Abstract: A material delivery device includes: a plasticization unit having a screw and configured to plasticize a material by rotation of the screw to produce a plasticized material; a flow path through which the plasticized material flows; a nozzle having a nozzle opening that communicates with the flow path and delivers the plasticized material to an outside; a cylinder coupled to the flow path; a rod inserted into the cylinder; and a first pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure of the plasticized material in the flow path via the rod. In a longitudinal direction of the rod, the rod has a rod end surface facing the flow path and a transmission unit at an opposite side of the rod end surface, and transmits a force due to the pressure received at the rod end surface to the first pressure detection unit via the transmission unit.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for dispensing filament adhesive onto a target substrate. A filament adhesive is applied on a target substrate according to a bead application plan, then the applied bead is checked against performance criteria. A second bead application plan is generated, and subsequent filament bead applied according to the second bead application plan.

Abstract: A material delivery device includes: a plasticization unit having a screw and configured to plasticize a material by rotation of the screw to produce a plasticized material; a flow path through which the plasticized material flows; a nozzle having a nozzle opening that communicates with the flow path and delivers the plasticized material to an outside; a cylinder coupled to the flow path; a rod inserted into the cylinder; and a first pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure of the plasticized material in the flow path via the rod. In a longitudinal direction of the rod, the rod has a rod end surface facing the flow path and a transmission unit at an opposite side of the rod end surface, and transmits a force due to the pressure received at the rod end surface to the first pressure detection unit via the transmission unit.

Abstract: Ways for simultaneously forming and filling a container with a product are provided that include a mold cavity, a two-stage injection unit, and a blow nozzle. The mold cavity defines an internal surface and is configured to accept a preform. The two-stage injection unit receives and dispenses the product where a first stage includes an extruder and a second stage includes an accumulator. The extruder imparts mechanical energy to the product to reduce a viscosity of the product and transfers the reduced-viscosity product to the accumulator. The accumulator receives the reduced-viscosity product from the extruder and dispenses a charge of the reduced-viscosity product. The blow nozzle transfers the charge of the reduced-viscosity product dispensed from the accumulator into the preform to urge the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and form a resultant container.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and apparatus for manufacturing a microtablet from a precursor material such as a pharmaceutical powder. Various embodiments provide a method which includes compressing the powder to form a compressed mass of a selected density and repeatedly compacting the compressed mass to increase the density of the compressed mass and form a microtablet. Related methods and apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A molded product take-out apparatus includes: a controller independent of a molding machine; a take-out robot for releases a molded product from a mold in the molding machine by a command from the controller; a temperature controller regulates the temperature of the mold; a material dryer dries material to be supplied to the molding machine; and a material conveyor supplies the dried material to the molding machine. The controller is network-connected to the take-out robot and the temperature controller and the material dryer and the material conveyor. The controller is configured to control a release operation of the take-out robot to differentiate a release place between when judging that a detection data to be within an allowable range and another case.

Abstract: In order to improve the consistency of molded products as viscosity shifts throughout a run, a controller of an injection molding machine executes a calibration cycle in accordance with a mold cycle. The controller analyzes a plurality of sensed melt pressure values during the calibration cycle to determine one or more calibration metrics. The controller then uses the calibration metrics when executing each mold cycle of the run. More particularly, during each mold cycle of the run, the controller detects a plurality of sensed melt pressures prior to and during a fill phase of the mold cycle and compares the plurality of sensed melt pressures to the one or more calibration metrics to predict cavity pressure for a pack and hold phase of the mold cycle. The controller then adjusts a set point pressure for the pack and hold phase based on the predicted cavity pressure.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional preform from an intermediate preform blank (30, 70), which contain undulations (31) in a portion thereof. The preform blank (30, 79) may be formed on a tool surface (60) containing undulations (61) using an automated placement method such as Automated Tape Laying (ATL) or Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), in which narrow-width strips of material are dispensed side-by-side. Various preform blanks (30, 70) and molding tools (10, 50, 80) have been designed to produce shaped preforms having generally C-shape and Z-shape cross-sections.

