Die closing unit with oversize injection molding die

In a die closing unit of an injection molding machine, defining a movement axis and having a stationary die carrier member and a movable die carrier member with opposing axially oriented mounting faces to which the component parts of a multi-plate injection molding die are removably attachable, which die is thereby closable and openable, as a result of an axial reciprocating movement of the movable die carrier member towards and away from the stationary die carrier member;

• in such a die closing unit, the combination comprising:
• at least two parallel cylindrical tie rods extending between said stationary and movable die carrier members, the rods being transversely spaced apart;
• an equal number of tie rod bores in each of the two die carrier members, the bores in one die carrier member forming a guiding engagement with the tie rods, while the bores in the other die carrier member form a seating engagement with end portions of the tie rods, the latter and said other die carrier member defining means for releasably connecting the tie rods to said die carrier member;
• a multi-plate injection molding die having at least one stationary die plate attached to the stationary die carrier member, and at least one movable die plate attached to the movable die carrier member, the die plates having such an extent in the transverse or radial sense that they enclose the tie rods, having tie rod bores engaging the latter, so as to be guided and centered on the tie rods;
• and
• means for forcibly retracting the tie rods from the connected die carrier member, after release of said connecting means, for the removal and insertion of die plates.