公开(公告)号：US11358317B2

公开(公告)日：2022-06-14

申请号：US16401777

申请日：2019-05-02

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Bryler Collins ,  Gene Michael Altonen ,  Chow-Chi Huang ,  Brandon Michael Birchmeier ,  Brian Matthew Burns

IPC: B29C45/77

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.

公开(公告)号：US11351707B2

公开(公告)日：2022-06-07

申请号：US16854598

申请日：2020-04-21

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Milko Gergov ,  Gene Michael Altonen ,  Herbert Kenneth Hanson, III ,  William Francis Lawless, III

IPC: B29C44/02 ,  B29C45/18 ,  B29C45/76

Abstract: An additive injection system for use in injection molding machines to inject additive materials, such as fluids or powders, downstream of a nozzle of the injection molding machine. The additive injection unit has an additive tank to store or contain additive material and additive injectors that inject an additive material into an injection molding machine. A pump pumps the additive material from the tank through a common manifold connected to the additive injectors to be injected into the injection molding machine. A controller controls operation of the additive injection device and one or more sensors coupled to the additive injection device can provide feedback to the controller.

公开(公告)号：US11225006B2

公开(公告)日：2022-01-18

申请号：US16432403

申请日：2019-06-05

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Brian Matthew Burns ,  Gene Michael Altonen

IPC: B29C45/77 ,  B29C45/76

Abstract: Systems and approaches for controlling an injection molding machine and a mold forming a mold cavity and being controlled according to an injection cycle. The systems and methods include analyzing a model of at least one of the injection molding machine, the mold, and a molten material to determine initial values for one or more control parameters of the injection molding machine, and executing a run of injection cycles at the injection molding machine; measuring operation of the injection molding machine during a particular injection cycle of the run of injection cycles; determining one or more operational parameters exceed a threshold; and upon determining that the one or more operational parameters exceed the threshold, adjusting the one or more control parameters for subsequent injection cycles of the run of injection cycles.

公开(公告)号：US20210387390A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-16

申请号：US17326597

申请日：2021-05-21

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Brandon Michael Birchmeier ,  Brian Matthew Burns ,  Gene Michael Altonen ,  William Francis Lawless, III

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/46 ,  B29C45/47

Abstract: Systems and approaches for controlling an injection molding machine having a mold forming a mold cavity include feeding a molten polymer into a barrel containing a screw disposed in a first position, advancing the screw a first instance, from the first position to a second position, to inject the molten polymer into the mold cavity to form a molded part, and ejecting a first molded part or a first set of molded parts from the mold cavity. Further, the screw is advanced a second instance, from the second position to a third position, to inject the molten polymer into the mold cavity to form an additional molded part. A second molded part or a second set of molded parts is ejected from the mold cavity. After the second advancing instance, a recovery profile is commenced in which the screw is returned to the first position.

公开(公告)号：US20210206041A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-08

申请号：US17125277

申请日：2020-12-17

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Gene Michael Altonen ,  Bryler Collins ,  Ethan David Stiefel ,  Herbert Kenneth Hanson, III ,  William Francis Lawless, III

IPC: B29C45/77

Abstract: A method and system for adjusting melt pressure in an injection molding material that allows calculating a melt pressure of a molten plastic material to be injected and based on the calculated melt pressure and a desired melt pressure adjusting operation of an injection molding machine. This control of an injection molding cycle using the method and system of plastic melt pressure determination allows production of parts of increased quality and consistency.

公开(公告)号：US11040472B2

公开(公告)日：2021-06-22

申请号：US15992855

申请日：2018-05-30

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： William Francis Lawless, III ,  Rick Alan Pollard ,  Gene Michael Altonen ,  Chow-Chi Huang

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/00 ,  B29K105/24 ,  B29C45/77 ,  B29K23/00 ,  B29K105/04

Abstract: Non-time dependent calculated variables based on measured strain are used to effectively determine an optimal hold profile for an expanding crosslinking polymer part in a mold cavity. A system and/or approach may first inject molten expanding crosslinking polymer into a mold cavity, then measure strain at the mold cavity or at another location within the injection molding system, and then calculate at least one non-time dependent variable during an injection molding cycle. Next, the system and/or method commences a hold profile for the part, and upon completing the hold profile, the part is ejected from the mold cavity, whereupon a cure profile is commenced.

公开(公告)号：US10994461B2

公开(公告)日：2021-05-04

申请号：US16513511

申请日：2019-07-16

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Brian Matthew Burns ,  Gene Michael Altonen

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/77 ,  B29C45/17 ,  B29C45/72

Abstract: A remote controller can be provided on any apparatus that employs feedback control from a native controller to add functionality to the apparatus where the native controller is not capable of providing such functionality independently.

公开(公告)号：US10583600B2

公开(公告)日：2020-03-10

申请号：US15378874

申请日：2016-12-14

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Brian Matthew Burns ,  Gene Michael Altonen

IPC: B29C45/77 ,  B29C45/76 ,  B29C31/04 ,  B29C45/18 ,  B29C45/64 ,  B29C45/82 ,  B29K101/12

Abstract: A remote controller can be provided on any apparatus that employs feedback control from a native controller to add functionality to the apparatus where the native controller is not capable of providing such functionality independently.

公开(公告)号：US10538023B2

公开(公告)日：2020-01-21

申请号：US15616240

申请日：2017-06-07

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： William Francis Lawless, III ,  Rick Alan Pollard ,  Gene Michael Altonen ,  Brian Matthew Burns

IPC: B29C45/78 ,  B29C45/77 ,  B29C45/27

Abstract: A hot runner injection molding apparatus, and method of use, is disclosed in which strain gauges are provided in the temperature zones of the hot runner injection molding apparatus and a hot runner controller creates a target strain profile, detects deviations from the target strain profile in any temperature zone based on the strain readings provided by the strain gauges in each temperature zone, and instructs correction of deviations from the target strain profile in any deviating temperature zone by adjusting the heat produced by a heater or heaters in the deviating temperature zone. The target strain profile may be based on a median or average of strain readings provided over time by the strain gauges in each temperature zone. A hollow installation tube for placing the strain gauges in the hot runner injection molding apparatus is also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20200001511A1

公开(公告)日：2020-01-02

申请号：US16432403

申请日：2019-06-05

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Brian Matthew Burns ,  Gene Michael Altonen

IPC: B29C45/77

Abstract: Systems and approaches for controlling an injection molding machine and a mold forming a mold cavity and being controlled according to an injection cycle. The systems and methods include analyzing a model of at least one of the injection molding machine, the mold, and a molten material to determine initial values for one or more control parameters of the injection molding machine, and executing a run of injection cycles at the injection molding machine; measuring operation of the injection molding machine during a particular injection cycle of the run of injection cycles; determining one or more operational parameters exceed a threshold; and upon determining that the one or more operational parameters exceed the threshold, adjusting the one or more control parameters for subsequent injection cycles of the run of injection cycles.