Flow control of an injection molding system

A method for controlling an injection molding system having a first actuator system and a second actuator system configured to be controlled in a cascade, the first actuator system having a first piston drive comprising a first piston to open or close a first molding nozzle, a first electronically adjustable flow control valve connected to the first piston drive to throttle a pressure fluid driving the first piston drive, a first electronic flow sensor for detecting flow of the pressure fluid driving the first piston drive, the second actuator system having a second piston drive comprising a second piston to open or close a second molding nozzle, a second electronically adjustable flow control valve connected to the second piston drive to throttle a pressure fluid driving the second piston drive, a second electronic flow sensor for detecting flow of the pressure fluid driving the second piston, and a controller connected to the first electronically adjustable flow control valve, and the second electronically adjustable flow control valve, comprising steps of:

• determining based on information from at least one of the first electronic flow sensor and the second electronic flow sensor, the beginning of an injection molding cycle;
• and
• controlling the throttle of the first electronically adjustable flow control valve during the injection molding cycle by the controller thereby controlling the position, the speed and the timing of the movement of the first piston drive and thus the first molding nozzle;
• wherein the controller is additionally connected to the first electronic flow sensor and to the second electronic flow sensor of the second actuator system, and wherein the first electronically adjustable flow control valve is configured to be controlled by information of the first electronic flow sensor and the second electronic flow sensor.