Article manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an article manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus, capable of removing a molded article from an intermediate mold in an injection molding machine.SOLUTION: An intermediate mold in an injection molding machine is provided with a removal mechanism for a molded article.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an article. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a rotatable intermediate mold is provided between a first mold and a second mold in an injection molding machine, a primary molding is performed between the first mold and the intermediate mold to form a molded product, the intermediate mold is then rotated 180 degrees while leaving the molded product in the intermediate mold, secondary molding is performed between the second mold and the intermediate mold, and the molded product is then removed from the second mold. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-230345 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the product, there may be cases where it is desired to remove the molded product remaining in the intermediate mold after the primary molding is completed and the mold is opened. However, with the method of Patent Document 1, it is not possible to remove the molded product remaining in the intermediate mold when the mold is opened.

[0005] The present invention therefore provides a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an article, which allows for the removal of the molded article from an intermediate mould in an injection moulding machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the method for manufacturing an article of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an article comprising a first molding step of molding using a first mold and an intermediate mold, a rotation step of rotating the intermediate mold, and a second molding step of molding using a second mold and the intermediate mold, and is characterized by including an intermediate removal step of removing a molded article from the intermediate mold. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an article, which allows a molded article to be removed from an intermediate mold in an injection molding machine. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an injection molding device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional ejection device and an injection molding device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an injection molding apparatus with a lifting device disposed below. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an intermediate mold and a lifting device provided below the intermediate mold. [Diagram 5] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a protruding operation in the lifting device. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing a connection state between an intermediate mold and a lifting device in an injection molding device. FIG. [Figure 7] 4A to 4C are diagrams showing a first molded product and a second molded product in a second step and a third step. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of removing a molded product from any position on each surface of an intermediate mold. [Figure 9] 1 is an overall view showing an inkjet printer. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a liquid storage container. [Figure 11] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing the connection member. [Figure 12] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a first molded product, a second molded product, and a third molded product. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an injection molding apparatus 100 in this embodiment. The injection molding apparatus 100 includes a first mold 3 attached to a fixed platen 1 and a second mold 4 attached to a movable platen 2. The second mold 4 is configured to be movable in the X direction (mold movement direction). The injection molding apparatus 100 further includes an intermediate mold 6 that is provided on an LM guide between the first mold 3 and the second mold 4 and is configured to be rotatable about an axis in the Z direction perpendicular to the X direction, which is the movement direction of the second mold 4. The injection molding apparatus 100 further includes an injection unit 7 for the first mold 3 and an injection unit 8 for the second mold 4. The LM guide (support member) extends in the X direction and supports the second mold 4 and the intermediate mold 6. The intermediate mold 6 rotates about an axis perpendicular to the support surface of the LM guide.

[0011] The second mold 4 is configured so that it can move in the X direction together with the intermediate mold 6 to perform mold clamping. In molding, first, the first mold 3 and the intermediate mold 6 are clamped together and molten resin is injected from the injection unit 7 to perform primary molding. Then, the mold is opened. At this time, the mold is adjusted so that the first molded product produced by primary molding remains in the intermediate mold 6.

[0012] Thereafter, the intermediate mold 6 is rotated 180°, and the first molded product remaining in the intermediate mold 6 is positioned opposite the second mold 4. The molds are then clamped again, and the first mold 3 performs primary molding of the next second molded product, while the second mold 4 performs secondary molding of the first molded product by injecting molten resin from the injection unit 8.

[0013] Although a configuration has been described in which the second mold 4 and the intermediate mold 6 move during mold clamping, this is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the first mold 3 and the second mold 4 move relative to the intermediate mold 6 may also be used.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a diagram for comparison, showing a conventional ejection device and an injection molding device equipped with the conventional ejection device in the intermediate mold. Fig. 2(a) shows the state before and after the molded product is removed in the conventional ejection device, and Fig. 2(b) shows the injection molding device equipped with the conventional ejection device in the intermediate mold.

