Barrel assembly

Abstract

The invention relates broadly to injection molding machines and more particularly to a novel barrel assembly for use in an injection unit of an injection molding machine. Barrels are conventionally mounted at an end in a carriage of an injection unit. Axial carriage force is directed along the entire length of the barrel which requires a thick barrel wall to withstand the axial carriage force. A barrel assembly is disclosed having a first barrel coupler and a second barrel coupler. The first barrel coupler secures the barrel intermediate the ends of the barrel to a carriage. The second barrel coupler retains an end of the barrel in the carriage preventing rotation of the barrel during operation. The barrel section between the first barrel coupler and an end of the barrel is isolated from axial carriage force in operation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.