Molded product manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus

A molded product manufacturing method using:

• a first mold which has a first surface;
• a second mold which has a second surface;
• and
• an intermediate mold which has an A surface, a B surface, a C surface, and a D surface each being capable of facing the first surface and the second surface, and which is capable of changing a surface facing the first surface and the second surface by rotating between the first mold and the second mold,
• the molded product manufacturing method comprising:
• a first molding step of molding a first component and a second component between the first mold and the first surface by closing the first mold and the intermediate mold and injecting molten resin into the molds in a state where the first surface is caused to face the first mold;
• a second molding step of molding a fifth component between the second surface and the D surface and engaging the second component with the first component held on the A surface by closing the second mold and the intermediate mold and injecting molten resin into the molds in a state where the D surface is caused to face the second surface;
• and
• a third molding step of welding the first component, the second component, and the fifth component to mold a first integral molded product by closing the second mold and the intermediate mold and injecting molten resin into the molds in a state where the A surface which holds the first component and the second component engaged with each other in the second molding step is caused to face the second surface which holds the fifth component molded in the second molding step.

A manufacturing apparatus comprising:

• a first mold which is connected to a first injection unit for injecting a resin and has a first surface;
• a second mold which is connected to a second injection unit for injecting a resin and has a second surface;
• and
• an intermediate mold which is provided between the first mold and the second mold and has four surfaces of an A surface, a B surface, a C surface, and a D surface each being capable of facing the first surface and the second surface, wherein
• on the first surface and the A surface, mold pieces which are capable of molding a first component and a second component by being closed in a state of being caused to face each other, through injection of molten resin from the first injection unit are disposed,
• on the first surface and the B surface, mold pieces which are capable of molding a third component and a fourth component by being closed in a state of being caused to face each other, through injection of molten resin from the first injection unit are disposed,
• on the second surface, a mold piece which is capable of welding the first component and the second component to mold a first integral molded product by being closed in a state of being caused to face the A surface, through injection of the molten resin from the second injection unit is disposed, and
• on the second surface, a mold piece which is capable of welding the third component and the fourth component to mold a second integral molded product which is different from the first integral molded product by being closed in a state of being caused to face the B surface, through injection of the molten resin from the second injection unit is disposed.