Molding-system clamp

A clamp actuator of a molding system having a rod, the clamp actuator comprising:

• a first actuator configured to apply a clamping force to the rod, the first actuator including
• a piston coupled to the rod;
• and
• a housing configured to receive the piston and accommodate sliding movement of the piston and the rod, the piston, the housing and the rod defining, in combination, a chamber, the chamber configured to accommodate a pressurizable fluid that is abuttable against the piston;
• a second actuator configured to apply a force opposing the clamping force to the first actuator, the second actuator including:
• a spring interactable with the first actuator, the spring biasing the first actuator so as to urge
• the first actuator away from a force application position,
• responsive to the chamber being pressurized by a first amount of fluid pressure, the
• pressurizable fluid urges the piston toward the spring, and the spring reacts to maintain the piston in a home position;
• a piston stop plate coupled to an entrance of the housing, the piston is abuttable, at least in part, against the piston stop plate;
• a reset stop coupled to the piston;
• and
• a reset plate, the reset plate abutting the piston stop plate, the reset stop, and the spring;
• and
• wherein responsive to actuating the first actuator, the rod is drivable between:
• (i) the home position in which the clamping force is not applicable to the rod;
• and
• (ii) the force application position in which the clamping force is applicable to the rod;
• and
• responsive to a mold flash occurring which exceeds the clamping force, the rod moves into a mold flash position located on a side of the home position opposite the force application position.