Platen sensing and alignment apparatus

A clamp apparatus, comprising:

• a frame;
• a first platen having a surface orthogonal to a predetermined axis;
• a second platen having a surface opposing the first platen, the second platen being reciprocatable along the predetermined axis;
• means for reciprocating the second platen along the predetermined axis between an open and a closed position;
• means for detecting positions of a plurality of points on the surface of the second platen during movement of said second platen between the open and closed position;
• means for analyzing the detected positions of the plurality of points;
• and
• means for halting movement of said second platen when said analyzing means determines that the surface of said second platen is not parallel to the opposing surface of said first platen.

A mold clamp for a molding machine, comprising:

• a frame;
• a first platen mounted on said frame, said first platen having a surface with first and second opposite edges;
• a second platen movable toward and away from said first platen, said second platen having a surface facing the surface of said first platen with first and second opposite edges corresponding to the first and second opposite edges of the surface of said first platen;
• an actuating mechanism for moving said second platen toward and away from said first platen between an open and a closed position;
• and
• a plurality of sensors for electromagnetically detecting respective positions of the first and second opposite edges of said second platen throughout reciprocal movement of said second platen between the open and closed position.

A mold clamp for a molding machine, comprising:

• a frame having a central alignment beam;
• a first platen mounted on said frame and disposed perpendicular to the central alignment beam;
• a second platen bearing on the central alignment beam;
• a plurality of actuating cylinders for reciprocating said second platen along the central alignment beam between an open and a closed position;
• a plurality of transducer rods mounted on said frame on opposite sides of the central alignment beam and extending parallel to the central alignment beam;
• a plurality of magnets mounted on said second platen, each magnet being disposed adjacent a transducer rod;
• and
• a controller for receiving a plurality of signals indicating a position of each magnet along a respective transducer rod during movement of said second platen between the open and closed position, and determining based on the plurality of signals whether said second platen is parallel to said first platen.

A mold clamp for a molding machine, comprising:

• a frame;
• a first platen fixed relative to said frame;
• a second platen reciprocatable along a predetermined axis which lies perpendicular to said first platen, said second platen having a surface opposing a surface of said first platen;
• an actuating mechanism for reciprocating said second platen along the predetermined axis between an opened and closed position;
• means for continuously electromagnetically detecting positions and velocities of a plurality of points on the surface of said second platen during reciprocal movement of said second platen between the open and closed position;
• means for analyzing the detected positions and velocities of the plurality of points;
• and
• means for halting movement of said second platen when said analyzing means determines that the surface of said second platen is not parallel to the opposing surface of said first platen.

A clamp apparatus, comprising:

• a frame;
• a first platen fixed relative to said frame;
• a second platen movable along a predetermined axis;
• an actuating mechanism for moving said second platen along the predetermined axis between an open and a closed position;
• and
• an electromagnetic sensor device for automatically detecting whether opposing surfaces of said second platen and said first platen are parallel during reciprocal movement of said second platen between the open and closed position, said electromagnetic sensor including a plurality of transducer rods and a plurality of magnets.

A clamp apparatus, comprising:

• a frame;
• a first platen mounted to said frame;
• a second platen bearing on said frame and movable toward and away from said first platen;
• an actuating mechanism for moving said second platen toward and away from said first platen, the moving of said second platen toward and away from said first platen defining an operational stroke of said second platen;
• a sensor system for continuously detecting whether opposing surfaces of said second platen and said first platen are parallel during the operational stroke of said second platen;
• means for analyzing the detected positions of the opposing surfaces of said second platen and said first platen;
• and
• means for halting movement of said second platen when said analyzing means determines that the surface of said second platen is not parallel to the opposing surface of said first platen.

An injection molding machine, comprising:

• a machine frame;
• a first platen;
• a second platen;
• means for moving said second platen between an open and a closed position;
• a first mold half fastened to said first platen;
• a second mold half fastened to said second platen in a manner such that when said second platen is moved to the closed position, said first and second mold halves together form a mold cavity;
• means for injecting molten resin into the mold cavity formed by said first and second mold halves;
• and
• means for continuously detecting whether said first platen is parallel to said second platen during the entire movement of said second platen between the open and closed positions.