Abstract: An injection molding machine has a sorting device which is disposed under the injection mold and includes a swivel plate, which is pivotally movable by a motor-driven swivel drive to two mutually oppositely inclined positions for a delivery of usable moldings and for a delivery of rejects and sprues, respectively. In the position for a delivery of usable moldings, the delivery end of the swivel plate is disposed over an arrangement for receiving the usable moldings (belt conveyor). In the position for a delivery of rejects and sprues, the delivery end of the swivel plate is disposed over a disintegrator. The disintegrator includes a cutting mechanism, which constitutes a unit, which is removable out of the machine pedestal, and a motor-and-transmission block, which is disposed outside the vertical projection of the cutting mechanism. The sorting device is incorporated in a sorting unit, which is removable out of the machine pedestal.

Abstract: A clamping unit has a hydraulic actuating assembly including at least two locking cylinders provided with respective locking pistons, which are connected by piston rods to a movable mold carrier. Each locking cylinder contains a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber, which are adapted to communicate with each other through overflow passages formed in the associated locking piston. The overflow passages can be shut off by valve members. The hydraulic actuating assembly has an axis of symmetry, on which a drive cylinder and a buffer cylinder are centered. The drive cylinder serves to close and open the injection mold. The buffer cylinder is connected to the movable mold carrier and has a buffer chamber, which communicates with the low-pressure chambers of the locking cylinders. The locking cylinders and the buffer cylinder have steel tubes, which are connected at both ends to common cylinder covers to constitute a unit.

Abstract: An injection molding machine having a clamping unit and beams, which are disposed above the clamping unit and extend parallel and symmetrically to the vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry of the machine as far as to the rear end of the drive for the clamping unit. A pallet is provided, which is disposed over the drive and extends between the beams and has a supporting surface on which the moldings can be retained at predetermined locations, in which the moldings can be placed on the supporting surface by means of two carriages, which are horizontally movable in directions which are at right angles to each other. The carriages can be driven by flexible elements. Owing to such an arrangement, even delicate moldings can be removed from the injection molding machine, deposited and carried off quickly and in a gentle manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting moldings from an injection molding machine includes molding receptacles formed of stackable pallets, which are stackable to form stacks. A pallet tower includes an elevator, which is movable along vertical skeleton members. The stackable pallets are movable from stationary pallet tracks of a filling station disposed in the injection molding machine into the pallet tower and in the pallet tower can be coupled to a handling pallet, which is supported in the elevator, to form a load unit. By use of a transfer arrangement the load unit is adapted to be transferred to a transporting assembly for transporting the load unit along a linear path.

Abstract: In an injecting unit of an injection molding machine, a feeding unit is mounted on a feeding block and serves to feed the material to be processed through a shaft into a plasticizing cylinder. The feeding unit is mounted on a carrier, which is slidably mounted on a track rail so that the feeding unit can be emptied into an emptying passage. The track rail extends along and is symmetrical to the vertical line of symmetry of the injecting unit. Owing to that arrangement the injecting unit is substantially symmetrical and when the feeding unit is in emptying position its center of gravity is disposed in the vertical plane of symmetry of the injecting unit or is close to said plane. Besides, the feeding unit can be moved approximately in said plane of symmetry to its emptying position.

Abstract: An injection molding machine has a pedestal having front and rear vertical walls extending in a longitudinal direction and defining interior chambers, a mold carried by the pedestal, a clamping unit mounted on the pedestal and horizontally operable to open and close the mold, an injecting unit including a plasticizing cylinder and being mounted on the pedestal, two horizontal carrying bars, one being a front bar and the other being a rear bar, interconnected by crosspieces and supported by the pedestal, and a front protective covering carried by the pedestal and including a stationary protective carrier and two vertical protective doors. There are further provided stationary tracks mounted on the front bar and being adapted to guide the protective doors in the longitudinal direction of the injection molding machine. Further, track rails are mounted on each of the carrying bars and extending at least in part above the clamping unit.

Abstract: A carrier for the injecting unit of the injecting machine is adapted to be transferred to different operating positions for forming moldings having sprues in different arrangements. The frame is adapted to be driven by a control device, which has a screw drive and a displacement-measuring device and is adapted to be fixed in its operating positions. The control device has detachably been inserted into retaining openings of the injection molding machine by an axial installing movement in a direction which is transverse to the injection axis. As a result, the injection molding machine can be delivered by the manufacturer in different versions, inclusive of a more expensive version in which the transfer movement of the injecting unit to the various operating positions can be program-controlled, and a less expensive version, which does not permit of a program-control of the transfer movement. The machine can be converted from one version to the other with a minimum of work.

