Injection molding machine with mold changing and mold preconditioning device

In an injection molding machine which includes a plurality of interchangeable injection molding dies and is equipped with die temperature conditioning means, including means for circulating conditioning fluid and for controlling the temperature of the conditioning fluid, which machine further includes a machine base carrying a horizontally oriented die closing unit with a stationary die carrier member, a movable die carrier member, and a drive assembly producing horizontal die opening and die closing movements along the longitudinal center axis of the die closing unit, and wherein the stationary and movable die carrier members have parallel vertical die mounting faces and include means for releasably clamping to said die mounting faces the two halves of a succession of said injection molding dies which, for this purpose, have standardized oversize back plates which are engageable by said clamping means;

• in such a machine, a device for mechanically exchanging injection molding die assemblies in the die closing unit and for preconditioning a die assembly in an assigned waiting position, prior to insertion into said die-closing unit, while another die assembly remains in service, in its normal operating position between the die carrier members, the device comprising in combination:
• a translation table arranged alongside the die closing unit, the translation table defining two die emplacements equidistant from the center axis of the die closing unit, for the support of two die assemblies in waiting position at the same level at which a die assembly is held in its operating position, the translation table being movable horizontally, so that either of the two die emplacements can be brought to coincide with a transfer position in transverse horizontal alignment with the operating position of the die assembly;
• a translation drive connected to the translation table for the creation of translational movements of the translation table;
• means defined by each of the two die emplacements on the translation table for guiding a die.assembly for horizontal transfer movements at right angles to the center axis;
• means defined by the stationary and movable die carrier members for supporting a die assembly in its operating position between said die carrier members, when not attached to the mounting faces of said members, and for guiding said die assembly for horizontal transfer movements at right angles to the center axis;
• a transfer drive engageable with a die assembly in said die emplacement coincident with the transfer position, so as to entrain said die assembly in a transfer movement between the transfer position and the operating position;
• two separate sets of conditioning fluid lines associated with the two die emplacements on the translation table, each set of conditioning fluid supply lines being adapted to connect a die assembly in waiting position to said temperature conditioning means;
• and wherein
• each die emplacement has its guide means so arranged that, in the transfer position, said die emplacement cooperates with the support and guide means of the two die carrier members to define a substantially continuous straight-line transfer path for the die assembly between the transfer position and the operating position;
• the lines of each set of supply lines have flexible length portions terminating in line couplings by which said lines are releasably connectable to a die assembly;
• and
• the flexible length portions of each set of supply lines begin at a point in space which is so positioned in relation to the operating position and the waiting position defined by the associated die emplacement that the lines of each set of supply lines, when connected to a die assembly, accommodate the movements of said die assembly between its waiting position and the operating position, remaining connected for fluid circulation in both positions and during movement therebetween.