Abstract: A system for making blocks for gravity energy storage includes an extrusion press machine with a receiving chamber for receiving raw material, a compaction chamber and a pressing wall driven by a piston to push the raw material into the compaction chamber to compact the material to form a block. One or more of a top wall, opposite side walls and the pressing wall are moved away from the a center of the compaction chamber to allow the block to elastically expand prior to exiting the compaction chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods of machine learning for splice improvement. A system can receive, from one or more sensors, one or more values corresponding to manufacture of a tire by the one or more pieces of tire manufacturing equipment. The systems can determine one or more metrics based on the one or more values. The systems can generate a matrix based on the one or more values and the one or more metrics. The systems can predict, via input of the matrix into a machine learning model, a value for a splice tolerance metric. The systems can determine, based on the value for the splice tolerance metric, a parameter of at least one piece of equipment to adjust. The systems can provide a command to adjust the piece of equipment responsive to the value of the splice tolerance metric.

Abstract: A technique for providing assistance in setting the time to increase the clamping force is provided. A control device of an injection molding machine includes a clamping control part and a monitoring part. The clamping control part is configured to change, in a filling step of filling the inside of a mold device with a molding material during clamping, a set value of clamping force from a first set value to a second set value that is larger than the first set value, at a predetermined pressurizing timing in the middle of the filling step. The monitoring part is configured to monitor changes in the actual value of the clamping force due to changes in the set value of the clamping force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production machine (1) having a control program (4) for visualization of machine components (2) and a method (100) of optimizing process parameters for the production machine having such a control program, as well as a data carrier having such a control program, the control program comprising an interactive user interface embodied as a visualization unit (5) and being adapted to visualize, on the visualization unit, at least one of the machine components in their functions during production in one presentation for each of these machine components and to provide corresponding switch panels (51) for the input of process parameters relating to the respective visualized machine component, the presentation comprising at least one parameter-time diagram (52) with motion curves (53) for components (21) of the respective machine component, wherein at least one of the motion curves being subdivided into different suitably visualized motion sections (53a, 53b, 53c) for each of which the proce

Abstract: A foamed part, includes: a long glass fiber filled polymeric material, wherein the long glass fibers have an initial length before molding of the foamed part and a final length after molding of the foamed part; wherein a post-molding length of the long glass fibers in the foamed part is greater than or equal to a post-molding length of long glass fibers in a similarly dimensioned foamed part made without a pressurized plasticizing unit.

Abstract: There is provided a forming apparatus for constraining a composite charge and forming the composite charge into a highly contoured composite structure. The forming apparatus includes a first die and a second die between which the composite charge is formed. The first die has pairs of first die portions spaced apart to define a die cavity into which the composite charge is formed into a contoured hat section having a cap. The forming apparatus includes a constraining assembly having a constraining device positioned in the die cavity. The constraining device is designed to constrain a cap portion, and to apply an upward resistive force against the cap portion, and against a downward compressive force applied by the second die, to provide wrinkle prevention in the cap as the contoured hat section is formed. The constraining assembly has a retaining element to retain the constraining device.

Abstract: In a sizing device equipped with a turntable having a plurality of accommodation holes that accommodate workpieces, carrying the workpiece in each of the accommodation holes to a through hole of a die disposed at a workpiece shaping position one by one, and causing the workpiece to be pressed by upper and lower punches, while each of the accommodation holes is moved from a workpiece supply position to a workpiece taking-out position by the turntable being rotated about a rotation axis, the sizing device includes a plurality of identification information holding units, a supply-side input unit, a shaping position read unit, a punch control unit, and a shaping position input unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for identifying a powder material. A powder press has a die for receiving a powder to be compacted. A press member is arranged to be moveable so as to compact the powder within the die. A load sensor senses a load applied by the press member to the powder so as to generate multiple load readings during movement of the press member. A processor is arranged to receive the load readings from the load sensor and to compare the load readings during movement of the die with predetermined load data. The processor outputs an identification signal for the compacted powder based on said comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting defects during the handling and processing of items at a material handling facility. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented at material handling to detect quality defects during processing of items in connection with fulfillment operations that may be designed to receive, store, sort, pick, pack, and ship items. Embodiments of the present disclosure provides a plurality of sensors and a trained machine learning model configured to provide real-time acquisition and analysis of item information to facilitate detection and mitigation of processing quality defects.

