Abstract: A mold for a secondary molding includes a lower mold insert, an upper mold insert coupled to the lower mold insert, and an extraction device loaded in the lower mold insert. The lower mold insert has a lower container, a couple of lower notches adjacent to the two opposite sides of the lower container respectively and a lower cavity with two opposite sides connected to the lower notches respectively. The extraction device has an inserting core. The inserting core includes a body with two molding portions at its opposite sides. The body is inserted into the lower container, the molding portions project into the lower cavities.

Abstract: A molded component retrieving apparatus and a molding machine with the molded component retrieving apparatus include first and second units. The first unit includes a base, first to third arms and a first lift arm. The second unit includes fourth to sixth arms and a second lift arm. The second unit is removably mounted on the third arm through an intermediate base member. Rotary shafts of the arms are parallel. A holding unit to hold and retrieve the molded component or the runner is arranged at the forward end of the first and second lift arms. The third and sixth arms can be kept in position even when the drive sources are reduced in number and other arms are pivoted using a belt and a pulley.

Abstract: In preparing dentures, hardened mould material surrounds the denture. This mould material is adhered inside a denture flask with a housing having two separably matable portions. To remove the hardened mould material from the flask, the flask is mounted in a mould press having a shaft, with one of the portions is restrained against movement along an axis of travel of the shaft. A portion of the mould material at an end of the restrained flask portion is available for contact with the shaft along the axis of travel. A capped end of the shaft is forcefully advanced against the adhered mould material therein, thereby breaking the adhesion. After this is done, the denture flask is dismounted from the mould press and the hardened mould material is removed from the first flask portion. If necessary, the process is repeated with the other housing portion.

Abstract: A compactable mold comprises a main mold frame structure and plural wall structures including two end wall structures and two side wall structures. The plural wall structures define a mold cavity for forming a block from a mixture introduced into the mold cavity. At least two of the plural wall structures are movable wall structures for compacting the mixture. A described compactable mold has end walls and side walls that are shaped for forming tongue and groove features on a compacted block, and the end walls and side walls are movable such that a formed block can be released easily from the mold. A described compactable mold comprises at least one tube attached to at least one of the compacting wall structures. The compacting wall structures are operable to compact the mixture by moving toward the center of the mold cavity while the at least one tube remains stationary.

Abstract: A molding method and apparatus includes movable die 30 and fixed die 20 which form cavity 50, and extrusion plate 40 movable in the die closing/opening direction. A die surface 32b corresponding to the undercut portion is formed by separate push-up block 32, which is fixed to push-up pin 42, which is tiltably held by extrusion plate 40, and passes through insertion hole 34 in movable die 30. A gap 34a enables push-up pin 42 to tilt in the insertion hole. Push-up block 32 releases the part from the movable die by relative movement between extrusion plate 40 and movable die 30, and, by further movement of the part, the slanted surface of the undercut portion pushes the die surface of the push-up block in a direction which intersects with the die closing/opening direction to free the undercut portion by tilting the push-up pin and push-up block.

Abstract: A gating structure (13) for molding connects with a mold cavity (300). The gating structure includes a first gate (100), a second gate (200), an ejector sleeve (400) and an ejector pin (500). The second gate connects with the first gate at an angle. The ejector pin extends through the ejector sleeve. One part of the ejector pin fixes in the ejector sleeve, the other par of the ejector pin is received in the second gate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article moving apparatus configured to move an article relative to a first mold half and a second mold half of a molding machine. The article moving apparatus includes an arm configured to grasp and release the article, and also include an arm reciprocating structure configured to reciprocate the arm between an in-mold position and an out-mold position relative to the first mold half and the second mold half, and to be selectively retractable away from an abutment relationship relative to any one of the first mold half and the second mold half.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies related to a rotary automatic transfer rail for injection molding are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention includes a mold assembly. The mold assembly may include first, second, and third mold plates. The mold plates may be positioned generally parallel to one another. The mold assembly may include an automatic transfer rail assembly. The automatic transfer rail assembly may include a rail. The automatic transfer rail assembly may include a carrier. The carrier may have first and second members. The carrier may be translatable along the rail between a first closed position and an open position. The carrier may be rotatable about the rail. In some embodiments, molded articles need not be transferred from mold components to a robot and then back to different mold components.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article moving apparatus.

