Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an injection molding system has a nozzle adapter with one or more vent holes therein. A porous metal insert is provided in fluid communication with at least one of the vent holes. The porous metal insert is also in fluid communication with a flow channel through the nozzle assembly. As molten polymeric material advances through the flow channel from a barrel to a mold assembly, gases entrained in the molten polymeric material are vented through the porous metal insert and escape through the one or more vent holes. Pressurized air may be introduced through the vent holes, such as by one or more blow-back modules, to unclog pores of the one or more porous metal inserts between shots of the injection molding system.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an injection molding system has a nozzle adapter with one or more vent holes therein. A porous metal insert is provided in fluid communication with at least one of the vent holes. The porous metal insert is also in fluid communication with a flow channel through the nozzle assembly. As molten polymeric material advances through the flow channel from a barrel to a mold assembly, gases entrained in the molten polymeric material are vented through the porous metal insert and escape through the one or more vent holes. Pressurized air may be introduced through the vent holes, such as by one or more blow-back modules, to unclog pores of the one or more porous metal inserts between shots of the injection molding system.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an injection molding system has a nozzle adapter with one or more vent holes therein. A porous metal insert is provided in fluid communication with at least one of the vent holes. The porous metal insert is also in fluid communication with a flow channel through the nozzle assembly. As molten polymeric material advances through the flow channel from a barrel to a mold assembly, gases entrained in the molten polymeric material are vented through the porous metal insert and escape through the one or more vent holes. Pressurized air may be introduced through the vent holes, such as by one or more blow-back modules, to unclog pores of the one or more porous metal inserts between shots of the injection molding system.

Abstract: A feed system for an injection molding machine. The feed system includes a first part with a first channel, and a second part with a second channel. The first channel and the second channel together form a molten plastic feed conduit when they are engaged. The first part and the second part are unbonded to one another.

Abstract: A substantially constant pressure injection molding method and machine that forms molded parts by injecting molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity at a substantially constant pressure. As a result, the mold cavity is filled with molten thermoplastic material by advancing a continuous flow front of thermoplastic material from a gate to an end of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an injection molding system has a nozzle adapter with one or more vent holes therein. A porous metal insert is provided in fluid communication with at least one of the vent holes. The porous metal insert is also in fluid communication with a flow channel through the nozzle assembly. As molten polymeric material advances through the flow channel from a barrel to a mold assembly, gases entrained in the molten polymeric material are vented through the porous metal insert and escape through the one or more vent holes. Pressurized air may be introduced through the vent holes, such as by one or more blow-back modules, to unclog pores of the one or more porous metal inserts between shots of the injection molding system.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. The retrofit mold cycle has a maximum injection pressure that is less than a maximum injection pressure of the original mold cycle. The retrofit mold cycle can also have more constant injection pressures than the original mold cycle.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. When molding according to the retrofit mold cycle, the injection molding machine uses lower temperatures, when compared to molding according to the original mold cycle.

Abstract: A feed system for an injection molding method and machine includes a first part including a first channel, and a second part including a second channel, the first channel and the second channel forming a molten plastic feed conduit when the first part is located adjacent to the second part. A joint is formed between the first part and the second part along the first channel and the second channel and the joint is one of a sintered joint, a welded joint, and a brazed joint.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. When molding according to the retrofit mold cycle, the injection molding machine can obtain a faster cycle time.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects.

Abstract: A process of forming molded articles using an injection molding apparatus is provided. The process includes providing a thermoplastic material to the injection molding apparatus. The thermoplastic material is heated such that the thermoplastic material is in a molten state. The molten thermoplastic material is injected into at least one mold cavity of the injection molding apparatus using an injection element. Melt pressure of the thermoplastic material filling the at least one mold cavity is monitored using a sensor. The sensor provides a signal indicative of melt pressure to a controller. The controller controls introduction of a non-reactive additive to the thermoplastic material thereby changing a viscosity of the molten thermoplastic material based on the signal. A molded article is formed by reducing a mold temperature of the thermoplastic material within the at least one mold cavity.

Abstract: A process of forming molded articles using an injection molding apparatus is provided. The process includes providing a thermoplastic material to the injection molding apparatus. The thermoplastic material is heated such that the thermoplastic material is in a molten state. The molten thermoplastic material is injected into at least one mold cavity of the injection molding apparatus using an injection element. A melt pressure of the thermoplastic material filling the at least one mold cavity is monitored using a sensor. The sensor provides a signal indicative of melt pressure in the cavity to a controller. The controller controls the injection element thereby changing melt pressure of the thermoplastic material filling the at least one mold cavity based on the signal to reach a target cavity pressure. A molded article is formed by reducing a mold temperature of the thermoplastic material within the at least one mold cavity.

Abstract: A substantially constant pressure injection molding method and machine that forms molded parts by injecting molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity at a substantially constant pressure. As a result, the mold cavity is filled with molten thermoplastic material by advancing a continuous flow front of thermoplastic material from a gate to an end of the mold cavity.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. When molding according to the retrofit mold cycle, the injection molding machine can obtain a faster cycle time.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. When molding according to the retrofit mold cycle, the injection molding machine uses lower temperatures, when compared to molding according to the original mold cycle.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. The retrofit mold cycle has a maximum injection pressure that is less than a maximum injection pressure of the original mold cycle. The retrofit mold cycle can also have more constant injection pressures than the original mold cycle.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects.

Abstract: A feed system for an injection molding machine. The feed system includes a first part with a first channel, and a second part with a second channel. The first channel and the second channel together form a molten plastic feed conduit when they are engaged. The first part and the second part are unbonded to one another.