With Means To Close Mold Patents (Class 425/589)
  • Publication number: 20040219256
    Abstract: The value of a monitor item is detected in a monitor region predetermined in relation to a mold closing operation during the course of a mold clamping step. Emergency processing is performed when the detected value exceeds a threshold value. There are preset an anomalous-state mold opening velocity higher than a normal-state mold opening velocity on the basis of which mold opening control is performed in a normal state, and an anomalous-state-velocity end position at which mold opening control based on the anomalous-state mold opening velocity is ended. Mold opening control based on the anomalous-state mold opening velocity is performed in a portion of the monitor region ranging from a point corresponding to time when the detection value has exceeded the threshold value, to a point corresponding to the anomalous-state-velocity end position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Takashi Hakoda, Yoshito Aruga
  • Publication number: 20040219258
    Abstract: The novel solution provides a closing part comprising an electromechanical drive for a CD injection molding machine having a working stroke and a servicing stroke. The entire mold closing unit is characterized by the combination of a short-stroke crank mechanism which is operated by an electric motor and which is provided for the working stroke and of a central electromotive column-type nut drive for the servicing stroke. According to the invention, synchronous motors or asynchronous motors are used with corresponding servo boosters to realize servo axles. The central column drive is used as a control element of the closing force control, together with a force sensor for detecting the closing force, as an actual value transmitter and as a control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Netstal-Machinen AG
    Inventors: Robert Weinmann, Bruno Stillhard, Ralph Keitel
  • Publication number: 20040219257
    Abstract: A mold-clamping control method for an injection molding machine includes the steps of detecting a value of a monitor item in a monitor region predetermined in relation to a mold closing operation during the course of a mold clamping step; differentiating the detected value in order to obtain a differential detection value; and performing emergency processing when the differential detection value exceeds a threshold value. The monitor item may be torque or velocity of a servomotor for performing a mold closing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Takashi Hakoda
  • Patent number: 6811388
    Abstract: A mold clamping unit employed in an injection molding apparatus for opening and closing a mold having a movable mold plate and a fixed mold plate. The mold clamping unit comprises a mold clamping cylinder, mold opening means for applying a mold opening force of a predetermined magnitude to the movable mold plate in the direction from the closed position to the fully open position and moving the movable mold plate from the closed position to the predetermined half-open position located between the closed position and fully open position, and switching means for switching the mold clamping force generated by the mold clamping cylinder between the first mold clamping force which is larger than the mold opening force and a second mold clamping force which is smaller than the mold opening force by switching the supply pressure of working fluid supplied to the mold clamping cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Kitayama, Atsushi Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20040213871
    Abstract: A hybrid injection unit for an injection molding machine includes a plasticizing screw having a shaft and constructed for rotation and axial displacement. Operatively connected to the shaft is a first electric motor for rotating the plasticizing screw, and a second electric motor for axial displacement of the plasticizing screw. A cost-efficient construction of the second electric motor and reduced stress of the linkage between this electric motor and the shaft is realized by providing at least one piston and cylinder unit in fluid communication with a pressure source for support of the second electric motor in injection direction, and a traverse acted upon by one end of the piston and cylinder unit and rotatably supporting the shaft of the plasticizing shaft. The traverse acts upon the shaft between a force introduction point of the second electric motor into the shaft, on one hand, and the plasticizing screw, on the other hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: KRAUSS-MAFFEI KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Walter Wohlrab, Herbert Pickel
  • Patent number: 6805827