Abstract: Servo side shuttle apparatus and method for a molding machine includes structure and/or steps whereby a shuttle plate is disposed adjacent at least one of a first mold half and a second mold half of the molding machine. A guidance assembly is coupled to the mold half and guides the shuttle plate linearly across a molding face of the mold half. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the shuttle plate in a linear direction. An operation structure is coupled to the shuttle plate and is configured to perform an operation on a molded article disposed either in the mold cavity or on the mold core. The operation may include removing the molded article from a mold core, applying a label to a mold cavity, and/or closing the lid of a molded article while it is resident on the mold core.

Abstract: A thermoforming apparatus and method are provided. An identification tag such as a radio frequency identification tag is provided for molding into or attaching to a thermoformed article during the thermoforming process. The tag may be attached to the article by mechanical interlocking and/or a heat sensitive adhesive. The identification tag is applied to the article while the article is being formed in the thermoforming mold.

Abstract: A press system that reduces contamination of workpieces and/or compliant members used in die assemblies of the press from the pressing process. The die assemblies may utilize annular or hole-less stampers in which the compliant member is sealed in the die assembly. The compliant member may have be annular having a cavity at approximately its center. A gap may be generated at the cavity of the compliant member between a constraint member and the stamper. The gap, for example, may be filled with a plug to prevent significant distortion of the stamper over a hole of a disk shaped workpiece due to the pressure induced force generated by the press system. An outer diameter ring surrounding a workpiece may be used to prevent collapse of the stampers outside the diameter of the workpiece to insure uniform pressing out to the outer diameter of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for injection-molding products, comprising an injection mold (2) divisible into at least two parts (6, 8) such that consequently at least one mold cavity (14) is cleared, wherein on at least one part of the injection mold guiding means (22) are provided for a transfer device (4) for providing an insert in the mold cavity and/or for taking a product from the mold cavity.

Abstract: A high precision molding device for insert-molding optical lens comprises a stationary sub-mould and a movable sub-mould for engaging with the stationary sub-mould thereby forming a mould cavity therebetween for molding an optical lens. The molded lens has a body and a protection ring extending outside from the body, and is separated from the stationary sub-mould together with the movable sub-mould. The movable sub-mould includes a mould base, a core fixed with the mould base and a pushing means for pushing the molded lens off the movable sub-mould. The pushing means is circumferentially positioned at the mould base. The upper and bottom surfaces of the protection ring of the molded lens form textures to be foggy.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes an assembly for stripping a medium from a mold cavity. The assembly may include at least one stripper shoe, a head structure, and a flexible plunger connecting the head structure and the at least one stripper shoe. The flexible plunger may include cutouts or openings along the length of the plunger to induce increased flexibility. The flexible plunger may include a first bending stiffness at one end of the plunger and a second bending stiffness the opposite end of the plunger. The cutouts may be configured such that the second bending stiffness is substantially less than the first bending stiffness. By increasing the flexibility of the plungers, the usable life of the assembly may be prolonged while maintaining product quality.

Abstract: Servo side shuttle apparatus and method for a molding machine includes structure and/or steps whereby a shuttle plate has a portion always disposed inboard of a perimeter of a first mold half of the molding machine. Drive structure is preferably configured to drive the shuttle plate only in one plane across a molding face of the first mold half. A plurality of gripping structures are coupled to the shuttle plate and are respectively configured to remove a corresponding plurality of molded articles from a corresponding plurality of mold cavities (or cores). The drive structure is also configured to drive the shuttle plate to cause the plurality of gripping structures to be moved in a direction which is diagonal with respect to an array direction of the plurality of mold cavities (or cores).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a part from a mold includes a frame and a retrieving assembly having a member mount attached to the frame and a plurality of part retaining members attached to the member mount, at least two of the retaining members being offset from one another along a first axis. One or more of the part retaining members can also be adjustable relative to the mount to accommodate varying surfaces of parts to be removed. The apparatus for removing a part may further include a lock arrangement configured to secure the retrieving assembly in a retrieving position.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an adjustable knockout rod for use in conjunction with injection molding machines. The knock-out rod disclosed herein is preferably formed of a round bar having a plurality of annular notches or undercuts formed at uniform intervals along the length of the bar. The knock-out rod passes through a stationary platen and is retained in position relative to the stationary platen by a split collar. The split collar is designed to be inserted into the stationary platen in more than one orientation thereby effecting adjustment of the knock-out rod a distance and interval less than the distance between the adjacent notches on the rod. Additionally, the quick adjusting knockout rod disclosed herein is provided with means for fine adjustment of the overall length of the rod.

