Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flexible cam system for reducing the likelihood of damage and/or premature wear to components of a mold during use. The flexible cam system accommodates poor coordination between components of an injection molding system during movement of the components. The flexible cam system may include a cam and a cam follower. At least one of the cam and cam follower includes a support structure and an engagement member supported by the support structure. The engagement member defines an engagement surface and includes a compliance member that is operatively connected to at least a portion of the engagement surface to accommodate a force on the engagement surface by the other of the cam and cam follower.

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: 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.