Insertion device for plastic molding

A method for positioning a metallic fastener between the open sections of a mold preparatory to molding an article with said metallic fastener affixed thereto, said mold sections each having a parting surface and at least one of said mold sections having a recess comprising the steps of

• (a) providing on said one mold section a first magnet in said recess in the area intended to receive said fastener;
• (b) providing an insert arm movable from a position outwardly of said mold sections to a position between said mold sections said insert arm having (i) a nest supporting one of said fasteners in a fixed position and (ii) a second magnet for steadying said fastener in said nest, said second magnet being less powerful than said first magnet;
• (c) positioning a fastener in said nest while said insert arm is in said outward position;
• (d) moving said insert arm from said outwardly position to said position between said mold sections;
• and
• (e) moving said nest toward said recess to a position at which said first magnet draws said fastener out of said nest and into said recess.

A method for molding a plastic article with a metallic fastener affixed thereto comprising the steps of

• (a) providing a mold having first and second partible sections with recesses and parting surfaces, said mold sections movable between an open spaced apart position to a closed position wherein said mold sections cooperate to define a molding cavity;
• (b) providing a first magnet in the recess of said first mold section;
• (c) providing an insert arm movable from a position outwardly of said mold sections to a position between said mold sections said insert arm having (i) a nest supporting one of said fasteners in a fixed position thereon and (ii) a second magnet for steadying said fastener in said nest, said second magnet being less powerful than said first magnet;
• (d) positioning a fastener in said nest;
• (e) moving said insert arm and said nest toward said recess to a position at which said first magnet draws said fastener out of said nest and into said recess;
• (f) moving said insert arm to said outwardly position;
• (g) closing said first and second partible sections;
• and
• (h) forcing plastic material into conformity with said cavity and around at least a portion of said metallic fastener to form said plastic article with said metallic fastener affixed thereto.

A method for molding a plastic article with an element affixed thereto comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a mold having first and second partible sections with recesses and parting surfaces, said partible sections movable between an open spaced apart position to a closed position wherein said partible sections cooperate to define a molding cavity, said first partible section having at least one pin extending outwardly toward said second partible section;
• (b) providing an insert arm having a pin extending therefrom and a stripper plate movable relative to said insert arm pin, said insert arm movable from a position outwardly of said first and second partible sections to a position between said first and second partible sections;
• (c) positioning an element having an opening on said insert arm with said insert arm pin extending through said opening;
• (d) moving said insert arm with said element to a position at which said opening is aligned with said first partible section pin;
• (e) moving said stripper plate and said element toward said first partible section to (i) cause said first partible section pin to extend through said opening below said insert arm pin and (ii) cause said element to be stripped from said insert arm pin and supported on said first partible section pin;
• (f) moving said insert arm to said outwardly position;
• (g) closing said first and second partible sections with said element therebetween;
• and
• (h) forcing plastic material into conformity with said cavity to adhere said element to said plastic.