Abstract: Provided is an injection device and an injection control method which are capable of preventing a drooping phenomenon from an injection nozzle even during high cycle molding, and capable of appropriately plasticizing and molding a resin having poor thermal stability. An injection device (10) of the disclosure includes: an injection cylinder (30) which accumulates a molding material and has an injection nozzle (33) at the front; an injection plunger (31) which is moved backward in the injection cylinder (30); an injection plunger driving device (50, 150) which moves the injection plunger (31) backward; and an injection controller (60, 160). The injection controller (60, 160) retreats the injection plunger (31) by the injection plunger driving device (50, 150) to perform metering in a plastication metering step of metering the molding material supplied into the injection cylinder (30).

Abstract: A gap control part controls a clamping device so that mating surfaces in a die face each other across a gap, and thereby a cavity and an external part of the die communicate across the gap. A molten metal feed control part controls a molten metal feed device so as to feed molten metal into a sleeve when the gap is being maintained. An injection control part controls an injection device so as to start a forward movement of a plunger at a time when the gap is maintained and there is the molten metal in the sleeve. A clamping control part controls a clamping device so as to make the mating surfaces abut against each other to eliminate the gap after the forward movement of the plunger is started and before the molten metal reaches a molten metal surface height at which the molten metal flows into the gap.

Abstract: A method for operating an injection-molding machine, including the steps: a) in a current injection-molding cycle, after an accepted-part reference injection-molding cycle learned in a learning phase: detecting a compound pressure change k1 relative to an accepted-part reference compound pressure pmasse, ref during at least part of an injection phase of the current injection-molding cycle by measuring a current compound pressure pmasse, act and comparing the current compound pressure pmasse,act with the accepted-part reference compound pressure pmasse,ref, b) determining a target mold internal pressure curve pwkz,soll (t) for a holding-pressure phase of the current injection-molding cycle, wherein for this purpose a mold internal pressure curve pwkz,ref (t) of the accepted-part reference injection-molding cycle is adjusted at least in dependence on the compound pressure change k1 detected in step a), and c) traveling the holding-pressure curve pmasse, Hld, act (t) of the current injection-molding cycle in suc

Abstract: A tool system for producing a workpiece by injection-molding includes: a tool part which has a cavity for shaping the workpiece from an injection-molding compound; and an adjusting device, which has a drive, a drive shaft, and a plurality of adjusting elements which are operatively connected to the drive shaft and are adjustable via the drive shaft. Driven by the drive, the adjusting elements, each with an actuating section for acting on at least one portion of the workpiece, are adjustable relative to the cavity.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure relates to an apparatus that compresses lightweight plastic waste (e.g., used grocery bags, empty trash bags, food wrappers, etc.), and then applies a limited amount of heat to “bake” the compressed plastic into a “brick” of plastic. The plastic is compressed, and then heated enough to cause it to retain its compressed shape, without melting or substantial outgassing.

Abstract: A plasticizing device includes a passage defining section that is coupled to a hopper which stores a material and that defines a supply passage to which the material is supplied from the hopper, a plasticizing section that includes an introduction portion which communicates with the supply passage, and a screw, and that plasticizes the material supplied from the introduction portion by rotation of the screw to form a molten material, and a material detection section that detects the presence or absence of the material in the supply passage.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the position of a flow of melt within an injection molding system comprises a switch and a pin that actuates the switch. The pin has a first end positioned closer to the anticipated flow path of the melt and a second end that is positioned to be in contact with the switch, such that when melt enters the anticipated flow path, the pin is pushed to activate the switch.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an injection machine for a recycled plastic injection molding system. The injection machine comprises a supplying system configured to drive plastics from an entry end to downstream of receiving route, a heating system disposed to downstream of the supplying system and configured to melt plastics and drive plastics to the downstream of receiving route, and a buffer system disposed to downstream of the heating system and configured to be a receiving state and a supplying state. When the buffer system is in the receiving state, the buffer system is configured to receiving plastics from the heating system. When the buffer system is in the supplying state, the buffer system is configured to drive plastics to downstream of the receiving route.

Abstract: An operation setting device includes a first step of inputting an operation sequence and an operation position of the ejector by touching a desired point in a graph displayed on the setting display screen, a second step of inputting operation parameters including an operation speed, an operation position, an operation time, and an operation pattern of the ejector on the basis of the operation position thus input, and a third step of displaying in the graph and numerically displaying in a numerical value display part of the setting display screen the operation position and the operation parameters thus input. The operation position and operation parameters for each operation set in the first step to the third step are displayed in the graph and numerically displayed in the numerical value display part.