Abstract: A conveyor having an endless conveying belt, which includes a series of slats, which in the upper course of the belt constitute a conveying surface. The slats include sheet metal blanks and are supported on link chains. The slats are adapted to be manually removed from and to be inserted into the conveying belt. The link chains extend along opposite edges of the conveyor belt and mesh with chain sprockets, which constitute reversing pulleys. The design permits a rational series production and permits the use of the conveyor even for a delivery of very hot moldings made of plastics which have aggressive and/or abrasive properties. When slats or chain links have become soiled to such an extent that the function of the conveyor may adversely be affected or when defects have occurred, such parts can be replaced with a low expenditure of work and with a simple manipulation.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a main structure formed of a pedestal including a top cover, a mold clamping unit supported on the pedestal; and an injecting unit supported on the pedestal. The injection molding machine further includes a control cabinet situated in the rear zone of the main structure; an input unit situated in an operator's control zone of the main structure. The input unit includes a data display device and an input keyboard. A cable connects the input unit with the control cabinet. To a bracket arrangement on the pedestal there is pivotally mounted a swivel arm swingable in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis. The input unit is secured to the swivel arm at a top side thereof such that the data display device is approximately at eye-level height. The input unit has, dependent upon pivotal positions of the swivel arm, a working position situated externally of the area occupied by the main structure and a position of rest within such area.

Abstract: The drawing tool comprises a hydraulic element for deriving from the movement of the blank holder a simultaneous, oppositely directed movement of the drawing punch. The hydraulic element comprises a centrally disposed working piston, an annular piston, which surrounds that working piston, and a cylinder, which surrounds the annular piston. The working piston and the annular piston are adapted to be supplied with pressure fluid from first and second cylinder chambers which are hydraulically separated from each other and which are adapted to communicate with each other under the control of at least two alternative flow paths, which differ in hydraulic design so that they cause pressure changes on different pressure levels to be effected in the second cylinder chamber. A pressure detector detects the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder chambers and enables an alternative flow path in response to a rise of the pressure above a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A changing device for changing the plastic material to be supplied to a horizontal injecting unit of an injection molding machine comprises a traversing plate, which is movable by a strictly hydraulic traversing drive to a plurality of feed positions, in which respective port bores formed in the traversing plate register with a through bore that is formed in a guide bar on which the traversing plate is guided. As a result, the traversing plate can be moved with simple means by a strictly hydraulic drive to the desired positions without a need for additional controls.

Abstract: A plasticizing unit for an injection molding machine includes a carrier block; a plasticizing cylinder securable to the carrier block; an injection nozzle having a nozzle body connected to the front end of the plasticizing cylinder; a discharge outlet at the front end of the nozzle body; a valve needle cooperating withe the discharge outlet and having a closed position shutting off the discharge outlet and an open position allowing discharge of material from the plasticizing cylinder through the discharge outlet; force-transmitting linkage means being connected to the valve needle; and a power unit for displacing said force-transmitting linkage means and the valve needle into the open or power unit for displacing the valve needle into the open or closed position.

Abstract: The sorting means of the injection molding machine comprises a pivoted sorting plate, which is provided on opposite sides with sliding surfaces for separating unusable parts, such as rejects. By means of a motor-driven turning drive the sorting plate is pivotally movable between two mutually opposite inclined positions. The sorting means constitute a sorting unit, which is adapted to be inserted into and removed from the injection molding machine. A belt conveyor is associated with the sorting unit and also constitutes a unit which is adapted to be inserted into and removed from the injection molding machine. One sliding surface of the sorting plate terminates over the belt conveyor when the sorting plate is in one inclined position. The other sliding surface of the sorting plate terminates over a recycling space when the sorting plate is in its other inclined position.

