Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a computer implemented injection molding configuring subsystem which enables a customer to interactively specify and design a system using a mix of parameters that the customer specifies and are manufacturing process determined. The configuring subsystem is connected to a computer network such as the Internet. The method and apparatus of the present invention further includes a computerized business and processing subsystem in communication with the configuring subsystem. The computerized business subsystem automatically provides a cost and schedule for a system configured by the configuring subsystem and additionally processes an order for the system. The processing subsystem automatically processes the customer's inputs and generates drawings for the configured system. Prior to receiving the customer's order, hot runner system components may be partially manufactured in a first phase and placed in inventory.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a melt channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material from a source. A nozzle having a nozzle channel is coupled to the manifold for receiving the melt stream from the manifold melt channel. The nozzle includes a heater. A mold cavity is in communication with the nozzle channel, the mold cavity for receiving the melt stream from the nozzle channel through a mold gate. A temperature sensor is disposed at the manifold for use in adjusting the heater of the nozzle or for use in adjusting a heater of an inlet body.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a melt channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material from a source. A nozzle having a nozzle channel is coupled to the manifold for receiving the melt stream from the manifold melt channel. The nozzle includes a heater. A mold cavity is in communication with the nozzle channel, the mold cavity for receiving the melt stream from the nozzle channel through a mold gate. A temperature sensor is disposed at the manifold for use in adjusting the heater of the nozzle or for use in adjusting a heater of an inlet body.

Abstract: In a thermally gated hot runner nozzle or hot runner system, a thermal insert is in contact with and separable from a nozzle tip and is in contact with and separable from a nozzle body. The thermal insert is made of a material having a thermal conductivity different from thermal conductivity of the material of the nozzle tip.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a computer implemented injection molding configuring subsystem which enables a customer to interactively specify and design a system using a mix of parameters that the customer specifies and are manufacturing process determined. The configuring subsystem is connected to a computer network such as the Internet. The method and apparatus of the present invention further includes a computerized business and processing subsystem in communication with the configuring subsystem. The computerized business subsystem automatically provides a cost and schedule for a system configured by the configuring subsystem and additionally processes an order for the system. The processing subsystem automatically processes the customer's inputs and generates drawings for the configured system. Prior to receiving the customer's order, hot runner system components may be partially manufactured in a first phase and placed in inventory.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a computer implemented injection molding configuring subsystem which enables a customer to interactively specify and design a system using a mix of parameters that the customer specifies and are manufacturing process determined. The configuring subsystem is connected to a computer network such as the Internet. The method and apparatus of the present invention further includes a computerized business and processing subsystem in communication with the configuring subsystem. The computerized business subsystem automatically provides a cost and schedule for a system configured by the configuring subsystem and additionally processes an order for the system. The processing subsystem automatically processes the customer's inputs and generates drawings for the configured system. Prior to receiving the customer's order, hot runner system components may be partially manufactured in a first phase and placed in inventory.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a melt channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material from a source. A nozzle having a nozzle channel is coupled to the manifold for receiving the melt stream from the manifold melt channel. The nozzle includes a heater. A mold cavity is in communication with the nozzle channel, the mold cavity for receiving the melt stream from the nozzle channel through a mold gate. A temperature sensor is disposed at the manifold for use in adjusting the heater of the nozzle or for use in adjusting a heater of an inlet body.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a heated inlet body and an unheated distribution branch. A melt channel of the inlet body receives a melt stream of moldable material and delivers the melt stream to a melt channel of the distribution branch. The distribution branch has a first end, which is coupled to the inlet body, and a second end, which is coupled to a nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle channel for receiving the melt stream from the distribution melt channel. The distribution branch is formed of a tube surrounded by a conductive sleeve. A mold cavity communicates with the nozzle channel and receives the melt stream from the nozzle channel through a mold gate.

Abstract: A nozzle for an injection molding apparatus includes a nozzle body having a first nozzle body segment, a second nozzle body segment and a third nozzle body segment. The second nozzle body segment is removably connected to at least one of the first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment. The first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment are heated either by first and second nozzle heaters, respectively, or by a heater sleeve having a cut-out along the length of the second nozzle body segment. The second nozzle body segment is substantially devoid of a nozzle heater such that the second nozzle body segment is heated passively through contact with the first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment.

Abstract: In a thermally gated hot runner nozzle or hot runner system, a thermal insert is in contact with and separable from a nozzle tip and is in contact with and separable from a nozzle body. The thermal insert is made of a material having a thermal conductivity different from thermal conductivity of the material of the nozzle tip.

