Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method and system for managing compatibility of a plurality of devices within a work cell. A method for managing a compatibility of a plurality of devices within a work cell in a molding site, the plurality of devices including a first device and a second device, is provided. The method comprises receiving an indication of a first unique parameter from the first device and a second unique parameter from the second device; based upon the first unique parameter and the second unique parameter, determining a compatibility indicator, which is indicative of compatibility between the first device and the second device; and responsive to the compatibility indicator being indicative of incompatibility between the first device and the second device, generating a conflict resolution parameter for rendering the first device and the second device compatible.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention teach a method and system for determining an alternative configuration of a molding machine component and presenting such alternative configuration to a customer. For example, a method (300) for determining an alternative configuration for a customer configuration of a molding machine component is provided. The method (300) comprises: receiving (302) an indication of the customer configuration for at least a portion of the molding machine component from a customer (204); determining (304) an alternative configuration for at least a portion of the customer configuration; generating (306) a variance parameter, based on the customer configuration and the alternative configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention teach a method and system for determining a hot runner component configuration and presenting same to a customer. For example, a method (300) for determining a configuration of a hot runner component for use in a hot runner (100), the method (300) executable at a processing entity (212) associated with a vendor (206) of the hot runner component, the processing entity (212) being connectable over a communication network (208) to a customer computing apparatus (202) associated with a customer (204), is provided.

Abstract: A hot-runner assembly for injection molding equipment. The hot-runner assembly includes a front plate and a backing plate spaced from one another so as to define an inter-plate volume. The inter-plate volume contains one or more manifolds for conducting flowable material to a plurality of injection nozzles. The inter-plate volume also contains inter-plate support distributed between a first inter-plate support zone located immediately adjacent the manifold(s) and a second inter-plate support zone that makes up the balance of the inter-plate volume so that the first inter-plate support zone has a inter-plate support footprint density that is greater than the inter-plate support footprint density in the second inter-plate support zone.