Abstract:
A system for forming a plastic article, the system comprising a preform injection molding apparatus, comprising a mold, a plastic melt injection system, a sensor, and a controller, wherein: the first mold portion is made of a material having a thermal conductivity between about 52 watts per meter kelvin and about 385 watts per meter kelvin; the controller is configured to control the injection element to maintain the molten thermoplastic material at a substantially constant melt pressure, during filling of the mold cavities, wherein the substantially constant melt pressure is between about 2.76 megapascals (400 psi) and about 68.95 megapascals (10,000 psi); and the preform injection molding apparatus is designed to have a useful life of between one million and ten million injection molding cycles.
Abstract:
An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects.
Abstract:
A feed system for an injection molding machine. The feed system includes a first part with a first channel, and a second part with a second channel. The first channel and the second channel together form a molten plastic feed conduit when they are engaged. The first part and the second part are unbonded to one another.
Abstract:
A feed system for an injection molding method and machine includes a first part including a first channel, and a second part including a second channel, the first channel and the second channel forming a molten plastic feed conduit when the first part is located adjacent to the second part. A joint is formed between the first part and the second part along the first channel and the second channel and the joint is one of a sintered joint, a welded joint, and a brazed joint.
Abstract:
A method of forming a preform, which is configured to be subjected to a subsequent forming process, the method comprising: providing a mold with a plurality of mold cavities, wherein the mold is made of a material having a thermal conductivity between about 52 watts per meter Kelvin and about 385 watts per meter Kelvin.
Abstract:
A substantially constant pressure injection molding method and machine that forms molded parts by injecting molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity at a substantially constant pressure. As a result, the mold cavity is filled with molten thermoplastic material by advancing a continuous flow front of thermoplastic material from a gate to an end of the mold cavity.
Abstract:
An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. When molding according to the retrofit mold cycle, the injection molding machine uses lower temperatures, when compared to molding according to the original mold cycle.
Abstract:
An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. The retrofit mold cycle has a maximum injection pressure that is less than a maximum injection pressure of the original mold cycle. The retrofit mold cycle can also have more constant injection pressures than the original mold cycle.
Abstract:
An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. When molding according to the retrofit mold cycle, the injection molding machine can obtain a faster cycle time.
Abstract:
Injection molding at substantially constant pressure with the use of rapid heating techniques, such as induction heating, at strategic locations within a mold to heat molding surfaces in a manner that mitigates problems typically associated with flow filling challenges.