Abstract: A molding system and a method for operation of the molding system are provided. The method includes flowing a molten polymeric material into a shot tuning chamber from an upstream device, adjusting a temperature of and/or pressure applied to the molten polymeric material in the shot tuning chamber, and flowing the molten polymeric material from the shot tuning chamber into a mold cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for establishing triggers for the opening of one or multiple gates to a mold cavity of an injection molding system, followed by a sequence of predetermined valve pin movements over the course on an injection cycle. In one embodiment, the invention provides a graphical user interface and control system enabling a user to select from and arrange a plurality of virtual icons into a user-defined virtual sequence that define associated triggering events and actuator controlled pin movements over the course of an injection cycle. In various embodiments, the apparatus and method allows the system operator to view a simulated profile of such triggers and movements and to compare the simulated profile to an actual profile to access differences and make adjustments to the triggers and sequencing more quickly and efficiently. This is particularly useful in sequential molding systems where multiple gates need to be programmed and adjusted to compensate for variations from a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A thermoforming apparatus is provided having a frame, a pair of opposed platens, a toggle shaft, a kinematic linkage, a form air manifold, and a pair of articulating bearing assemblies. The pair of opposed platens is carried by the frame each with a die, one die configured to engage an opposed face of another die across a heated sheet of thermoformable material in sealed relation there between. The toggle shaft is carried by the frame for rotation. The kinematic linkage is coupled between the toggle shaft and one of the dies. The form air manifold and a source of differential pressure is coupled with a die face on one of the dies. The pair of articulating bearing assemblies is carried by the frame and configured to support the at least one toggle shaft for translation towards and away from the another die and platen. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a cyclically operating shaping machine includes at least one hydraulic drive unit for cyclically driving a component of the shaping machine at a start time; at least one pump; and at least one hydraulic accumulator which can be discharged for driving the at least one hydraulic drive unit and which can be charged up by operation of the at least one pump. An open-loop or closed-loop control unit is also provided for control of the at least one pump. The open-loop or closed-loop control unit is adapted to operate the at least one pump continuously until the start time of the at least one hydraulic drive unit to charge up the at least one hydraulic accumulator until the start time of the hydraulic drive unit.

Abstract: A material delivery device includes: a plasticizing unit including a screw; a nozzle through which a plasticized material is delivered to outside; a communication flow path provided between the screw and the nozzle and through which the plasticized material flows; a pressure detection unit including a first cylinder coupled to the communication flow path, a rod inserted into the first cylinder, and a pressure sensor disposed with the rod separated from the communication flow path, in which the rod is configured to receive a pressure of the plasticized material in the communication flow path at a first end surface facing the communication flow path, and transmit the pressure to the pressure sensor through a second end surface opposite to the first end surface; and a rotation regulation mechanism configured to regulate rotation of the rod about a central axis along a longitudinal direction of the rod by engaging a first engaging portion provided on a side surface of the rod and a second engaging portion to be e

Abstract: A method of detecting and compensating for a non-operational mold cavity in an injection molding apparatus having a plurality of mold cavities and an injection molding screw or ram includes injecting, via the injection molding screw or ram, a molten thermoplastic material into the plurality of mold cavities. The method includes measuring a first process parameter of the injection molding apparatus at a pre-determined time during or after the injecting. The method also includes determining, based on the first process parameter, whether one or more mold cavities of the plurality of mold cavities are non-operational. Then, when it is determined that one or more mold cavities are non-operational, the method includes automatically adjusting the first process parameter or a second process parameter of the injection molding apparatus.

Abstract: A three dimensional printing system for manufacturing a three dimensional article includes a movement mechanism, a support tray, a resin vessel, a light engine, a sensor, and a controller. The support tray is mounted to the movement mechanism and has a lower surface for supporting the three dimensional article. The resin vessel includes a transparent sheet defining a lower bound for resin contained therein. The light engine projects pixelated light through the transparent sheet and to a build plane. The controller is configured to (a) receive a start indication for a build process, (b) operate the sensor, (c) determine if polymerized build material is in a flag region from the sensor signal, and (d) if polymerized build material is determined to be in the flag region, halt the build process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injection molding of plastic material into a cavity of a mold by means of at least one injector whose opening and closing occurs through an electronic control unit and wherein an undesired opening of the mold caused by any overpressure of the plastic material injected into the cavity of the mold is detected by means of transducers and corrected by means of the electronic control unit. The transducers are arranged outside the cavity of the mold.

