Method and apparatus for closing tool of plastics processing machine

An apparatus for closing a tool of a plastics-processing machine that has at least two parts, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one run drive which moves the tool from an open position to near a closed position;
• at least two closure drives which move the tool into its closed position and have a shorter stroke and produce a higher force than the run drive, each of the closure drives including a hydraulic piston-cylinder system with a cylinder having inflow and an outflow for hydraulic oil, a piston in the cylinder, and a piston rod connected to the piston and having an interlock element near an end thereof;
• and
• counter-pieces which interact with the interlock elements only after the tool is situated near its closed position;
• a controller regulation mechanism which conducts a predetermined hydraulic stream to the cylinders via the inflow after the piston rods interlock with the counter-pieces;
• a connecting line with a check valve for conducting the hydraulic oil from the outflow to the inflow of the cylinders;
• and
• a hydraulic tank for receiving at least a portion of the outflow through a pressure valve.

A method for closing a tool of a plastics-processing machine, the method comprising:

• moving the tool from an open position to near a closed position with at least one run drive;
• interlocking at least one closure drive associated with one part of the tool with a counter-piece associated with another part of the tool after the tool is situated near its closed position to enable the closure drive to close the tool;
• and
• operating the at least one closure drive simultaneously with the at least one run drive to provide continuous operation.

An apparatus for closing a tool of a plastics-processing machine, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one run drive, which moves the tool from an open position to near a closed position;
• at least one closure drive, which moves the tool into its closed position and has an interlock element;
• a counter-piece corresponding to each closure drive, which interacts with the interlock element only after the tool is situated near its closed position to enable the closure drive to close the tool;
• a single controller regulation mechanism, which conducts a hydraulic stream to each closure drive cylinder;
• and
• a system which reduces a resistance exerted by the closure drive to the movement of the tool generated by the run drive.

In a plastics-processing machine including a machine base, two mold mounting plates extending from the base, and at least one of which is moveable on the base level, a blow-molding tool, parts of which are supported by the mounting plates, a tool closure apparatus comprising:

• at least one run drive, which moves the tool from an open position to near a closed position;
• at least one closure drive, which is mounted on a first one of the mounting plates and includes a shaft, an interlock element on the shaft, and a cylinder housing a piston to which the shaft is connected;
• a counter-piece mounted on a second one of the mounting plates, which interacts with the interlock element only after the tool is situated near its closed position to enable the closure drive to close the tool;
• a hydraulic system which reduces a resistance exerted by the closure drive to the movement of the tool generated by the run drive by enabling fluid flow between an outflow port of the cylinder to an inflow port.