    Abstract: A stationary platen (14) and a movable platen (18), which are connected with each other by tie rods (28), to which metallic molds are respectively attached, are opened and closed by an electrically driven ball screw mechanism. The movable platen is composed of a platen body and a pressure plate (304) attached to the platen body which can be contacted with and separated from the platen body. Between the movable platen and the pressure plate, clamping is conducted by the expansion and contraction of a bladder (318) into which hydraulic oil for clamping can be introduced. The bladder houses an insert die (320), the shape of which is identical with an internal shape of the bladder, and a hydraulic oil path is formed in the insert die. While a ball screw member (102) of an electrically driven ball screw mechanism is being supported being capable of moving in the axial direction, a brake means (130) for restricting rotation is provided, and a mold releasing cylinder mechanism (116) is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Ube Machinery Corporation, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kami, Hidenobu Ono, Masayuki Tsuruda, Kazuo Kubozoe, Iseo Kamota, Tokuhisa Okada, Hiroyuki Takatori
  • Patent number: 6799963
    Abstract: A method for making a double-sided microlens mold and microlens array mold is described which utilizes a spinning half radius diamond cutting member operated in a plunge cut in a technique similar to milling to cut the optical surface into a diamond turnable material. The method can be used to make high sag lens molds with high accuracy. Microlens array molds can be made with a high degree of uniformity and a nearly 100% fill factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John Border, Robert Dambrauskas, Craig A. Sadlik
  • Publication number: 20040191360
    Abstract: The closing unit of a three-plate injection-molding machine comprises a die plate (1), a movable mold-clamping plate (2) and an end plate (3). Therein the die plate (1) and the end plate (3) are connected to one another via tie bars (4) on which the movable mold-clamping plate (2) is displaceably guided, and a toggle-lever arrangement (5), on which a drive unit (6) acts is provided between the end plate (3) and the movable mold-clamping plate (2). An encasing element (13) of variable length extends between the end plate (3) and the movable mold-clamping plate (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Koch, Kai Grundmann
  • Patent number: 6796783
    Abstract: The novel solution provides a closing part comprising an electromechanical drive for a CD injection molding machine having a working stroke and a servicing stroke. The entire mold closing unit is characterized by the combination of a short-stroke crank mechanism which is operated by an electric motor and which is provided for the working stroke and of a central electromotive column-type nut drive for the servicing stroke. According to the invention, synchronous motors or asynchronous motors are used with corresponding servo boosters to realize servo axles. The central column drive is used as a control element of the closing force control, together with a force sensor for detecting the closing force, as an actual value transmitter and as a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Netsal Maschinen AG
    Inventors: Robert Weinmann, Bruno Stillhard, Ralph Keitel
  • Publication number: 20040185143
    Abstract: A molding machine including a base frame assembly and a clamping mechanism and an injection mechanism provided on the base frame assembly. The clamping mechanism includes a stationary platen carrying a stationary mold; a movable platen arranged movably relative to the stationary platen and carrying a movable mold; a rear platen disposed at a location opposite to the stationary platen about the movable platen; a tie bar tying the stationary platen and the rear platen with each other; a drive section for applying a drive force to the movable platen so as to move the movable platen relative to the stationary platen; and a platen support movably supporting the movable platen on the base frame assembly. The base frame assembly includes a first base frame supporting a first mass including the stationary platen, and a second base frame supporting a second mass including the movable platen, among the components of the molding machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Koichi Nishimura, Masatoshi Senga
  • Publication number: 20040180108
    Abstract: A mold closing device of an injection molding machine for producing plastic parts made of two or more plastic components includes a central mold carrier element which is arranged between two outer mold mounting plates and has two or four opposing mold mounting areas arranged in pairs for affixing two or four mold halves and which is fitted with a turning device supported in a supporting frame. Each of the mold halves of the mold carrier element can be closed against the mold halves of the outer mold mounting plates by a drive mechanism and a mold pressure unit. The outer mold mounting plates are interconnected by columns which extend through the supporting frame for the central mold carrier element. The supporting frame is fixedly connected to the machine frame while the outer mold mounting plate is displaceably supported on the machine frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: KRAUSS-MAFFEI KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Hans Wobbe, Walter Wohlrab
  • Publication number: 20040178536
