Method for mold clamping units

A process for controlling mold clamping of a molding machine having a movable mold half positioned on a movable platen and a fixed mold half positioned on a fixed platen, comprising the steps of:

• providing means for moving said movable platen relative to said fixed platen;
• attaching said platens together by connecting means;
• exerting and sustaining a force clamping said platens together by a clamping means, and exerting an opposite force for separating said platens by said clamping means, and releasably connecting said clamping means to said connecting means at an adjustable starting position;
• actuating said means for moving to close the mold halves;
• determining said adjustable starting position of said clamping means, wherein at the said adjustable starting position sufficient stroke is provided for exerting said force for clamping and separating said platens, wherein said step of determining a starting position comprises the steps of measuring actual shut height of said platens in the said mold closed position, measuring actual position of said clamping means, and calculating said adjustable starting position from said measurements;
• checking the position of said clamping means to determine if said sufficient stroke of said clamping means is present;
• adjusting said adjustable starting position based on the checked position of the clamping means so as to obtain said sufficient stroke of the clamping means after said step of checking;
• sustaining said clamping force for a predetermined time;
• actuating said clamping means for developing said force for separating;
• and
• actuating said moving means to separate said mold halves.