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：US10427342B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-01

申请号：US15692467

申请日：2017-08-31

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Gene Michael Altonen ,  Brian Matthew Burns ,  H. Kenneth Hanson, III

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/77

Abstract: An injection molding machine uses a controller to effectively control its operation. The controller may determine and/or receive information regarding the machine's maximum load capacity, and may also determine a current operational load value of the machine. The controller also may determine a number of set points used to operate the machine. The controller may cause the machine to operate at these set points, thereby resulting in the machine operating at or below the maximum load value by adjusting any number of machine parameters associated with the injection molding machine.

公开(公告)号：US10399264B2

公开(公告)日：2019-09-03

申请号：US15448992

申请日：2017-03-03

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

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

IPC: G01N3/30 ,  B29C45/76 ,  G01B5/30 ,  B29C45/77 ,  G01L5/00 ,  B29K101/12

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：US10281891B2

公开(公告)日：2019-05-07

申请号：US15378932

申请日：2016-12-14

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Brian Matthew Burns ,  Gene Michael Altonen

IPC: G05B19/042 ,  G05B11/42 ,  B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/77

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：US09937646B2

公开(公告)日：2018-04-10

申请号：US14570289

申请日：2014-12-15

Applicant: iMFLUX Inc.

Inventor： Gene Michael Altonen ,  Charles John Berg, Jr. ,  Ralph Edwin Neufarth ,  Gary Francis Schiller

IPC: B29C45/27 ,  B29C45/77 ,  B29C45/26 ,  B29K101/12

CPC classification number: B29C45/27 ,  B29C45/2704 ,  B29C45/2737 ,  B29C45/77 ,  B29C2045/2687 ,  B29C2945/76498 ,  B29C2945/76859 ,  B29K2101/12 ,  B29K2905/02 ,  B29K2995/0013 ,  B29K2995/007

Abstract: A low constant pressure injection molding machine forms molded parts by injecting molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity at low constant pressures of 6,000 psi and lower. As a result, the low constant pressure injection molding machine includes a mold formed of easily machineable material that is less costly and faster to manufacture than typical injection molds.

公开(公告)号：US09694527B2

公开(公告)日：2017-07-04

申请号：US14861282

申请日：2015-09-22

Applicant: iMFLUX Inc.

Inventor： Gene Michael Altonen ,  Michael Thomas Dodd

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/77 ,  B29C33/38 ,  B29C45/74 ,  B29C45/78 ,  B29K101/00

CPC classification number: B29C45/77 ,  B29C33/3842 ,  B29C45/74 ,  B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/762 ,  B29C45/78 ,  B29C2045/776 ,  B29C2945/76498 ,  B29C2945/76501 ,  B29C2945/76535 ,  B29C2945/76545 ,  B29C2945/76561 ,  B29C2945/76688 ,  B29C2945/76859 ,  B29C2945/76936 ,  B29C2945/76939 ,  B29K2101/00

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.

公开(公告)号：US09475211B2

公开(公告)日：2016-10-25

申请号：US13774571

申请日：2013-02-22

Applicant: IMFLUX INC

Inventor： Gene Michael Altonen ,  Ralph Edwin Neufarth ,  John Boyet Stevens ,  Robert Lawrence Prosise ,  James Edward Poland ,  John Moncrief Layman ,  Danny David Lumpkin

IPC: B29C45/73 ,  B29C33/02 ,  B29C45/78 ,  B29C45/23 ,  B29C45/50 ,  B29C45/40

CPC classification number: B29C33/02 ,  B29C45/23 ,  B29C45/4005 ,  B29C45/5008 ,  B29C45/73 ,  B29C45/7312 ,  B29C45/78

Abstract: An injection mold assembly for a high output consumer product injection molding machine, the injection mold assembly having a simplified cooling system. The simplified cooling system has a cooling complexity factor of less than three, preferably less than two, more preferably less than one.

公开(公告)号：US09321206B2

公开(公告)日：2016-04-26

申请号：US14659509

申请日：2015-03-16

Applicant: iMFLUX Inc.

Inventor： Gene Michael Altonen ,  Kimberly Nichole McConnell ,  Vincent Sean Breidenbach ,  Milko Georgiev Gergov

IPC: B29C45/77 ,  B29C45/76 ,  B29L31/00

CPC classification number: B29C45/77 ,  B29C45/7646 ,  B29C2945/76006 ,  B29C2945/76066 ,  B29C2945/76257 ,  B29C2945/76381 ,  B29C2945/76538 ,  B29C2945/76936 ,  B29L2031/00

Abstract: A method and a machine that account for changes in material properties of molten plastic material during an injection run. If viscosity of the molten plastic material changes during an injection run, a controller alters an injection pressure to ensure that molten plastic material fills a mold cavity within a correct amount of time to prevent part flaws such as short shots or flashing.