Method, apparatus and system of changing a mold in a die casting machine

A mold clamping apparatus for a die casting machine, comprising:

• a base;
• a fixed die plate standing fixedly on an end of an injection side of the base, the fixed die plate having a mold mounting surface defining a cavity therein and having a clamp cylinder formed at a portion in the fixed die plate;
• a moving die plate arranged so as to proceed and retract on the base facing the fixed die plate, the moving die plate having a mold mounting surface defining a cavity therein and having a fastening member fixedly fastened at a side face of the moving die plate;
• guide means arranged on the base in order to guide proceeding and retracting movement of the moving die plate;
• first drive means for allowing the moving die plate to proceed and retract on the guide means, the first drive means including the fastening member;
• tie bars passing through portions neighboring corners of each die plate and holding a clamping of the die plates;
• second drive means for producing a clamping force between the fixed die plate and the moving die plate through the tie bars, the second drive means including the clamp cylinder;
• a first versatile main mold disposed in the cavity of the fixed die plate and constructed and arranged to receive any of a plurality of insert dies having a range of different sizes, each insert die defining a cavity corresponding to the shape of an article to be molded;
• and
• a second versatile main mold disposed in the cavity of the moving die plate and constructed and arranged to receive any of a plurality of insert dies having a range of different sizes, each insert die defining a cavity corresponding to the shape of an article to be molded;
• wherein the distance between the mold mounting surface of the fixed die plate and the mold mounting surface of the moving die plate is substantially zero at a mold closing position.