Abstract: A misalignment sensing system for a molding structure and a method for using same. The molding structure includes a first component and a second component, at least one of the components being selectively repositionable between a closed configuration of the mold structure and an open configuration of the mold structure. The misalignment sensing system includes an alignment member including a male portion coupled to and extending from the first component of the molding structure, and a female portion defined in the second component of the molding structure, the female portion being configured to receive the male portion when the molding structure is in a closed configuration; and at least one sensor connected to one of the male and female portions and being configured to detect a deformation of any one of the male portion and the female portion, the deformation being induced by a misalignment of the molding structure.

Abstract: A method includes feeding a heated polymer additive at a first temperature into a continuous mixer at a first feed rate. The method includes feeding a heated abrasive solid material at a second temperature into the continuous mixer at a second feed rate. The heated abrasive solid material and the heated polymer additive are mixed in the continuous mixer to form a first mixture.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes: a first driving device rotating a screw provided inside a heating cylinder; a second driving device moving the screw forward and backward; a metering control section configured to, by controlling the first driving device and the second driving device, to meter resin while melting the resin, and thereafter rotate the screw in reverse to thereby reduce the pressure of the resin; a first sensor unit for detecting the pressure; a second sensor unit for detecting one or more kinds of physical quantities that affect the change of the pressure; and a prediction section predicting decompressing rotation information based on the pressure detected by the first sensor unit and the one or more kinds of physical quantities detected by the second sensor unit. The metering control section controls the first driving device based on the decompressing rotation information predicted by the prediction section.

Abstract: Systems and approaches for controlling an injection molding machine having a first configuration and a mold forming a mold cavity and being controlled according to an injection cycle include obtaining a pattern for a portion of an injection cycle of an injection molding machine having a second configuration and operating the injection molding machine having the first configuration to inject a molten material into the mold cavity. While operating the injection molding machine having the first configuration, the obtained pattern is used to control a portion of the injection cycle.

Abstract: Compression mold assembly for forming a preform of a cascade includes first and second die elements and an axis of alignment. Line of removal of a formed preform is positioned perpendicular to a plane perpendicular to the axis of alignment. First die portion includes first curved surface forming interior surface of first strong back and second die portion includes first curved surface forming interior surface of a second strong back of a cell of a formed preform. Second die portion includes second curved surface forming an interior surface of a first vane on forward side of the cell of the formed preform and first die portion further includes first wall member which extends along line of removal and a second wall member which extends angularly from first wall portion forming an interior surface of a second vane positioned on an aft side of the cell.

Abstract: Systems and approaches for controlling an injection molding machine having a mold forming a mold cavity and being controlled according to an injection cycle include obtaining a pattern for the injection cycle, operating the injection molding machine to inject a molten material into the mold cavity, and measuring a cavity pressure value of the mold cavity during the mold cycle. Upon measuring a nominal cavity pressure value, a pattern recognition portion of the injection cycle that is at least partially dependent on the obtained pattern commences where a driving force being exerted on the molten material is adjusted such that the measured cavity pressure matches the obtained pattern for the injection cycle.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes: a screw inserted in an injection cylinder and configured to be movable in the axial direction; a motor configured to move the screw; a torque detection unit configured to detect the torque of the motor; a position detection unit configured to detect the position of the screw; a motor drive control unit configured to drive the motor while imposing torque limitation so that the motor's torque will not exceed a limit torque, to thereby advance the screw to the foremost position in the direction of injection; and a determination unit configured to determine that unmelted resin remains inside the injection cylinder if the moving speed of the screw becomes lower than or equal to a predetermined speed while the screw is advancing to the foremost position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for additively manufacturing of a three-dimensional product using top-down stereolithography, wherein flowable, photopolymerizable material in a vat (50) is solidified in a locally selective manner by exposure from above, characterized in that a pressurized gas jet is directed to the surface of the photopolymerizable material, which pressurized gas jet is ejected by a pressurized gas nozzle of a blower (2) which is movable above the liquid level in the vat, wherein the pressurized gas jet is extensive in a direction transverse to the moving direction of the blower, and that by moving the blower with its pressurized gas nozzle across areas of the material surface to be solidify and acts on the surface in this manner, to smooth and level the surface. With such a method multi-component products may be built in which products a further component has to be built attached to an already existing component which (partially) protrude over the liquid level in the vat.