    Abstract: In a molding machine, a fixed platen which supports a fixed die is disposed on one end of a base plate. A movable platen which supports a movable die and a supporting mount which supports each one end portion of the four tie bars are mounted on slide units. The movable platen and the supporting mount are advanced so as to close the die, a tip portion of each tie bar is locked to the fixed platen by a lock mechanism, and a die clamping cylinder provided on the movable platen is actuated to generate a clamping force so as to execute molding. After that, the lock mechanism executes an unlocking operation so as to cause the movable platen and the supporting mount to retreat to a die open position. Furthermore, an attaching and detaching mechanism releases the die clamping cylinder so as to cause only the supporting mount to significantly retreat from the movable platen, and thus the four tie bars are completely evacuated from the fixed die and the movable die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Tsukasa Kato, Hidenori Uebayashi, Takashi Hirai, Yoshiki Matsuura, Hiroaki Furuya
  • Patent number: 6790020
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system in which carbon dioxide is supplied to a pressure chamber of a molten resin preparing apparatus which has established a certain temperature environment to diffuse the carbon dioxide in a material synthetic resin in a molten state. After turning the material synthetic resin into a gas-dissolving-resin in the pressure chamber, the gas-dissolving-resin is supplied to a mold space of a molding apparatus for compression molding. The pressure inside the mold space is quickly lowered by raising an upper mold of the molding apparatus quickly, whereby a foamed article is produced from the gas-dissolving-resin in the mold space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takeo Kitayama, Nobuhiro Usui
  • Publication number: 20040164462
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an anisotropic formed body in which functional, magnetic fine particles are oriented in a specific direction within a matrix and in which anisotropy is given to properties attributable to the functional fine particles. The apparatus allows use of a wide variety of materials as the functional fine particles and realizes an anisotropy which is parallel and of a uniform interval within a large area. Further, a method for manufacturing an anisotropic formed body, includes applying, by using a superconducting magnet device, a uniform and parallel magnetic field with magnetic lines of force at equal intervals and parallel to each other, to a mold in which the matrix is filled with a liquid molding material containing functional, magnetic fine particles, to orient the functional fine particles in a direction of the magnetic lines of force, whereby the liquid molding material subsequently hardens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Hitoshi Wada, Tsukasa Kiyoshi, Masayuki Tobita, Eiji Homma, Hideaki Konno
  • Patent number: 6776605
    Abstract: A mold mounting plate of an injection molding machine, in particular for plastic, includes a baseplate having a front face for receiving a mold. The weight of the mold mounting plate can be reduced by arranging a dome-shaped element with its base on the backside of the baseplate opposite the front side for supporting the baseplate. Such mold mounting plate is easy to manufacture as a single cast part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Mannesmann Plastics Machinery GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Becker, Guido Legewie
  • Publication number: 20040156946
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a clamping unit for an electrically operable injection molding machine having a drivable spindle whereby a mold backing plate may be moved in the closing direction. On the spindle a nut is guided, the axial movement of which may be transmitted to a mold backing plate. The axial or rotational movement of the nut acts on tilting members capable of being taken into clamping positions wherein the clamping forces acting on the mold backing plate may directly be introduced into the spindle or into a frame of the injection molding machine via the tilting members so as to alleviate the load on the spindle drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Jorg Dantlgraber
  • Patent number: 6769892
    Abstract: In an injection molding machine the injection molding unit and the mold closing unit are at least are at least partially operated by electrical drives in form of a linear motor. The rotor and the stator have cylindrical surfaces which are arranged concentrically. The stator windings are symmetrical to the motion axis of the linear motor. Several equally acting first cylindrical surfaces are interleaved with a corresponding number of equally acting other cylindrical surfaces and are respectively operated together for operative connection. This results in a linear motor that is able to provide the advance forces required for injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Karl Hehl
  • Publication number: 20040109917
