Abstract:
A hot runner process controller configured to monitor the status and operation of a hot runner system to autonomously generate information to improve the quality of injection molding process of a hot runner system having an inlet nozzle, one or more manifolds and one or more nozzles with actuator or without actuator, and one or more heating elements, the hot runner process controller is self-operating, and independent from the injection molding machine, includes: one or more sensors located on, in or at the hot runner system to detect the status and/or the operation of the hot runner system, and a processing unit and a memory. The processing unit is connected to the one or more sensors, wherein the memory stores data and program codes. The processing unit is configured to load and execute the program code to compare sensor information with the stored data and to determine if the hot runner system is in an operable status, and in case the hot runner system is in an operable status, configured to generate status information to activate the one or more heating elements and/or the one or more actuators enabling a production operation of the injection molding machine. In case the hot runner system is not in an operable status, configured to generate status information to deactivate the one or more heating elements and/or close or deactivate the one or more actuators disabling a production operation of the injection molding machine.
Abstract:
An injection molding apparatus comprising a manifold, an actuator having a piston that divides an enclosed actuator housing into upstream and downstream actuator drive chambers, the piston having an internal piston chamber and a piston bore that communicates flow of the drive fluid between one of the upstream or downstream actuator drive chambers and the internal piston chamber, a flow rate controller adapted to enable flow of drive fluid between one of the upstream or downstream actuator drive chambers and a source of drive fluid at a first low rate of flow over a selected first portion of the stroke length of the piston and at a second high rate of flow over a selected second portion of the stroke length of the piston.
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of a fluid mold material comprising: a manifold, an actuator interconnected to a valve pin, a position sensor that senses position of the valve pin, a controller that controls movement of the actuator according to instructions that instruct the actuator to drive the valve pin upstream at one or more selected intermediate velocities in response to receipt by the controller of a signal from the position sensor that the valve pin is disposed in the one or more intermediate upstream gate open positions.
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of mold material to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising: an injection molding machine and a manifold; an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end; a valve system in fluid communication with the actuator to drive the actuator at one or more rates of travel, the valve system having a start position, one or more intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the start position holding the valve pin in a gate closed position; a controller that instructs the valve system to move from the start position to the one or more intermediate drive rate positions and to remain in the one or more intermediate drive rate positions for one or more corresponding predetermined amounts of time.
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of mold material to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising: an injection molding machine and a manifold; an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end; a valve system in fluid communication with the actuator to drive the actuator at one or more rates of travel, the valve system having a start position, one or more intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the start position holding the valve pin in a gate closed position; a controller that instructs the valve system to move from the start position to the one or more intermediate drive rate positions and to remain in the one or more intermediate drive rate positions for one or more corresponding predetermined amounts of time and further drives the valve system to move from the one or more intermediate drive rate positions to the high drive rate position on expiration of the one or more predetermined amounts of time.
Abstract:
A system for varying an eyelet-to-eyelet distance of a vehicle. The system includes top and bottom mounting components defining the eyelet-to-eyelet distance, the top mounting component being operatively connected to a frame of the vehicle, and the bottom mounting component being operatively connected to a supporting component of the vehicle. The system also includes a telescopic component disposed about a housing of at least one of the top and bottom components, the telescopic component being displaceable with respect to said housing in response to a given input of a driver of the vehicle, for varying a distance between the top and mounting components, and thus varying the eyelet-to-eyelet distance of the vehicle. Also described is a vehicle including such a system, and a method of operating associated thereto.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of polymer material in a sequential injection molding process. In one embodiment, the method provides: delivering a first shot of a first material simultaneously to a plurality of mold cavities; independently sensing for each cavity a property that is indicative of a volume or flow of material that is delivered to the corresponding cavity during the step of delivering the first shot; independently stopping the step of delivering the first shot to one or more cavities according to a program that uses as a variable a signal indicative of the property sensed for the corresponding cavity during delivery of the first shot; and delivering a second shot of a second material simultaneously to the cavities subsequent to the step of stopping the step of delivering the first shot.
Abstract:
An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a melt channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material from a source. A nozzle having a nozzle channel is coupled to the manifold for receiving the melt stream from the manifold melt channel. The nozzle includes a heater. A mold cavity is in communication with the nozzle channel, the mold cavity for receiving the melt stream from the nozzle channel through a mold gate. A temperature sensor is disposed at the manifold for use in adjusting the heater of the nozzle or for use in adjusting a heater of an inlet body.
Abstract:
A plug for use with a residual hole of a passageway in a hot runner system manifold may include an external surface for sealing with the residual hole, wherein a portion of the external surface is in direct contact with the resin in the passageway, a cavity having an internal surface that does not contact the resin, and a sensor secured to the internal surface using chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, plasma spray, or an adhesive. An ejector pin may include a sensor secured to the sidewall using chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, plasma spray, or an adhesive. A mold may include two inserts each an external surface and an internal surface defining a mold cavity. A sensing element may be secured to the external surface the first or second mold inserts wherein the sensing element does not contact the internal surface of the mold cavity.
Abstract:
A machine for making formed articles of plastic or rubber, such as an injection molding machine, extruder or blow molding machine, includes a machine control, and a plurality of electric components which are operatively connected through wireless communication to the machine control. The machine control as well as the electric components have each devices for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves.