Support for quick mold changing
AssigneeHusky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
InventorsJohn DiSimone, Paul Brown, Christopher Huntington
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to an injection molding machine having a novel key/slot arrangement for facilitating installation and removal of a central mold portion. The novel key/slot arrangement includes non-uniform width key elements on frame members which support the central mold portion and non-uniform width slots in side portions of the central mold portion for engaging the key elements. The machine further includes a novel rack/gear drive arrangement for insuring a proper positioning of the mold elements at all times.
Claims18
An injection molding machine comprising:
- a stationary platen;
- upper and lower tiebars extending from said stationary platen;
- an outer platen along said tiebars;
- a movable central mold portion and a non-uniform width slot in each sidewall of said central portion;
- means for moving said central mold portion to and from an installed position;
- means for supporting said central portion so as to facilitate its quick removal and installation;
- said supporting means including a movable frame on each side of said movable central portion;
- and
- each said movable frame having means for engaging one of said slots on said central portion as said central mold portion is being moved from and to said installed position.
An injection molding machine which comprises:
- a stationary platen;
- upper and lower tiebars extending from said stationary platen;
- an outer platen movable along said tiebars;
- a movable central mold portion and a non-uniform width slot in each sidewall of said central portion;
- means for supporting said central portion so as to facilitate its quick removal and installation;
- said supporting means including a movable frame on each side of said movable central portion;
- each said movable frame having means for engaging one of said slots on said central portion;
- said stationary platen having a first mold plate attached thereto, said outer platen having a second mold plate attached thereto, and said movable central portion comprising a stack mold having third and fourth mold plates for respectively mating with said first and second mold plates;
- and
- said slot engaging means on each said frame vertically positioning said stack mold relative to the center line of said machine.
An injection molding machine which comprises:
- a station platen;
- upper and lower tiebars extending from said stationary platen;
- an outer platen movable along said tiebars;
- a movable central mold portion and a non-uniform width slot in each sidewall of said central portion;
- means for supporting said central portion so as to facilitate its quick removal and installation;
- said supporting means including a movable frame on each side of said movable central portion;
- each said movable frame having means for engaging one of said slots on said central portion;
- and
- each said slot having a closed upper end and an open bottom end and said width of said slot increasing in a non-uniform manner from said closed end to said open end so as to provide easy engagement and disengagement of said central portion during its installation and removal.
An injection molding machine which comprises:
- a stationary platen;
- upper and lower tiebars extending from said stationary platen;
- an outer platen movable along said tiebars;
- a movable central mold portion and a non-uniform width slot in each sidewall of said central portion;
- means for supporting said central portion so as to facilitate its quick removal and installation;
- said supporting means including a movable frame on each side of said movable central portion;
- each said movable frame having means for engaging one of said slots on said central portion;
- means for moving said outer platen along said tiebars and rack and gear pinion means for driving said central mold portion a fraction of the distance traveled by said outer platen;
- said rack and gear pinion means comprising a first rack mounted to each side portion of said stationary platen and extending therefrom, a first gear mounted to each side of said outer platen for engaging a respective one of said racks, a second smaller rack fixedly mounted to each said movable frame, and a second gear fastened to each said first gear for engaging said second rack.
An injection molding machine having a stationary platen, a movable outer platen and a movable central portion and a drive assembly wherein said drive assembly comprises:
- means for moving said outer platen relative to said stationary platen;
- at least one rack mounted to the stationary platen;
- first gear means attached to the outer platen for engaging said at least one rack;
- second gear means mounted to the outer platen;
- said second gear means being driven by said first gear means;
- and
- at least one rack mounted to the central portion and driven by said second gear means so as to insure a desired spacing between mold elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.