    Abstract: An energy efficient drive system is provided for use on typical injection molding machines whereby a single electric motor drives both the extruder screw and a hydraulic motor that continuously charges a hydraulic accumulator during the extrusion process. During the injection cycle, the charge in the accumulator is directed to stroke the extruder screw and inject melt into the mold cavities. Another embodiment utilizes a similar arrangement on the clamp mechanism of the injection molding machine whereby the charge in the accumulator is directed to hold the mold closed during the injection cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Robert D. Schad
  • Patent number: 6746232
    Abstract: A mold mounting plate for an injection molding machine for processing material, in particular plastic material, includes a main body having a plate-shaped central portion. Received in the main body are plural sleeves which define openings for support of column-like holding and/or guiding elements of the injection molding machine, and are secured to the central portion such as to establish a flexible bending/torsion joint. In this way, a transmission of moments onto the column-like holding and/or guiding elements as a result of a deformation of the mold mounting plate is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Mannesmann Plastics Machinery GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Becker, Guido Legewie
  • Publication number: 20040101590
    Abstract: A molding apparatus have a cavity plate with cavity components thereon spaced significantly apart from one another wherein the cavity components are adapted to translate on the cavity plate to compensate for any misalignment with their corresponding core components. The core plate side has core components thereon spaced significantly apart from one another wherein the core components are adapted to translate on the core plate side to compensate for any misalignment with their corresponding cavity components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Nicoleon Petrou
  • Patent number: 6739864
    Abstract: A molding machine includes a mold space between two mold carriers. One of the two mold carriers is movable relative to the other by a drive. A separate power unit generates a predetermined closing force between the two mold carriers when the two mold carriers are moved together. The separate power unit comprises, for its actuation, a pressure cushion filled with a composition that is highly viscous by comparison with hydraulic oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Mannesmann Plastics Machinery GmbH
    Inventor: Gunther Fischbach
  • Publication number: 20040096542
    Abstract: Mould assembly (1) consisting of two interacting mould sections (2, 3). One mould section is provided with a seat (4) and the other mould section with a body (5, 6) that is accurately accommodated by said seat (4), the body/seat interaction having a centring effect. The seat (4) is delimited by a series of ridge-shaped elements (8) that arm arranged according to an annular shape. The rigidity thereof in the radial direction is greater than that in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Danny Maria Hubertus Philips, Arie Gerrit Izaak van der Velde
  • Publication number: 20040091570
    Abstract: The invention relates to a linear drive device for opening and closing molding tools and for applying a clamping force thereon, especially mold halves of a plastics molding machine. The device is comprised of a screw drive acting upon the molding tool, a first screw nut for opening and closing the molding tools and a piston/cylinder unit for applying a clamping force. In order to provide a linear drive device for opening and closing molding tools, especially mold halves of a plastics molding machine, which enables fast opening and closing of the molding tools and energy-optimized application of the clamping force to the molding tools, the piston/cylinder unit (113) acts upon the molding tool by means of a second screw nut (108).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Walter Wohlrab, R?uuml;diger Ostholt, Ralf Ingo Meyer, Klaus Becker
  • Patent number: 6733274
    Abstract: A method of injection-moulding includes separating an injection nozzle from a mould during every moulding cycle. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihito Seta, Takeshi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20040081717
    Abstract: An injection molding machine 10 utilizes a two part mold to produce a molded part. A machine includes a clamping mechanism 20 including one or more clamping cylinders 22 for applying a mold clamping force to the two part mold, an injection mechanism 30 for plasticizing material and injecting the plasticized material into the closed mold, and a controller 50 for powering the molding machine hydraulic system 52. In one embodiment, clamping pressure is automatically increased or decreased to allow air to escape as plasticized material flows into the mold cavity. In another embodiment, the controller provides a minimum clamp pressure to maintain the plasticized material within the mold as a function of fluid injection pressure to the screw member of the injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Jose R. Marazita
  • Publication number: 20040081722
