjacent a cavity plate, a core mold portion adjacent a core plate, a mold cavity formed between the mold portions, and at least one piezoceramic actuator disposed between either or both of the core plate and the core mold portion and the cavity plate and the cavity mold portion. A controller may be connected to the at least one piezoceramic actuator to activate it, thereby causing the mold cavity volume to decrease, compressing the melt.

Abstract: A cooling circuit for a neck ring of a preform is conformed to the surface of the neck ring by providing a neck ring in two parts. The first part supports the neck ring and provides strength and durability to the neck ring insert. The second part is formed of porous steel impregnated with highly thermally conductive metal and includes a cooling channel that provides substantially uniform cooling around the neck ring of the preform.

Abstract: An improved injection molding apparatus for a mold using a valve-gated nozzle that includes a replaceable insert with a bore for aligning and sealing with the valve stem. The replaceable insert is advantageously provided as a wear component in a gate insert.

Abstract: A cooling circuit for a neck ring of a preform is conformed to the surface of the neck ring by providing a neck ring in two parts. The first part supports the neck ring and provides strength and durability to the neck ring insert. The second part is formed of porous steel impregnated with highly thermally conductive metal and includes a cooling channel that provides substantially uniform cooling around the neck ring of the preform.

Abstract: An injection-molding machine cooling tube, which cools molded plastic parts, includes a porous cooling tube having an outer surface and an inner surface. Preferably, the porous cooling tube has a porosity in the range of 3-20 microns. A cooling fluid passageway is preferably disposed adjacent the porous cooling tube outer surface and is configured to carry a cooling fluid to extract heat from the porous cooling tube. Fluid flow structure, preferably a vacuum, is configured to cause a molded plastic part inside the porous cooling tube to expand into contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the porous cooling tube.

Abstract: An injection-molded plastic part cooling tube has an extruded cylindrically shaped tube with an inside surface and an outside surface. An extruded cooling channel is disposed inside the cylindrically shaped tube, between the inside surface and the outside surface. A method for forming an injection-molded-plastic-part cooling tube includes the step of extruding a hollow aluminum tube having an inside surface, an outside surface, and at least one cooling channel in the hollow aluminum tube between the inside surface and the outside surface. Alternative cooling tubes include a tubular porous insert for vacuum forming molded articles.

Abstract: An injection-molding machine cooling tube, which cools molded plastic parts, includes a porous cooling tube having an outer surface and an inner surface. Preferably, the porous cooling tube has a porosity in the range of 3-20 microns. A cooling fluid passageway is preferably disposed adjacent the porous cooling tube outer surface and is configured to carry a cooling fluid to extract heat from the porous cooling tube. Fluid flow structure, preferably a vacuum, is configured to cause a molded plastic part inside the porous cooling tube to expand into contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the porous cooling tube.

Abstract: An injection-molding machine cooling tube, which cools molded plastic parts, includes a porous cooling tube having an outer surface and an inner surface. Preferably, the porous cooling tube has a porosity in the range of 3-20 microns. A cooling fluid passageway is preferably disposed adjacent the porous cooling tube outer surface and is configured to carry a cooling fluid to extract heat from the porous cooling tube. Fluid flow structure, preferably a vacuum, is configured to cause a molded plastic part inside the porous cooling tube to expand into contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the porous cooling tube.

Abstract: An injection-molding machine cooling tube, which cools molded plastic parts, includes a porous cooling tube having an outer surface and an inner surface. Preferably, the porous cooling tube has a porosity in the range of 3-20 microns. A cooling fluid passageway is preferably disposed adjacent the porous cooling tube outer surface and is configured to carry a cooling fluid to extract heat from the porous cooling tube. Fluid flow structure, preferably a vacuum, is configured to cause a molded plastic part inside the porous cooling tube to expand into contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the porous cooling tube.

Abstract: An injection-molded plastic part cooling tube has an extruded cylindrically shaped tube with an inside surface and an outside surface. An extruded cooling channel is disposed inside the cylindrically shaped tube, between the inside surface and the outside surface. A method for forming an injection-molded-plastic-part cooling tube includes the step of extruding a hollow aluminum tube having an inside surface, an outside surface, and at least one cooling channel in the hollow aluminum tube between the inside surface and the outside surface. Alternative cooling tubes include a tubular porous insert for vacuum forming molded articles.

Abstract: An improved injection molding apparatus for a mold using a valve-gated nozzle that includes a replaceable insert with a bore for aligning and sealing with the valve stem. The replaceable insert is advantageously provided as a wear component in a gate insert.

Abstract: An injection molding system having an improved valve gate arrangement that provides molded articles with improved vestige and or surface quality.