Multi shot injection molding apparatus

A multi shot injection molding apparatus for forming a plurality of molded parts, comprising:

• a stationary machine platen;
• a first mold plate that is secured to the stationary machine platen;
• a first injection unit secured to the stationary machine platen and sealingly connected to the first mold plate for delivering a first molding material to a plurality of first molding cavities, wherein a first portion of each of the first molding cavities is located on the first mold plate, wherein the first molding cavities are configured to form first portions of the molded parts;
• a movable machine frame that is movable along a first linear direction line relative to the stationary machine platen;
• a carrier that does not rotate, that does not itself contain mold cavities, and that is coupled to the movable machine frame for movement along the first linear direction line so as to open and close the first molding cavities;
• a second mold plate positioned in association with the movable machine frame;
• a second injection unit for delivering a second molding material to a plurality of second molding cavities, wherein a first portion of each of the second molding cavities is located on the second mold plate, wherein the second molding cavities are configured to form second portions of the molded parts, wherein the second injection unit and the second mold plate are movable together relative to the carrier during the opening and closing of the second mold cavities;
• a rotary handling unit coupled to the carrier and movable with the carrier, and having a first plurality of rotary handling unit mold cavity portions thereon and a second plurality of rotary handling unit mold cavity portions thereon,
• wherein the rotary handling unit is positionable in a first position in which the first plurality of rotary handling unit mold cavity portions are on a first side of the carrier and cooperate with the first mold plate to at least partially define the first mold cavities and the second plurality of rotary handling unit mold cavity portions are on a second side of the carrier and cooperate with the second mold plate to at least partially define the second mold cavities,
• and wherein the rotary handling unit is configured to remove the first portions of the molded parts from the first side of the carrier and is movable to a second position in which the first plurality of rotary handling unit mold cavity portions are on the second side of the carrier and cooperate with the second mold plate to at least partially define the second mold cavities
• wherein the coupled carrier and rotary handling unit are configured to be disconnected and removed together from the movable machine frame.