Method and apparatus for mold clamping in an injection molding machine and the like

In an apparatus for mold clamping in an injection molding machine and the like having a mold clamping mechanism comprising a fixed die plate fixedly mounting a fixed mold thereon, a movable die plate fixedly mounting a movable mold thereon and facing to said fixed die plate, tie bars supported at one end portion by said fixed die plate and slidably supporting said movable die plate so as to advance and retract to said fixed die plate, a first drive means for executing mold open and close operations by advancing and retracting said movable die plate to said fixed die plate, a second drive means for executing mold clamping operation by pressing said movable die plate against said fixed die plate after said movable mold contacts with said fixed mold by operating said first drive means, a third drive means for executing relative movement between said tie bar and said movable die plate in the direction of axis of the tie bars and an engaging means mounted on said movable die plate for executing an engagement with an engaging portion formed on circumference of said tie bars, and further having a mold clamping controller for drive control of said first drive means, said second drive means, said third drive means and said engaging means, said mold clamping controller comprises

• a first command division for instructing a low moving speed of said movable die plate to said first drive means during mold close operation, and for instructing a moving speed of said tie bar different from the low moving speed to said third drive means at the same time when said low moving speed is instructed or thereafter,
• a detector for detecting a relative moving speed between said movable die plate and said tie bars,
• a setting division for setting a preferable relative moving speed, within which said engaging means is capable of engagement, and
• a second command division for instructing the engaging operation when an output signal of the detector reaches the preferable relative moving speed.