公开(公告)号：US20210387391A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-16

申请号：US17326538

申请日：2021-05-21

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Brandon Michael Birchmeier ,  Brian Matthew Burns ,  Gene Michael Altonen

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/77

Abstract: Systems and approaches for controlling an injection molding machine having a mold forming a mold cavity and being controlled according to an injection cycle include injecting a molten polymer into the mold cavity according to a startup profile. A first sensor is used to measure at least one variable during the startup profile. The startup profile is terminated upon the at least one variable exceeding a first threshold. The molten polymer is then injected into the mold cavity according to a primary injection profile.

公开(公告)号：US11161286B2

公开(公告)日：2021-11-02

申请号：US16004873

申请日：2018-06-11

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Richard Lewis Montague, II ,  Rick Alan Pollard ,  Chow-Chi Huang ,  Gene Michael Altonen ,  Kimberly Nichole McConnell ,  Aaron Timothy Neate

IPC: B29C44/60 ,  B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/77 ,  B29C45/78 ,  B29C44/42 ,  B29K223/00 ,  B29K21/00 ,  B29K23/00 ,  B29K105/24

Abstract: Non-time dependent measured variables 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 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.

公开(公告)号：US11135754B2

公开(公告)日：2021-10-05

申请号：US16742242

申请日：2020-01-14

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：US11072102B2

公开(公告)日：2021-07-27

申请号：US15943786

申请日：2018-04-03

Applicant: IMFLUX, INC.

Inventor： Nicholas Mulkern Unkovic ,  Gene Michael Altonen ,  Daniel Lumpkin ,  William Francis Lawless, III ,  H. Kenneth Hanson, III ,  Chow-Chi Huang

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/40 ,  B29C45/78

Abstract: Non-time dependent measured variables are used to effectively determine an optimal ejection time of a part from a mold cavity. A system and/or approach may first measure at least one non-time dependent variable during an injection molding cycle. The part is ready to be ejected from the mold upon the measured variable reaching a threshold value indicative of, for example, a part temperature dropping below an activation temperature.

公开(公告)号：US20210187811A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-24

申请号：US17194807

申请日：2021-03-08

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

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

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  G05B19/042

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a molding clamping apparatus in an injection molding or other molding process is disclosed. The method includes creating a target strain profile, receiving a deviation limit, receiving a change in strain relating to a mold while it is closing from a first strain gauge, identifying a deviation from a target strain profile based on the output from the first strain gauge, determining that the deviation exceeds the deviation limit, and adjusting the rate or force of clamp movement. The target strain profile may have a first portion relating to a clamp closing process, a second portion relating to a filling process, and a third portion relating to a clamp opening process. The first portion relating to the clamp closing process may include an intermediate portion relating to a coining process having an intermediate clamp force setpoint.

公开(公告)号：US11010816B2

公开(公告)日：2021-05-18

申请号：US15247687

申请日：2016-08-25

Applicant: IMFLUX INC

Inventor： Gene Michael Altonen ,  Nathan Daniel Estruth ,  Dennis James Pratel

IPC: B29C45/77 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  B29K105/00

Abstract: A method of selecting thermoplastic materials for use with an injection molding apparatus that adjusts viscosity of a thermoplastic material based on an interpreted viscosity is provided. The method includes determining a target MFI for an identified plastic article based on performance properties. A thermoplastic material supply chain is analyzed and a first thermoplastic material having a first starting MFI and a first MFI range is identified and a second thermoplastic material having a second starting MFI and a second MFI range that is greater than the first MFI range is identified and is priced less than the first thermoplastic material. The second thermoplastic material is purchased. The second thermoplastic material is tested by providing the second thermoplastic material to the injection molding apparatus for multiple shot molding cycles with the second thermoplastic material in a molten state. The step of testing includes monitoring melt pressure of the molten second thermoplastic material using a sensor and providing a signal to a controller indicative of melt pressure. The controller controls introduction of an additive to the second thermoplastic material thereby changing a viscosity of the molten second thermoplastic material based on the signal. A molded article is formed by reducing a mold temperature of the second thermoplastic material within the at least one mold cavity.

公开(公告)号：US10974430B2

公开(公告)日：2021-04-13

申请号：US15968877

申请日：2018-05-02

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

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

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  G05B19/042 ,  B29K101/12

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a molding clamping apparatus in an injection molding or other molding process is disclosed. The method includes creating a target strain profile, receiving a deviation limit, receiving a change in strain relating to a mold while it is closing from a first strain gauge, identifying a deviation from a target strain profile based on the output from the first strain gauge, determining that the deviation exceeds the deviation limit, and adjusting the rate or force of clamp movement. The target strain profile may have a first portion relating to a clamp closing process, a second portion relating to a filling process, and a third portion relating to a clamp opening process. The first portion relating to the clamp closing process may include an intermediate portion relating to a coining process having an intermediate clamp force setpoint.

公开(公告)号：US20210101323A1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-08

申请号：US17125148

申请日：2020-12-17

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Chow-Chi Huang ,  Rick Alan Pollard ,  Gene Michael Altonen

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/77 ,  G01L5/00 ,  G01B5/30 ,  G01N3/30

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

公开(公告)号：US20190389112A1

公开(公告)日：2019-12-26

申请号：US16437164

申请日：2019-06-11

Applicant: IMFLUX INC

Inventor： Bryler Collins ,  Ethan David Stiefel ,  Gene Michael Altonen ,  Brandon Michael Birchmeier ,  Brian Matthew Burns

IPC: B29C45/77 ,  B29C45/03

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

公开(公告)号：US20190337208A1

公开(公告)日：2019-11-07

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.