Automatic stamper exchange device and injection molding apparatus employing the exchange device

An injection molding apparatus comprising:

• a metal mold having holding means for holding a stamper on a setting surface;
• and
• an automatic stamper exchanging means that includes:
• a first stamper housing unit for housing a used-up stamper,
• a second stamper housing unit for housing a new stamper, and
• stamper mounting and dismounting means for dismounting the used-up stamper from the metal mold or mounting the new stamper in the metal mold;
• wherein, after the end of an injection molding operation by the metal mold, the used-up stamper is dismounted from the metal mold by said stamper mounting and dismounting means so as to be housed within said first housing unit, and the new stamper is taken out by said stamper mounting and dismounting means from said second housing unit and mounted on said setting surface of the metal mold so as to be held by said holding means.

An injection molding apparatus comprising:

• a metal mold having holding means for holding a stamper on a setting surface;
• and
• an automatic stamper exchanging means that includes:
• a first stamper housing unit for housing a used-up stamper,
• a second stamper housing unit for housing a new stamper,
• stamper mounting and dismounting means for dismounting the used-up stamper from the metal mold or mounting the new stamper in the metal mold, and
• stamper supplying means for housing the used-up stamper dismounted by the stamper mounting and dismounting means in the first stamper housing unit or taking out the new stamper housed within the second stamper housing unit and supplying the new stamper thus taken out to said stamper mounting and dismounting means.