Control system for utilizing active material elements in a molding system
AssigneeHusky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
InventorDerek K. W. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for controlling an injection molding machine having a first surface and a second surface includes a piezo-ceramic sensor configured to be disposed between the first surface and a second surface. The piezo-ceramic sensor is configured to sense a force between the first surface and the second surface, and to generate corresponding sense signals. Transmission structure is coupled to the piezo-ceramic sensor and is configured to carry the sense signals. Preferably, a piezo-ceramic actuator is also disposed between the first surface and a second surface, and is configured to provide an expansive force between the first surface and a second surface in accordance with the sense signals.
Claims19
Control apparatus for a mold having a first surface and a second surface, comprising:
- a piezo-ceramic sensor configured to be disposed between the first surface and the second surface of the injection mold, for sensing a compressive force between the first surface and the second surface and generating a corresponding sense signal;
- and
- transmission structure configured to transmit, in use, the sense signal from said piezo-ceramic sensor.
Control apparatus for an injection molding machine having a first surface and a second surface, comprising:
- a piezo-ceramic actuator configured to be disposed between the first surface and the second surface of the injection molding machine, for receiving an actuation signal and generating a corresponding expansion force between the first surface and the second surface;
- and
- transmission structure configured to transmit, in use, the actuation signal to said piezo-ceramic actuator.
Apparatus for controlling deflection between first and second surfaces of a mold, comprising:
- a piezo-ceramic actuator configured to be disposed between the first second surfaces of the injection molding machine, for receiving an actuation signal, and for generating an expansive force between the first and second surfaces;
- and
- a piezo-ceramic sensor disposed adjacent said piezo-ceramic actuator, for detecting changes in a width of said piezo-ceramic actuator and generating sensor signals corresponding thereto.
Apparatus for correcting core shifting in a mold having a core and a core plate, comprising:
- a plurality of piezo-electric actuators configured to be disposed about a periphery of the core, each for generating an expansive force between the core and the core plate, each of said plurality of piezo-electric actuators configured to be separately controllable;
- transmission structure configured to provide an actuation signal, in use, to each of said plurality of piezo-electric actuators;
- and
- control structure configured to provide the actuation signals to selected ones of said plurality of piezo-electric actuators to correct for core shifting.
A method of controlling an injection mold having a first surface and a second surface, comprising the steps of:
- sensing a compressive force between the first surface and the second surface with a piezo-ceramic sensor disposed between the first surface and the second surface of the injection mold;
- generating a sense signal corresponding to the sensed compressive force;
- transmitting the sense signal from the piezo-ceramic sensor to a processor;
- generating an injection mold control signal according to the transmitted sense signal.
A method of controlling an injection mold having a first surface and a second surface, comprising the steps of:
- determining a force actuation signal to control a space between the first surface and the second surface;
- transmitting the force actuation signal to a piezo-ceramic actuator disposed between the first surface and the second surface of the injection mold;
- and
- using the piezo-ceramic actuator to generate an corresponding expansion force between the first surface and the second surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.