Abstract: Platen-mounted, post-mold cooling apparatus and method includes structure and/or steps for handling molded parts in an injection molding machine having a fixed platen, a moving platen, a core half, and a cavity half. A take off device coupled to the fixed platen is configured to remove molded parts from either the core half or the cavity half. A cooling device coupled to the moving platen is configured to cool the molded parts carried by the take off device. Preferably, the take off device extracts the just molded parts from the mold's core half and then moves linearly outboard of the mold halves. The subsequent movement of the moving platen to close the mold in the next molding cycle causes the cooling device's pins to engage the molded parts in the take off device part carriers. When the moving platen opens again, the molded parts are extracted from the part carriers by the cooling device pins. When the moving platen is fully open, the cooling device is rotated to eject the cooled parts from the machine.

Abstract: Platen-mounted, post-mold cooling apparatus and method includes structure and/or steps for handling molded parts in an injection molding machine having a fixed platen, a moving platen, a core half, and a cavity half. A take off device coupled to the fixed platen is configured to remove molded parts from either the core half or the cavity half. A cooling device coupled to the moving platen is configured to cool the molded parts carried by the take off device. Preferably, the take off device extracts the just molded parts from the mold's core half and then moves linearly outboard of the mold halves. The subsequent movement of the moving platen to close the mold in the next molding cycle causes the cooling device's pins to engage the molded parts in the take off device part carriers. When the moving platen opens again, the molded parts are extracted from the part carriers by external gripping devices. When the moving platen is fully open, the cooling device is rotated to eject the cooled parts from the machine.

Abstract: A device (1) and a method for removing an object from a moulding tool (2) in connection with casting or moulding an object, wherein there is a retaining force between the moulding tool and the object. The device comprises a body (5), coupling means (13) arranged for coupling the object to the body and means (20) for applying a traction force on the object, which is substantially opposite to said retaining force, wherein the body is designed with a contact surface adapted for at least partly being in contact with the object, and the coupling means is arranged to couple the object to the contact surfaces such that said traction force becomes substantially uniformly distributed over the part of the surface of the object that is in contact with the contact surface.

Abstract: A decelerated ejector pin system in an ejector half of an injection mold, that molds a molded part. The ejector half has at least one lifter, a core plate, a pin plate, an ejector bar, a base plate, and at least one ejector pin. The decelerated ejector pin system includes at least one further ejector pin to be moved and decelerated through the core plate. The decelerated ejector pin system has at least one sleeve that is actuated by the core plate for decelerating the further ejector pin. A spring is disposed in the ejector bar. At least one stop pin supports the further ejector pin and compresses the spring, and a cap attaches to the stop pin for pre-stressing the spring.

Abstract: A method of thermoforming shells so that their cut lips face inward toward the shells permits the production of a number of novel thermoformed products having superior nesting and de-nesting qualities and having the ability to fit together to produce a variety of closed shell forms.

Abstract: An article ejector is provided having kinematic linkages that drive ejector paddle assemblies in an article ejector mode, as well as a die cleaning mode where the kinematic linkages are driven via rotary motion in a continuous clockwise direction, in both modes, without having to impart changes in direction for the rotary drive mechanisms, and while maintaining maximum mechanical advantage of the kinematic linkages. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An all plastic metering pump having a bellows-type spring with a tubular valve which is integrally formed on it in a single piece in a discharge region toward a metering head, the tubular valve being designed as a discharge valve of the metering pump. In the method, the pump components, which have been manufactured in each case in a plurality of injection cycles, are assembled from the injection mold in a defined assembly sequence in time with the injection cycles, the number of assembly steps corresponding to the number of injection cycles for producing the various pump components.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the production of compacted powder elements. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the improvement of tooling for powder compaction equipment, and the processes for making such tooling. The improvement comprises the use of a ceramic tip or similar component in high wear areas of the tooling, particularly center pins. Moreover, the use of such ceramic components enables reworking and replacement of the worn tool component.

