Injection molding system with removable tie rods

The method of molding articles during a molding cycle wherein first and second mold parts are mounted upon first and second platens, respectively, at least the first of the platens being movable with respect to the other along an axis, and tie rods extending between the platens and fixed to the platens to maintain the mold parts engaging during molding, the tie rods initially being removed from proximity to the mold parts at the beginning of each molding cycle, the movable first platen moving toward the second platen during the closing movement of the platens prior to molding and retracting away from the second platen during the opening movement of the platens after molding has occurred, comprising the steps of:

• (a) moving the first platen toward the second platen in a closing movement to engage the mold parts,
• (b) axially translating all of the tie rods relative to both platens during or after the closing movement of the first platen to a tie rod lockable position prior to molding wherein the tie rods are interposed between both platens and the mold parts are engaging,
• (c) locking the tie rods to both platens,
• (d) producing a molding operation within the engaging mold parts,
• (e) unlocking all of the tie rods relative to both platens,
• (f) retracting the first platen from the second platen at the termination of said unlocking and molding operation in an opening movement, and
• (g) axially translating all of the tie rods with respect to both platens during or after said opening movement of the first platen whereby all of the tie rods are removed from proximity to the mold parts during each molding cycle upon completion of the first platen opening movement providing unobstructed lateral access to the mold parts.