Small format reaction injection molding machines and components for use therein

A reaction injection molding machine comprising:

• a. a housing comprising an interior portion and an exterior portion;
• b. at least one reactant materials tank engagement station in operational engagement with a first reactant material tank comprising part A of an injection molding process and a second reactant material tank comprising part B of the injection molding process, wherein the first and second reactant material tanks are each, independently, configured to sealingly engage with a corresponding engagement port in operational communication with the at least one reactant materials tank engagement station, thereby providing a first reactant material fluid stream and a second reactant material fluid stream, wherein each of the first and second reactant material tanks are configured to hold up to about three gallons each of reactant material, and wherein the first and second reactant material tanks are sized to fit substantially within at least some of the housing of the reaction injection molding machine;
• c. a molding support framework comprising a first mold support plate and a second mold support plate, wherein:
• i. the first and second mold support plates are in respective operational engagement with first and second mold engagement plates;
• ii. the first mold engagement plate is configured to securably engage with a first mold part, and the second mold engagement plate is configured to securably engage with a second mold part to provide an assembled mold suitable for injection molding when the first and second mold parts are sealingly engaged;
• and
• iii. the molding support framework:
• 1. is configured to move the second mold engagement plate to clamp the second mold part against the first mold part, thereby forming the assembled mold;
• and
• 2. comprises a spring release assembly configured to apply force to the first mold engagement plate opposite the first mold part, where the applied force facilitates disengagement of a distal end of a mixing nozzle from the assembled mold;
• d. an injection molding manifold in operational engagement with each of the first and second reactant material fluid streams;
• and
• e. an injection molding nozzle engagement station configurable for operational engagement of a proximal end of the mixing nozzle with the injection molding manifold and the distal end of the mixing nozzle with the assembled mold.