Abstract: A mold device and method for producing a rough texture on all or a portion of the outward exterior surfaces of masonry block units. The device of the present invention is a mold having one or more cavities, open at the top and the bottom, with a rigid support platform or sheet across the bottom, to hold the masonry mixture in place until discharged through the bottom of the mold. On a portion of the interior sidewalls of the mold, are substantially vertical ribs extending from the interior surface, creating voids in the compacted mixture. An extension or “stripper” unit extends inwardly along the base of the portion of the interior wall containing the vertical ribs. A top plate configured to fit removably within the interior walls of the mold cavity is provided to compact the masonry mixture and to push the masonry unit out of the mold and simultaneously clean the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire tread mould comprising a lower molding part (2) and an upper molding part (3) defining respectively the outer surface or the inner surface of a tread, at least one of the parts being movable between two positions corresponding to the opening and closure of the mould (1), in which the upper molding part (3) bears elements (6) for hooking one of the longitudinal ends of the tread.

Abstract: A system for molding dispensing valves includes first and second mold sections, at least one of which is movable with respect to the other between a closed position in which the mold sections form a plurality of dispensing valve mold cavities, and an open position in which the mold sections are spaced from each other and the mold cavities are open along a mold parting line. A transfer mechanism is movable between the first and second mold sections in the open positions of the mold sections for receiving molded valves from the cavities and transferring the valves from between the mold sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of multi-layered concrete moulded bodies in a moulding machine comprising a moulding insert having a plurality of mould cavities. Relief structures are arranged in the lateral walls of the mould cavities and are dimensioned in such a way that projections formed on the moulded body when the filled concrete material is compacted engage in the relief structures, thereby creating sufficient retaining force for compensating the net weight of the moulded body and enabling the moulded bodied to be extracted from the mould cavities as a result of additional demoulding forces and causing elastic deformation of the projections without any material being cut off from the projections.

Abstract: A multi-daylight mould moulding machine with more than two parting planes removes parts between a number of mould halves and transfers parts onto a conveying device, in which an arm of a removal device moves into a parting plane between opened mould halves. Parts are removed from mould cavities of a mould half and transferred to a transfer device, which deposits the parts on a conveying path. Parts in all the parting planes are removed simultaneously by a removal device, which has arms corresponding in their number to the number of parting planes. The removal device is moved into a first transfer position, parts from one group of arms are deposited by a transfer unit on a first conveying path and then moved into at least a second transfer position where parts from a further group of arms are deposited by a further transfer unit on a second conveying path.

Abstract: A device for removing an injection-molded substrate with attached sprue from an injection mold having half-molds, in particular a substrate for optical data carriers, includes a lever that can swing in and out of a position between the half-molds of the injection mold and is constructed to include a substrate retaining mechanism with a substrate retaining member with a recess or an opening sized to hold the substrate and configured to receive the sprue with a pass fit. The substrate retaining member secures the substrate in place as the lever swings in and out of the open half-molds. An injection molding machine using the device is also described. The substrate can be quickly demolded and the sprue removed in a single operation without producing dust in the mold.

Abstract: An ejector apparatus wherein, in mounting a lift core to a slide base, and in mounting an ejector core to an ejector plate, it is easy to mount the lift and ejector cores to the slide base and the ejector plate, and simultaneously perform adjustment that allows for thermal expansion of the cores. The ejector apparatus includes a lift core extending through a core constituting a mold and movably installed in a longitudinal direction of the lift core with respect to a surface of the core; an ejector plate arranged between the core and a base plate, and being capable of moving up and down, the base plate being arranged below and spaced from the core; and an adjustment coupling constructed such that a lower end portion of the lift core is supported to expand and contract in a longitudinal direction of the lift core relative to the ejector plate.

Abstract: An ice cream scoop includes a handle, a bowl formed on an end of the handle, the bowl including a cutout, and a resilient rejecting member extending from the handle into the cutout and spaced from a perimeter delimiting the cutout. The handle may include two substantially parallel slits communicated with the cutout, leaving a resilient section forming a part of the resilient rejecting member. The resilient section may include a pressing portion on a rear side thereof. When rejecting of ice cream is required, the user may press the pressing portion to reject the ice cream in the bowl.

Abstract: A method and a molding tool for producing containers from a thermoplastic plastic film. The method and tool permit the production of containers having a hollow floor and a double-walled standing base, with a seal between the two walls of the standing base. The method permits the production of such a container in large piece numbers, and with a high quality, and allows it to be transferred reliably into a stacking device. The components of the molding tool are subjected to low wear, and the molding tool is unsusceptible to contamination. These features are attained by a constant contact between the mold floor and the container floor between the shaping and stacking processes, and by the creation of a space between the inside wall of the standing base and the outside wall of the mold floor prior to the ejection of the container, the space also permitting the unmolding of a standing base that has a more pronounced undercut or a slightly conical shape.

Abstract: A clamping device for injection molding machine is proposed. The clamping device has a movable mold holder, a guiding unit, a screw rod unit, a transmission unit, a first clamping unit, and a second clamping unit. Power from the driving source is transmitted via the transmission unit to the screw rod unit, so as to drive the movable mold holder to move in reciprocating motion. When the mold is actuated to close, the first clamping unit engages to a gear wheel member of the screw rod unit. The gear wheel member and the first clamping unit are driven by the second clamping unit to move for generating a rotational torque, and to drive the screw rod unit for generating a clamping thrust.

Abstract: An in-mold system and method for handling molded articles. An in-mold lid handling system provides a slide that is operable to translate laterally across a molding face of an injection mold to perform a first operation on, or to retrieve a plurality of molded articles from, a column of molding cavities and to thereafter retreat to an outboard position for a second operation, or to transfer the molded articles to drop chutes. The driving means for the slide include a first and a second transmission attached to the ends thereof. The transmissions operate on the same basic principle wherein at least one belt contained therein is configured along a path defined by a plurality of guides, the path including a plurality of segments defined between the guides, and the at least one belt being operable along the path between two positions, wherein the slide is attached to various suitably arranged path segments and is thereby driven between the inboard and the outboard positions respectively.

Abstract: An improved structure of an ice cream scoop is disclosed. The ice cream scoop comprises a first part and a second part that integrate with one another. The improvement of the ice cream scoop comprises a neck portion in a bended shape for providing an auxiliary elastic force and enhancing the structural strength of the neck portion.

Abstract: A withdrawing device for a press that outputs an elongated workpiece in a direction has a first guide extending in the direction and carrying a first carriage movable by a first motor. A second guide extending in the direction on the first carriage carries a second carriage displaceable in the direction on the second guide by a second motor. The workpiece is clamped to the second carriage. A controller is connected to the first and second motors for shifting the second carriage in the direction at a speed independent of a speed of the first carriage while the first carriage is moving in the direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting an in-line robot includes structure and/or steps for mounting a beam having an axis of travel. The in-line robot is preferably mounted on an injection molding machine. At least two mountings are provided, with a first mounting provided on a stationary platen of said injection molding machine, and a second flexible mounting provided on a portion of a clamping assembly. Preferably, the second flexible mounting is provided on a clamp block. The flexible mounting includes a first structure for fastening to a portion of the clamping assembly, and a second structure for fastening to the beam. The flexible mounting also includes a spacer extending between the first and second structures for fastening, and the spacer is attached to the first and second structures for fastening by first and second connectors, respectively.

Abstract: In a controller for avoiding interference between a mold body comprising a mold and a peripheral equipment installed to said mold and a product removing unit in an injection molding machine, a distance between the position of the mold body and the position of the product removing unit is determined. It is then judged whether or not the distance is smaller than a predetermined distance. If the distance is smaller than the predetermined distance, the operation of product removing unit is decelerated or stopped.