    Abstract: An electromechanical clamping device with hydraulic assistance is described. A thrust mechanism driven by an electric motor displaces two clamping jaws with respect to each other along a guide device. One clamping jaw is divided into two mutually displaceable part jaws. A chamber to hold pressure medium is formed between the part jaws. The first part jaw can be displaced along the guide device and locked with respect to the latter. One part jaw is provided with a first cylinder coupled to the output of the thrust mechanism. In order to close the clamping device, in a first step the thrust mechanism pulls the part jaws against the other clamping jaw, in a second step the thrust mechanism delivers pressure medium from the first cylinder into the chamber between the two part jaws, with the first part jaw locked with respect to the guide device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Jorg Dantlgraber
  • Patent number: 6726466
    Abstract: A clamping device for an injection blow molding machine incorporates separate clamp movement actuators for joining or separating opposing mold parts and clamping actuators for applying a clamping force to closed mold parts. Opposing locking columns and locking collars are locked together and a clamping force is applied to opposing locked columns and collars. A stroke movement of the locking collars can optionally be provided to allow maximum clamp area clearance for a preform or blow-molded product entering or leaving the clamp area. The distance of stroke movement can be adjusted to accommodate molds of varying sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Jomar Corp.
    Inventor: Walter L. Priest
  • Patent number: 6722875
    Abstract: An injection molding machine with a vertically operating clamp mechanism is provided with a pair of locking devices on the upper movable platen to lock the locking rods for high tonnage clamping forces. Each locking device uses spring biased actuating rods to simultaneously lock two locking rods to the movable platen in an always “on” arrangement. A power on actuator is provided to release the locking device for raising and lowering the movable platen. A vertical ladder frame is provided for guiding the movable platen when it is raised or lowered. Additionally, a lift mechanism is provided for a rotary table carrying the lower mold halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Van Dorn Demag Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Ralph, Paul Zakich
  • Patent number: 6719553
    Abstract: In a mold-closing unit a device for variably fixing the spacing between the stationary mold carrier and moveable mold carrier is provided, which device comes into operational connection with a guide element to fix a set spacing. Associated with the moveable mold carrier is a fixing device which, on actuation, fixes the moveable mold carrier in its respective position. The drive for moving the moveable mold carrier itself alters the spacing along a portion of the guide element when the fixing device is actuated and the clamping device is not operationally connected. Drive has at least two parts which are operationally connected with one another, of which one part is supported on a support element and the other part is connected to the moveable mold carrier. One of the two parts of the drive also extends in linear fashion in the closing direction during the closing movement as a linear movement means for the moveable mold carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Karl Hehl
  • Patent number: 6709251
    Abstract: A support for rotating molds used in multi-shot injection molding provides for platen mounting of a support track that may extend beneath the molds to support the rotating mold portion. The extensible track provides a telescoping configuration that allows a long support span independent of the mold width improving mold stability and increasing potential mold separation for easy access to the mold portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: MGS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Payette, John J. Hahn, Brian R. Hartlmeier
  • Publication number: 20040043103
    Abstract: A positioning device for aligning and guiding first and second mold halves together is provided. The positioning device includes a first member defining an alignment axis and having a male portion. The first member is mounted to the first mold half. A second member is separable from the first member and defines a female portion for mating with the male portion along the alignment axis to align the first and second mold halves together. The second member is mounted to the second mold half. The male portion presents a first bearing surface and the female portion presents a second bearing surface. A cage that rotatably supports a plurality of needle bearings reduces friction along the bearing surfaces when mating the members together along the alignment axis. A spring resiliently supports the cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Michael S. Bokich
  • Publication number: 20040037916