Abstract: The plasticizing cylinder of an injection-molding device is adapted to be locked by a locking apparatus which comprises diametrically opposite sliders, which are guided on the carrying block of the injecting unit, which carrying block carries the plasticizing cylinder. The sliders are movable to a locking position, in which they are received by recesses of the plasticizing cylinder. The sliders are interconnected by hydraulic piston-cylinder units having cylinders proper, which are integrated in one of the sliders, and piston rods, which are connected to the other slider. The sliders are hydraulically movable out of their locking position and can be moved under spring force to their locking position. Alternatively, the sliders may be fully hydraulically operated. Such a locking apparatus can be manufactured in series at low cost. The locking appartus constitutes an operative unit, which is detachably mounted on the carrying block and can be replaced with a few manual operations.

Abstract: An injection molding machine has an injection molding unit shiftable parallel to itself into a selected working position, dependent upon the location of the injection opening of the mold closing unit. The latter includes a stationary mold carrier having parts defining guide grooves oriented transversely to the injection axis. The injection molding unit has hydraulic power cylinders arranged symmetrically to the injection axis. Each hydraulic power cylinder has a piston rod on which the injection molding unit is supported. Each piston rod has a coupling terminus received in a respective guide groove for guiding the respective piston rod therein during motion of the injection molding unit between working positions. The coupling terminus of each piston rod is prevented by the respective guide groove from moving in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the respective piston rod, whereby the piston rods are axially immobilized.

Abstract: The reinforcing skeleton for use in an injection molding machine comprises skeleton elements having tracks for engaging stationary rollers for guiding a plasticizing cylinder during cyclic axial reciprocating motions performed by the injecting unit during an injection molding sequence. The skeleton elements include track bars spaced from a central length portion of the plasticizing cylinder by radial spacers. One of the spacers has a plate secured to the track bars and to the plasticizing cylinder. Two centering spacers are connected to the track bars and surround the plasticizing cylinder as a sliding fit.

Abstract: An injection molding machine has a mold closing unit arranged on a machine bed and adapted to selectively receive a first type of mold assembly having a central injection opening or a second type of mold assembly having a non-central injection opening; a platform mounted on the machine bed; and an injection molding unit supported on the platform. The injection molding unit includes a carrier block; a plasticizing cylinder received in the carrier block and a feed screw received in the plasticizing cylinder. The injection molding unit is pivotal by a drive into a first working position in which the injection molding unit cooperates with a mold assembly of the first type or into a second working position in which the injection molding unit cooperates with a mold assembly of the second type. The platform has two parallel-spaced side plates which flank the carrier block.

Abstract: A plasticizing and injecting unit for use in an injection molding machine, having a carrier and supply block (10), which includes a pair of second bores (14), which are symmetrical with respect to the injection axis (s--s), and a pair of third bores (13), which are also symmetrical to the injection axis. The second bores contain respective advance-retract cylinders (A). The third bores contain respective injection cylinders (E). The advance-retract cylinders (A) are operable to axially advance and retract the plasticizing and injecting unit. The injection cylinders (E) are operable to inject molten plastic material into the injection mold. The second bores (14) are symmetrical to a first plane (f--f), which defines an angle (.alpha.) with a horizontal plane (h--h) extending through the injection axis (s--s). The third bores are symmetrical to a second plane (e--e), which includes a second angle (.beta.) with the horizontal plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for locking a horizontal plasticizing cylinder to the carrying block of the injecting unit of an injection molding machine having two cylinder-locking sliders which are disposed on opposite sides of the axis of said cylinder and are radially movable by means of hydraulic cylinders. In a locking position, the sliders extend in diametrically opposite recesses of the plasticizing cylinder. A shaft for driving the feed screw of the plasticizing unit has a coupling section which is formed with a radial guide groove, in which a screw-locking slider is radially displaceably mounted, the screw-locking slider being non-rotatably connected to the shaft. A coupling bridge is secured to the upper one of the cylinder-locking sliders. When the feed screw is in a desired angular position said coupling bridge is coupled to the screw-locking slider so that one cylinder-locking slider and the screw-locking slider are simultaneously moved to their locking positions.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator assembly for use in a mold clamping unit of an injection molding machine. The actuator assembly serves as a rapid-travel drive for mold opening and closing movements and as a source of elevated mold clamping pressure. Among the hydraulic elements contributing to the operation of the mold clamping unit are a power piston for effecting elevated mold clamping pressures and a drive piston for effecting rapid die closing movements. With the hydraulic actuator system of the present invention, it is possible to control the operation of the mold clamping unit based on two-sided hydraulic influencing of the power piston and the drive piston.