公开(公告)号：US20230339158A1

公开(公告)日：2023-10-26

申请号：US18214817

申请日：2023-06-27

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： William Francis Lawless, III ,  H. Kenneth Hanson, III ,  Gene Michael Altonen ,  Chow-Chi Huang

IPC: B29C45/17

CPC classification number: B29C45/1732 ,  B29C45/1704 ,  B29C45/174 ,  B29C2045/1728 ,  B29C2945/76006 ,  B29C2945/76083 ,  B29C2945/7611 ,  B29C2945/76137 ,  B29C2945/76498 ,  B29C2945/76779 ,  B29C2945/76812 ,  B29C2945/76859 ,  B29C2945/76933

Abstract: A controller for an injection molding system is in communication with a melt flow control unit, a gas assist control unit, and a gas counter pressure control unit. The controller can effect real-time adjustments to gas assist pressure and/or gas counter pressure as a function of melt pressure or flow front position.

公开(公告)号：US20230191676A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-22

申请号：US18112840

申请日：2023-02-22

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

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

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

CPC classification number: B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/77 ,  G01L5/0061 ,  G01B5/30 ,  G01N3/30 ,  B29C2945/76006 ,  B29C2945/7626 ,  B29C2945/76381 ,  B29C2945/76481 ,  B29C2945/76545 ,  B29C2945/76933 ,  B29K2101/12

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：US11642821B2

公开(公告)日：2023-05-09

申请号：US17321908

申请日：2021-05-17

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

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

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

CPC classification number: B29C45/762 ,  B29C45/0001 ,  B29C45/766 ,  B29C45/7626 ,  B29C45/77 ,  B29C2945/76006 ,  B29C2945/76257 ,  B29C2945/76287 ,  B29C2945/76384 ,  B29C2945/76414 ,  B29C2945/76481 ,  B29C2945/76561 ,  B29C2945/76622 ,  B29C2945/76735 ,  B29C2945/76862 ,  B29C2945/76882 ,  B29C2945/76886 ,  B29C2945/76896 ,  B29C2945/76933 ,  B29C2945/76943 ,  B29K2023/083 ,  B29K2105/04 ,  B29K2105/24

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：US20210268705A1

公开(公告)日：2021-09-02

申请号：US17321908

申请日：2021-05-17

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

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

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

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：US10894349B2

公开(公告)日：2021-01-19

申请号：US15816457

申请日：2017-11-17

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： William Francis Lawless, III ,  Chow-Chi Huang ,  Gene Michael Altonen ,  Brandon Michael Birchmeier

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/77 ,  B29C45/00 ,  B29C45/28

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a sequential valve gate molding 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 first valve gate from a first strain gauge, identifying whether a deviation exists from a first portion of the target strain profile based on the output from the first strain gauge, determining whether any existing deviation exceeds the deviation limit, and adjusting the position of a first valve gate pin in the first valve gate if it does. The method may further include control of subsequent valve gates. Multiple strain gauges may be used to control a single valve gate, and/or each strain gauge may control more than one valve gate.

公开(公告)号：US10737420B2

公开(公告)日：2020-08-11

申请号：US16259624

申请日：2019-01-28

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Frank Gustaaf Debruin ,  Chow-Chi Huang ,  Michael Thomas Dodd

IPC: B29C45/17 ,  B29C45/63 ,  B08B3/02 ,  B08B3/08 ,  B08B5/02 ,  B08B9/00 ,  B29C45/20 ,  B29K105/00

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for an injection molding system has a nozzle adapter with one or more vent holes therein. A porous metal insert is provided in fluid communication with at least one of the vent holes. The porous metal insert is also in fluid communication with a flow channel through the nozzle assembly. As molten polymeric material advances through the flow channel from a barrel to a mold assembly, gases entrained in the molten polymeric material are vented through the porous metal insert and escape through the one or more vent holes. Pressurized air may be introduced through the vent holes, such as by one or more blow-back modules, to unclog pores of the one or more porous metal inserts between shots of the injection molding system.

公开(公告)号：US20200086542A1

公开(公告)日：2020-03-19

申请号：US16562530

申请日：2019-09-06

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Bryler Collins ,  William Francis Lawless, III ,  Gene Michael Altonen ,  Chow-Chi Huang

IPC: B29C45/77

Abstract: A method for controlling an injection molding process based upon an actual plastic melt pressure including identifying an optimal actual plastic melt pressure curve over time based on a baseline cycle, and adjusting in a subsequent cycle an injection pressure in order to cause a monitored pressure of the molten thermoplastic material to follow the optimal actual plastic melt pressure curve over time. A method for controlling an injection molding process based upon an plastic melt pressure setpoint adjusted using a cavity pressure, wherein the cavity pressure is multiplied by a process factor. Further, a method for controlling an injection molding process using real time cavity pressure including identifying an optimal cavity pressure curve over time based on a baseline cycle and adjusting, in a subsequent cycle, an injection pressure in order to cause a monitored cavity pressure to follow the optimal cavity pressure curve over time.

公开(公告)号：US20180281257A1

公开(公告)日：2018-10-04

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 ,  B29C45/78 ,  B29C45/40

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：US11623378B2

公开(公告)日：2023-04-11

申请号：US17314544

申请日：2021-05-07

Applicant: IMFLUX INC.

Inventor： Milko Gergov ,  Chow-Chi Huang ,  Steve Andrew Burns ,  Rick Alan Pollard

IPC: B29C45/76 ,  B29C45/77 ,  B29C45/78 ,  B29C45/17

Abstract: A system includes a cavity, an injection nozzle configured to inject material into the cavity, and a plurality of sensors at sensor locations. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure parameters at one of the sensor locations. The system lacks a strain gauge. The system further includes a controller configured to control a flow rate of the injection of material into the cavity. The controller is configured to receive the measured parameters and compare the received information to predetermined curves. The controller is configured to control the flow rate when the measured parameters deviate from the predetermined curves.

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.