    Abstract: A closing device for a mold closing unit includes: at least one hydraulic pressure cylinder unit for generating a mold closing pressure on an injection mold which is accommodated in a mold clamping chamber; a pressure piston disposed in the pressure cylinder unit, a piston rod of the pressure piston is disposed along a central axis of the pressure cylinder unit, and the pressure piston seperates a high-pressure chamber of the pressure cylinder unit from a low-pressure chamber thereof; an hydraulic drive cylinder, associated with the pressure cylinder unit, for closing the injection mold assembly, which drive cylinder is disposed concentrically relative to the central axis, and an actual cylinder of the drive cylinder is formed by the pressure piston of the pressure cylinder unit; and an hydraulic compensating cylinder, associated with the pressure cylinder unit, for receiving or respectively dispensing hydraulic medium, which comes from the pressure cylinder unit or respectively is to be dispensed to said pre
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Karl Hehl
  • Publication number: 20040037915
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device, which is used in particular for the locking unit, the injection unit, or the ejector of an injection-moulding machine for plastics and which has a drive element that can be axially displaced by an electromotor and a hydraulic unit that can be displaced in the same direction as the drive element by being entrained by the latter. The hydraulic unit is a power-transmission element comprising two pistons which can be displaced in relation to one another and have working surfaces of different dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Jorg Dantlgraber
  • Patent number: 6695996
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting die stroke includes a plurality of adjustable helical springs, each of which is equipped with a displacement sensor, a rotation sleeve, and a rotation sleeve driver; a plurality of supporting rods; and a central processing unit. The apparatus is mounted between an oil-pressure cylinder and a top die movable above a bottom die. After the top and the bottom dies are closed to each other, deformation of the adjustable helical springs detected by the displacement sensors and errors measured at different points of molded product released from the dies are sent to the central processing unit for operation. Based on operation results, the central processing unit sends adjusting signals to the rotation sleeve drivers for the same to turn the rotation sleeves and thereby adjusts the helical springs to required modulus of elasticity for use in next cycle of molding process to reduce product errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Cheng-Ming Chou
  • Publication number: 20040022894
    Abstract: A molding machine closing apparatus has a plurality of actuators for moving and guiding a movable platen toward and away from a stationary platen and having respective cylinders mounted to the movable platen and extending therefrom away from the stationary platen and respective piston rods extending from the cylinders through passages in the movable platen toward the stationary platen to where the piston rods are connected to the stationary platen. Selected actuation of the actuators will either retract them so as to cause the movable platen to move toward the stationary platen closing the second mold part with the first mold part or expand them so as to cause the movable platen to move away from the stationary platen displacing the second mold part from the first mold part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Jong Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20040012122
    Abstract: In an injection compression-molding apparatus, a molded article is produced by setting molds 10 and 11 to an intermediate clamped state, and then by setting the molds 10 and 11 to a final clamped state by re-clamping the molds 10 and 11 to each other after injecting melted resin into a cavity defined by the molds 10 and 11. The apparatus includes a clamping mechanism and a parallelism retaining mechanism 20. The clamping mechanism has a mold-driving cylinder 7 for moving the movable mold 10 toward and away from the fixed mold 11, a guide engaging member 8, support panels 4, 5, etc. so as to selectively set the molds 10 and 11 to the intermediate clamped state and the final clamped state. The parallelism retaining mechanism 20 retains parallelism between the molds 10 and 11 in the intermediate clamped state by giving a corrective force to mold attaching surfaces of the clamping mechanism where the respective molds 10 and 11 are mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nagaoka, Toshiaki Hotaka
  • Publication number: 20040013765
    Abstract: A mold closing device for an injection molding machine for plastics includes a movable tool clamping plate having a first side opposedly oriented to a fixed tool clamping plate for cooperatively mating tool halves with the fixed tool clamping plate and having a second side distal from the fixed tool clamping plate. The movable tool clamping plate is mounted on a machine slide connected to a first and second guide shoe for traversing in an axial direction two guide rails associated with a respective edge of the movable tool clamping plate. The mold closing device also includes two bending elements. Each of the two bending elements connects a corner of the second side of the movable tool clamping plate to a guide shoe that is cooperating with one of the at least two guide rails. Each bending element is rigid perpendicular to the respective guide rail and includes a bending region that has a predeterminable elasticity in the axial direction to absorb a closing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Jens Kruger, Rudolf Kastel