Abstract: A molding machine configured to achieve space saving and simplification of the hydraulic circuit. Provided is a molding machine configured to form a molded body by closing, in a state where a parison is disposed by injecting molten resin between first and second molds capable of being opened and closed, the first and second molds and maintaining pressure applied to the first and second molds. A hydraulic circuit to conduct oil for generating hydraulic pressure; the flow adjustment valve, a pressure adjustment valve, and a path control valve included in the hydraulic circuit; and a multi-functional valve unit.

Abstract: An injection molding system (10) and method of use where the system (10) is comprised of an injection molding system (10), a controller (16) for controlling pack or fill pressures of the injection fluid injected during the pack and fill phases, a recorder, the controller including instructions that controls drive of actuators (1a, 2a, 3a, 4a) to effect an increase or decrease in fill and pack pressures of the injection fluid.

Abstract: A system includes a cavity, an injection nozzle configured to inject material into the cavity, and a plurality of sensors at sensor locations. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure parameters at one of the sensor locations. The system lacks a strain gauge. The system further includes a controller configured to control a flow rate of the injection of material into the cavity. The controller is configured to receive the measured parameters and compare the received information to predetermined curves. The controller is configured to control the flow rate when the measured parameters deviate from the predetermined curves.

Abstract: A liquid blow molding method molds a bottomed tubular-shaped preform into a liquid-containing container in which a content liquid is held. The liquid blow molding method includes: a filling step of filling a first liquid in a first pressurizing source and filling a second liquid in a second pressurizing source; and a molding step of liquid blow molding the preform by simultaneously supplying, to the preform, the first liquid pressurized to a predetermined pressure by the first pressurizing source and the second liquid pressurized to a predetermined pressure by the second pressurizing source by simultaneously operating the first pressurizing source and the second pressurizing source.

Abstract: An injection device having at least one flexible diaphragm. The injection device for forming a preform into a container and filling the container, and further including a main housing having an inlet, an outlet and an injection chamber, a closing body movable relative to the outlet between a closed position and an opened position, a closing diaphragm attached at least to the closing body, the injection chamber being delimited at least by an inner surface of the closing diaphragm, the closing diaphragm having an outer surface defining an outside area, a bearing surface against which a supported portion of the outer surface of the closing diaphragm is applied. The closing diaphragm further includes a free portion forming with the supported portion the whole outer surface of the closing diaphragm. The bearing surface is arranged such that the surface of the free portion decreases when the closing body moves from the closed position to the opened position.

Abstract: A brake control method for an injection molding machine includes the steps of obtaining mold clamping force information indicating the mold clamping force of a mold opening/closing mechanism and determining whether or not the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism exceeds a predetermined value, based on the mold clamping force information. When the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism does not exceed the predetermined value and when a servo amplifier cuts off the supply of power to a servomotor that drives the mold opening/closing mechanism, a brake mechanism for applying braking force to the mold opening/closing mechanism is actuated. On the other hand, when the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism exceeds the predetermined value, the brake mechanism will not be actuated.

Abstract: A powder module (1) for an apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising a powder chamber (2) limiting a powder room (3) that can be filled with powdered construction material, a carrying device (4) arranged in the powder room (3), limiting the powder room (3) at the bottom, movably supported relative to the powder chamber (2), and a position detection device (6), which is provided for the detection of the position of the carrying device (4), wherein the position detection device (6) is formed as or at least comprises a cable pull sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure are directed to external sensor kits that may be included in new injection molds or retrofitted into existing injection molds in order to approximate conditions within a mold, such as pressure or the location of a melt flow front. Such kits are designed to amplify meaningful measurements obtained by the external sensor kit so that noise measurements do not prevent the approximation of conditions within a mold. In some embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, an external sensor kit includes a strain gauge sensor, a coupon, a support bracket, and a hammer. The strain gauge sensor is placed on a surface of the coupon and measures the strain in the coupon.