Abstract: An injection molding hot runner nozzle includes a nozzle body comprising a nozzle core, a nozzle tip, and a melt passage extending through the nozzle body for conveying melt from a manifold through the nozzle tip and to a gate of a mold cavity. A cylindrical sleeve is disposed around the nozzle body, the sleeve being slidably removable from the nozzle body. A wire heating element for heating melt in the melt passage is is spirally wound about the sleeve. A temperature sensor comprising a wire is spirally wound about the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically heated nozzle for injection molding which is insulated to prevent conduction of electricity and loss of thermal transmission to the casing, wherein at least a part of the electrical insulation comprises a layer of dielectric insulator material with an electrical resistance wire wound spirally thereabout and another dielectric insulator layer thereover. Also disclosed is a method for making such a nozzle which includes the steps of applying a first insulator layer, winding electrical resistance wire about the first insulator layer, applying a second insulator layer, and applying a casing layer thereover. The first and second insulating layers may be provided by spraying or through telescoping, self-supporting sleeves.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically heated nozzle for injection molding which is insulated to prevent conduction of electricity and loss of thermal transmission to the casing, wherein at least a part of the electrical insulation comprises a layer of dielectric insulator material with an electrical resistance wire wound spirally thereabout and another dielectric insulator layer thereover. Also disclosed is a method for making such a nozzle which includes the steps of applying a first insulator layer, winding electrical resistance wire about the first insulator layer, applying a second insulator layer, and applying a casing layer thereover. The first and second insulating layers may be provided by spraying or through telescoping, self-supporting sleeves.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a computer implemented injection molding configuring subsystem which enables a customer to interactively specify and design a system using a mix of parameters that the customer specifies and are manufacturing process determined. The configuring subsystem is connected to a computer network such as the Internet. The method and apparatus of the present invention further includes a computerized business and processing subsystem in communication with the configuring subsystem. The computerized business subsystem automatically provides a cost and schedule for a system configured by the configuring subsystem and additionally processes an order for the system. The processing subsystem automatically processes the customer's inputs and generates drawings for the configured system. Prior to receiving the customer's order, hot runner system components may be partially manufactured in a first phase and placed in inventory.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a nozzle body, a valve pin, a nozzle tip, a seal piece, and a mold gate insert. The nozzle body has a melt channel. The valve pin is at least partially positioned in the melt channel. The valve pin has a first guidance and alignment structure thereon. The nozzle tip is connected to the nozzle body. The seal piece is connected to the nozzle body. The mold gate insert defines a gate and is in contact with the seal piece. The nozzle tip has a higher thermal conductivity than the nozzle body. The seal piece has a lower thermal conductivity than the nozzle body. The mold gate insert has a higher thermal conductivity than the seal piece. The mold gate insert includes a second guidance and alignment structure thereon that contacts the first guidance and alignment structure before the valve pin contacts the gate.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a computer implemented injection molding configuring subsystem which enables a customer to interactively specify and design a system using a mix of parameters that the customer specifies and are manufacturing process determined. The configuring subsystem is connected to a computer network such as the Internet. The method and apparatus of the present invention further includes a computerized business and processing subsystem in communication with the configuring subsystem. The computerized business subsystem automatically provides a cost and schedule for a system configured by the configuring subsystem and additionally processes an order for the system. The processing subsystem automatically processes the customer's inputs and generates drawings for the configured system. Prior to receiving the customer's order, hot runner system components may be partially manufactured in a first phase and placed in inventory.

Abstract: An injection molding hot runner nozzle includes a nozzle body comprising a nozzle core, a nozzle tip, and a melt passage extending through the nozzle body for conveying melt from a manifold through the nozzle tip and to a gate of a mold cavity. A cylindrical sleeve is disposed around the nozzle body, the sleeve being slidably removable from the nozzle body. A wire heating element for heating melt in the melt passage is is spirally wound about the sleeve. A temperature sensor comprising a wire is spirally wound about the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nozzle for an injection molding machine. The nozzle includes a body defining a melt channel. A heater is connected to the nozzle body. A heat distributor is also connected to the nozzle body. The heat distributor is formed of a conductive material for distributing heat from the heater along the nozzle body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molten material processing device having an elongated thermal element like a heating element, a thermocouple, a sensor, a heatpipe and a cooling pipe which is characterized in that the elongated thermal element is located in a recess provided in a surface of the molten material processing device, the recess, including a first portion and a second portion, has a cross-section which is larger than a cross-section of the thermal element, so as to provide a clear space between the thermal element and the surface of the processing device, the clear space which is limited by the first portion and the thermal element is filled by a thermally sprayed material and the second portion, which is adapted to the cross-section of the thermal element, partially surrounds and directly contacts same.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a heated inlet body and an unheated distribution branch. A melt channel of the inlet body receives a melt stream of moldable material and delivers the melt stream to a melt channel of the distribution branch. The distribution branch has a first end, which is coupled to the inlet body, and a second end, which is coupled to a nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle channel for receiving the melt stream from the distribution melt channel. The distribution branch is formed of a tube surrounded by a conductive sleeve. A mold cavity communicates with the nozzle channel and receives the melt stream from the nozzle channel through a mold gate.