Modular injection mold and manifold arrangement
AssigneeStackteck Systems Limited
InventorsHenry John Rozema, Robert Frank Rick, Antonio Morrone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A molding arrangement is provided for multi-level stack molds wherein mold sets and runners are made up of modular sections interchangeable individually or as larger assemblies for exchanging molds for one part for those for different parts or exchanging runners between hot tip and valve gate designs to accommodate different molding arrangements. The arrangement has discrete melt paths for each mold level, at least some of which extend around rather than through the mold levels and which incorporate readily separable connectors. This enables one set of molds and possibly as well the runners for one mold level to be interchanged without interfering with the mold and runner arrangement for an adjacent level.
Claims19
A modular injection mold and manifold arrangement for a multi-level stack mold assembly mountable between a stationary platen and a movable platen of an injection molding machine wherein said stationary platen has at least one sprue bushing providing at least first and second discrete melt sources, said arrangement comprising:
- a first manifold module mountable to said stationary platen and providing a first melt distribution conduit for receiving melt from said first discrete melt source and delivering only said melt from said first discrete melt source to a first nozzle array associated with a first mold level of said multi-level stack mold assembly;
- said first mold level including a first mold module having a first core part, a first cavity part for registering with said first core part and respective gates registering with each nozzle of said first nozzle array for injecting said melt into a space defined between said first core and cavity parts in a mold closed configuration;
- a second manifold module mountable between said stationary and movable platens for movement toward and away from said fixed platen and including a second melt delivery conduit for receiving melt from said second discrete melt source and delivering only said melt from said second discrete melt source to a second nozzle array associated with a second mold level of said multi-level stack mold assembly at least a portion of said second melt delivery conduit extends through said first manifold;
- said second mold level includes a second mold module having a second core part, a second cavity part for registering with said second core part and respective gates registering with each nozzle of said second nozzle array for injecting said melt into a space defined between said core and cavity parts in said mold closed configuration;
- said first and second core and cavity parts being separable in a machine direction to a mold open configuration for stripping and being connectable to said stationary and movable platens for movement between said mold open and mold closed configuration;
- said first and second manifold modules being configured to divert melt around rather than through said first mold module to facilitate exchange of said first mold module as a unit for a first mold module for a different part having corresponding gate positions;
- said first manifold module being disconnectable at said sprue bushing from said stationary platen to facilitate exchange of a given first manifold module for another first manifold module of different configuration for a different first mold module;
- said second manifold module receives melt from said second source through a second run of said second melt delivery conduit, which is separable along its length for mold opening and to allow exchange of said second manifold module for one of different configuration;
- and,
- said second mold module is removable from said second manifold module without disassembly of said second manifold module to allow exchange of one said second mold module for another configured for a different part but having corresponding gate positions.
A modular injection mold and manifold arrangement for a multi-level stack mold assembly mountable between a stationary platen and a movable platen of an injection molding machine comprising:
- a first mold level including:
- a first manifold module;
- a first nozzle array;
- a first mold module;
- and
- a first melt distribution conduit configured to direct melt from only a first discrete melt source to the first nozzle array of the first manifold module;
- and
- a second mold level including:
- a second manifold module;
- a second nozzle array;
- a second mold module;
- and
- a second melt distribution conduit configured to direct melt from only a second discrete melt source to the second nozzle array of the second manifold module;
- wherein the first melt distribution conduit and the second melt distribution conduit are distinct such that melt is not intermixed therebetween and thus melt directed by the first melt distribution conduit is not directed to the second nozzle array and melt directed by the second melt distribution conduit is not directed to the first nozzle array;
- wherein the second melt distribution conduit is longer than the first melt distribution conduit;
- and
- wherein the second melt distribution conduit passes through the first manifold module.
A modular injection mold and manifold arrangement for a multi-level stack mold assembly mountable between a stationary platen and a movable platen of an injection molding machine comprising:
- a first manifold module of a first mold level that is mountable to the stationary platen and includes a first discrete melt distribution conduit for directing only melt from a first discrete melt source to a first nozzle array associated with a first mold module;
- and
- a second manifold module of a second mold level that is mountable between the stationary and movable platens for movement toward and away from the fixed platen and including a second discrete melt distribution conduit for directing only melt from a second discrete melt source, around the first mold module, and to a second nozzle array associated with a second mold module;
- wherein a portion of the second discrete melt distribution conduit passes through the first manifold module;
- and
- wherein the first discrete melt distribution conduit is shorter than the second discrete melt distribution conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.