Abstract: A mold assembly including a spacer positioned or disposed between a back-up plate and a cavity block, the mold assembly, and a method of coupling the back-up plate and the cavity block of the mold assembly using a fastener including the spacer substantially as described above, in order to provide spring-loaded self-adjusting alignment between mating mold inserts.

Abstract: A positioning device for aligning and guiding a first half and a second half of a mold together. The positioning device may comprise a housing including identical wall members configured to define a cavity. Each of the wall members comprise a tab, the tab defining a recess and a protrusion on opposed sides of the tab such that the protrusion and recess defined by the tab of one of the wall member is configured to interlock with the recess or protrusion of the tab of an adjacent wall member to connect adjacent wall members. A first member may be slidably disposed within the cavity of the housing, the first member defining a void. The positioning device may further comprise a second member comprising a base and a protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to matingly engage the void of the first member.

Abstract: A positioning device for aligning and guiding a first half and a second half of a mold together. The positioning device may comprise a housing including identical wall members configured to define a cavity. A first member may be slidably disposed within the cavity defined by the housing. The first member may comprise a base and a plurality of walls extending from said base, wherein the plurality of walls is configured to define a void with an opening opposite the base. The first member may further comprise a post extending from the base opposite the plurality of walls and a ring disposed radially about a portion of the post, wherein the ring is configured to retain the first member within the housing. The positioning device may further comprise a second member comprising a base and a protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to matingly engage the void of the member.

Abstract: A positioning device for aligning and guiding a first half and a second half of a mold together. The positioning device may comprise a housing including identical wall members configured to define a cavity. A first member may be slidably disposed within the cavity defined by the housing. The first member may comprise a base and a plurality of walls extending from said base, wherein the plurality of walls is configured to define a void with an opening opposite the base. The first member may further comprise a post extending from the base opposite the plurality of walls and a ring disposed radially about a portion of the post, wherein the ring is configured to retain the first member within the housing. The positioning device may further comprise a second member comprising a base and a protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to matingly engage the void of the member.

Abstract: A mold positioning system (10) for use in guiding and aligning mold segments (11, 13) includes a male member (12) having a tongue portion (14) on one mold segment that engages a female member (20) attached to the other mold segment when the mold assembly (8) is closed. The female and/or male member (20, 12) are configured to receive a replaceable insert (36) in the areas of the mold positioning system (10) that are subject to wear. The replaceable insert (36)is easily removable for replacement to increase the life of the male and female members (12, 20).

Abstract: A mold positioning system (10) for use in guiding and aligning mold segments (11, 13) includes a male member (12) having a tongue portion (14) on one mold segment that engages a female member (20) attached to the other mold segment when the mold assembly (8) is closed. The female and/or male member (20, 12) are configured to receive a replaceable insert (36) in the areas of the mold positioning system (10) that are subject to wear. The replaceable insert (36) is easily removable for replacement to increase the life of the male and female members (12, 20).