Abstract: Platen-mounted, post-mold cooling apparatus and method includes structure and/or steps for handling molded parts in an injection molding machine having a fixed platen, a moving platen, a core half, and a cavity half. A take off device coupled to the fixed platen is configured to remove molded parts from either the core half or the cavity half. A cooling device coupled to the moving platen is configured to cool the molded parts carried by the take off device. Preferably, the take off device extracts the just molded parts from the mold's core half and then moves linearly outboard of the mold halves. The subsequent movement of the moving platen to close the mold in the next molding cycle causes the cooling device's pins to engage the molded parts in the take off device part carriers. When the moving platen opens again, the molded parts are extracted from the part carriers by the cooling device pins. When the moving platen is fully open, the cooling device is rotated to eject the cooled parts from the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling and cooling preforms, comprising a collection element provided with a plurality of receptacles arranged according to a definite geometrical distribution pattern and adapted to accommodate a corresponding plurality of preforms, as well as a cooling element. The collection element is displaceable from a preform loading position to several distinct positions, arranged above the cooling element, which is provided with a plurality of cups collected into a plurality of distinct, but similar geometrical distribution patterns that are translated with respect to each other in such a manner as to prevent them from interfering with each other.

Abstract: A gear molding method for molding a plurality of plastic gears having a different number of ribs without changing costly gates uses a mold having a prescribed gear shape including a prescribed number of grooves substantially radially arranged in the mold. A prescribed number of gates is provided for pouring molten plastic into the mold. When a plastic gear is molded and separated from the mold, a prescribed number of grooves are additionally cut at a middle angular position between each of the pair of neighboring grooves without changing the gates. Then, another gear having increased number of ribs is molded using the same gates.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the production of compacted powder elements. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the improvement of tooling for powder compaction equipment, and the processes for making such tooling. The improvement comprises the use of a ceramic tip or similar component in high wear areas of the tooling, particularly center pins. Moreover, the use of such ceramic components enables reworking and replacement of the worn tool components.

Abstract: A mold for forming blocks with at least one textured surface, the mold comprising a structure defining a cavity open at opposite ends thereof for receiving a block forming material at one of the open ends and discharging a block formed from the block forming material at the other of the open ends; and a continuous web surrounding at least a portion of the structure and movable relative to the structure for acting on the block forming material received within the cavity to impart a texture to a surface of the block, the web being mounted to move around the portion of the structure when the block is discharged from the cavity.

Abstract: A mold assembly (100) formed of a pair of molds (102, 104) and a pair of release plates (118, 120). The molds (102, 104) have holes (126) which extend from outer surfaces into the mold cavities (106). The release plates (118, 120) have pins (122, 124) which pass into the holes (126, 128). When molding is finished, the molds (102, 104) are moved toward the release plates (118, 120). The pins (122, 124) contact the molded article(s) (134) and hold them in position as the molds (102, 104) are withdrawn.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and/or placing a workpiece from or into an injection mold of an injection molding machine includes a fixed platen and a moving platen which have attached thereon respective half-molds. A toothed rack is firmly connected to the fixed platen and engages with a drive pinion of a globoid cam gear which is disposed on the moving platen or attached half-mold and has an output shaft for attachment of a gripper arm. To prevent the gripper arm from moving into an undesired position, when the injection mold is opened beyond a predefined distance, the toothed rack and the fixed platen are connected through the intervention of a detachable coupling, whereby a release mechanism is provided to disengage the coupling when a distance between the fixed and moving platens exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an injection molding tool that has improved grounding. The injection molding process creates significant amounts of static electricity in the molten thermoplastic. This static electricity can be more adequately dissipated from the system through the addition of one or more paths to ground. In this manner, a significant reduction in charge passing between the stamper and the mirror block can be achieved. By reducing or eliminating the amount of charge passing between the stamper and the mirror block, erosion of the mirror block can be reduced or avoided.

Abstract: An ice cream scooper includes a shank having a handle on one end and a scooper member on the other end, and a flexible panel attached to the scooper member and engageable with an ice cream ball scooped and received in the scooper member. An actuator is pivotally attached to the scooper member, and includes an arm engageable with the flexible panel, to move and actuate the flexible panel relative to the scooper member, and to disengage the ice cream ball from the scooper member. The arm includes a protrusion engaged into a slot of the panel, to solidly attach the arm to the panel. The scooper member includes a passage to slidably receive the hand grip of the actuator.