Clamping assembly for injection molding apparatus
OwnerAmir Ziv-Avinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamping assembly for an injection molding apparatus includes a first platen attached to a base and a second platen slidingly associated with the base. A number of tiebars are mechanically linked to each of the platens through a number of mechanical linkages. An actuation system associated with the plurality of tiebars and with at least one of the platens is configured to generate movement of the second platen relative to the first platen. The mechanical linkage between each of the tiebars and at least one of the platens includes a threaded bushing engaged with a threaded portion of the tiebar. The actuation system is configured to generate relative rotation between each of the tiebars and a corresponding one of the threaded bushings.
Claims19
A clamping assembly for an injection molding apparatus comprising:
- (a) a base;
- (b) a first platen attached to said base;
- (c) a second platen slidingly associated with said base so as to be slidable towards and away from said first platen;
- (d) a plurality of tiebars mechanically linked to each of said first and second platens through a plurality of mechanical linkages;
- and
- (e) an actuation system associated with said plurality of tiebars and with at least one of said first and second platens and configured to generate movement of said second platen relative to said first platen,
- wherein at least a portion of at least two of said tiebars is threaded, and wherein said mechanical linkage between each of said at least two tiebars and at least one of said first and second platens includes a threaded bushing engaged with said threaded portion, said actuation system being configured to generate relative rotation between each of said at least two tiebars and the corresponding one of said threaded bushings, and wherein said actuation system includes:
- (i) a first drive mechanism configured to generate relative rotation between each of said at least two tiebars and the corresponding one of said threaded bushings so as to generate parallel displacement of said second platen relative to said first platen;
- and
- (ii) a second drive mechanism configured to apply a clamping torque between each of said at least two tiebars and the corresponding one of said threaded bushings so as to generate a closing force, said second drive mechanism being configured to distribute said clamping torque substantially equally between said at least two tiebars.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.