Method for controlling a rate or force of a clamp in a molding system using one or more strain gauges

A method of monitoring and controlling a molding clamping apparatus comprising:

• creating, by one or more processors, a target strain profile for a clamping and unclamping process of a molding apparatus;
• receiving, via an interface, an upper deviation limit and a lower deviation limit for the target strain profile;
• measuring and amplifying a change in strain experienced by a first mold side with a first portion of a strain gauge assembly, the first portion of the strain gauge assembly being secured to the first mold side and a second portion of the strain gauge assembly being secured to a second mold side, wherein the first portion of the strain gauge assembly is acted upon by the second portion of the strain gauge assembly when the first mold side and the second mold side are closed;
• receiving, as an output from the first portion of the strain gauge assembly, the amplified change in strain;
• receiving, as an output from a temperature sensor, temperature data taken from the first mold side on which the first portion of the strain gauge assembly is located;
• identifying, by the one or more processors, a deviation from the target strain profile based on the amplified change in strain provided as the output from the first portion of the strain gauge assembly and the temperature data provided as the output from the temperature sensor;
• comparing, by the one or more processors, the deviation to the upper deviation limit or the lower deviation limit;
• determining, by the one or more processors, that the deviation exceeds the upper deviation limit or is less than the lower deviation limit and adjusting a rate or a force of clamp movement.