  • Publication number: 20040013766
    Abstract: A fixed platen and a rear platen of an injection molding machine are connected to each other via tie bars. A coil spring is disposed between the tie bar and the rear platen such that the rear platen is urged in a direction away from the fixed platen. A mold thickness adjusting member such as a nut is also provided for causing the rear platen to move along the tie bar toward the fixed platen against the resilience of the urging means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsushi Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6666674
    Abstract: An injection molding machine is provided with a multi-piece machine base comprising at least two adjacently positioned components. A stationary mold carrier can be fixed to the one component of the machine base. To obtain an easy assembling which meets the demands during production, the components of the machine base can be connected underneath and in the vertical projection of the stationary mold carrier independently from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Karl Hehl
  • Publication number: 20030228391
    Abstract: An injection moulding machine (1) comprising a fixed mould half (4) mounted on a fixed plate (3) integral with the machine frame (2) and a moveable mould half (9) mounted on a moveable plate (8) supported in translation on the machine frame (2) and guided along guide columns (5) integral with the fixed plate (3), to pass from a mould closing position to a mould opening position, and a closing and clamping system (10) comprising clamping means, integral with the moveable plate (8) and acting on a portion of the guide columns (5) to lock the moveable plate (8) in the closing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Maurilio Meschia, Romano Castelli
  • Publication number: 20030215541
    Abstract: The clamping comprises a tie-bar which extends between a fixed and a movable platen of a molding machine, with respect to the first, and hydraulically operated locking means for engaging the tie bar and generating the clamping force. The locking means comprises a hydraulic cylinder having a hollow sleeve and piston provided with internal toothings, in axially spaced apart positions. The sleeve and piston unit is made to rotate and slide axially, to selectively engage and disengage with the toothed head at the end of the tie bar to allow step and fine adjustments of the position of the movable platen, in relation to the thickness of the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Hartmut Roetzel
  • Patent number: 6644950
    Abstract: An injection moulding machine comprising a mould mounting plate movable by an electric motor (3) by means of a closing device (1). There is provided a guard grille (4) having a gate (5), the opening of which interrupts the power supply to the electric motor (3) by actuation of at least one safety switch (6, 7, 8). There is also provided a braking device (10). The braking device (10) is arranged between the electric motor (3) and the closing device (1) and is provided with a monitoring device (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Engel Maschinenbau Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Stefan Eppich
  • Publication number: 20030203068
    Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a stationary platen, a movable platen constructed for movement relative to the stationary platen, at least one tie bar for tension-proof connection of the fixed and movable platens, and a traction transmitting securing device including a securing element, disposed on a rear side of one of the platens, for interacting with the tie bar within an engagement zone. The securing element and the tie bar are provided with a number of projections and recesses in axial spaced-apart relationship to establish a form-fitting connection, whereby the projections and the recesses are pressed together when exposed to a tensile stress and interlock at an axial clearance which increases along the engagement zone in axial direction corresponding to the tensile stress of the tie bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: KRAUSS-MAFFEI KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Walter Wohlrab
  • Patent number: 6638046
    Abstract: An apparatus for molding and a molding method utilizing a moveable mold platen which may hold, have affixed to, or carry a first portion of a mold or molds. A second or door platen may hold, have affixed to, or carry a second portion of a mold or molds. The door platen is placed in its closed position, and the moveable mold platen is brought up adjacent to it, so that the two portions of the mold are brought into engagement with one another. A desired molding material is injected into the mold cavity, after which the moveable platen is retracted, the door platen is opened, and the part is removed. A part to be encapsulated may be placed into the mold before the two portions of the mold are brought into engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignees: Libbey-Owens-Ford Co., Roll-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Gillen, Charles E. Ash, John M. Clark
  • Publication number: 20030194461
    Abstract: An elongate threaded rod member comprises a central portion, and two oppositely extending outer portions. The central portion is attached to the periphery of the first plate, is rotatable with respect to the first plate and is prevented from axial movement relative thereto. Each outer portion includes a threaded portion with each having the same threading pitch and density but being in opposite orientation. A threaded connector is secured to the periphery of each second plate with each threaded portion in screw-threaded relation. The threaded portions rotate within each bore an equal an opposite amount, equalizing the distances of each second mold plate from the first mold plate as the apparatus is moved between open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Vince Ciccone
  • Publication number: 20030190386
    Abstract: Means for advancing and retreating a movable die plate 9 toward and from a fixed die plate 5 includes a moving base 17 in which the upper surface thereof is connected integrally with the movable die plate 9 and a slide unit 21 is installed on the lower surface thereof; a pair of track rails 23 which are provided on the base 1 and form a linear guide by engaging with the slide unit 21; a ball screw shaft 35 which is supported in parallel with the track rails 23 by a bearing provided on the base 1 and in which axial direction is restrained rotatably; a servomotor 45 for driving the ball screw shaft 35; and a ball screw nut 37 which is installed on the lower surface of the moving base 17 so as to threadedly engage with the ball screw shaft 35, and the ball screw shaft 35 and the ball screw nut 37 are provided at an arbitrary position between the paired track rails 23 for linear guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Saburo Fujita, Junichi Yamamoto, Tosimichi Sugita
  • Patent number: 6626659
    Abstract: A molding method and apparatus is shown which utilizes a plasticizing or injection unit in combination with a horizontal booking press having a first or moveable mold platen carrying a first portion of a mold or molds, and a second, or fixable, door platen carrying a second portion of a mold or molds. The door platen swings open and closed on a hinge, and is fixable in its closed position. When the moveable mold platen is in its′ closed position adjacent the fixed position of the door platen, a mold cavity is formed by the first and second portions of the mold or molds, and material is injected into the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignees: Libbey-Owens-Ford Co., Roll-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Ash, John H. Gillen, John M. Clark
  • Patent number: 6626658
    Abstract: A ball spline nut is provided in each of tie bar penetrating holes formed in a moving platen constituting a mold clamping mechanism of an injection molding machine. On the other hand, a portion of a tie bar one end of which is fixed to a stationary platen, engaging with the tie bar penetrating hole in the moving platen, is made a ball spline shaft. Since there is no clearance between the ball spline shaft and the ball spline nut engaging therewith, in mold clamping and mold releasing processes, the posture of a movable mold attached to the moving platen with respect to a stationary mold attached to the stationary platen is always kept constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Ito, Koichi Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20030175381
    Abstract: In a two plate closing unit of an injection molding machine the stationary and the movable mold mounting plates are connected by columns, wherein the columns that traverse the fixed mold mounting plate are fixedly connected to a clamping cylinder in which the columns configured at their ends as pressure plungers configured for generating a clamping pressure reciprocate, and while some of the clamping plungers are dual action plungers, the clamping plungers are coupled to a spindle drive and drive unit, such that the spindle drive is at the same time the control drive for a stepped plunger and the closing force and the closing and opening motion is realized by a single drive which operates the spindle and the plunger cylinder unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Wohlrab
  • Publication number: 20030175380
    Abstract: The invention is based on a drive mechanism which is used particularly for the closing unit, the injection unit or the ejector of a plastics injection molding machine and which comprises an output element that can be moved in a straight line and an electric-motor drive unit having an electric motor and a piston-cylinder unit which has a first cylinder housing and a first hydraulic piston which, with a first active surface, bounds a first cylinder chamber filled with pressurized liquid and lies in the force chain between the output element of the electric-motor drive unit and the movable component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: J?ouml;rg Dantlgraber