[0015] As a means for providing an ejection device to the intermediate mold, it is possible to provide a conventional ejection device to the intermediate mold as shown in Fig. 2(b). In the conventional ejection device, as shown in Fig. 2(a), a cylinder or the like is driven in the direction of removal of the molded product to move an eject plate in the direction of removal of the molded product, thereby removing the molded product. However, in the conventional method of removing the molded product by driving a cylinder or the like in the direction of removal of the molded product, there is a risk that the thickness and weight of the intermediate mold will increase, and the injection molding device will become larger. Therefore, in this embodiment, a manufacturing device that can remove a molded product from the intermediate mold while suppressing the increase in size of the manufacturing device will be described.

[0016] 3 is a diagram showing an injection molding apparatus 100 in which an elevation device 13 is provided on the intermediate mold 6 in this embodiment. In the injection molding apparatus 100 in this embodiment, the intermediate mold 6 can be rotated every 90°. The case where the intermediate mold 6 is rotated every 90° will be described below. The intermediate mold 6 has four surfaces used for molding, and rotates every 90°. The intermediate mold 6 performs molding while changing the surface facing the first mold 3 and the second mold 4 as it rotates.

[0017] In the first molding step, molten resin is injected between the first mold 3 and the intermediate mold 6 by the injection unit 07 to form a molded product (primary molding). Molds of different shapes may be arranged on the same surface to form a plurality of types of molded products. Note that while the intermediate mold 6 has been described as having four surfaces used for molding, this is not limiting and the intermediate mold 6 may have more surfaces, for example, six surfaces.

[0018] After the mold is opened, the molded product is left in the intermediate mold 6, and the intermediate mold 6 is rotated 90° to move to the second process. Note that although the rotation is around the axis in the Z direction in FIG. 3, it may also rotate around a horizontal axis (e.g., the Y axis). In this case, since the second process is performed in the top-bottom position, it is basically adopted when rotating every 180° and processing is performed facing the first mold 3 and the second mold 4.

[0019] In the second step, a six-axis robot or the like may be used to insert different materials such as filters or rubber parts into the molded product, or the molded product may be removed and assembled to another mold on the same surface. When performing this assembly, the molded product must be removed from the intermediate mold 6 in order to be chucked by the six-axis robot or the like.

[0020] Here, a method for removing the molded product from the intermediate mold 6 (intermediate removal) will be described.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the intermediate mold 6 and the lifting device 13 provided below the intermediate mold 6, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the ejection operation of the lifting device 13. In the injection molding device 100 of this embodiment, the lifting device 13 having a driving means such as a servo motor abuts against the eject rod 12 of the intermediate mold 6 and moves it in the vertical direction (the direction of the rotation axis of the intermediate mold) which is the Z direction. The eject rod 12 is connected to the cam plate 14 of the intermediate mold 6, and the cam plate 14 is combined with an eject plate 16 to which an eject pin 19 is attached. The cam plate 14 is provided with an inclined portion 50, and the eject plate 16 is configured to move along the inclination of the inclined portion 50. As a result, the vertical movement of the cam plate 14 due to the vertical movement (lifting and lowering movement) of the eject rod 12 in the Z direction is converted into the left-right movement of the eject plate 16 in the Y direction. As a result, the eject pin 19 operates and the molded product can be ejected in the Y direction. Furthermore, by adjusting the positional relationship between the cam plate 14 and the eject plate 16, any molded product can be removed by changing the elevation position.

[0022] In this way, by providing the cam plate 14 with the inclined portion 50 and converting the up and down movement of the cam plate 14 into left and right movement of the eject plate 16, which is in the Y direction, it is possible to prevent the thickness and weight of the intermediate mold from increasing, and to achieve a more compact injection molding device.

[0023] Here, the details of the ejection operation by the lifting device 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the first molded product 17, the second molded product 18, the eject plate 16, and the cam plate 14. When the cam plate 14 moves from the initial position P1 (see FIG. 5(b)) to position P2 (see FIG. 5(c)), only the first molded product 17 corresponding to the upper side of the cam plate 14 is ejected. Furthermore, when the cam plate 14 moves to position P3 (see FIG. 5(d)), the second molded product 18 corresponding to the lower side of the cam plate 14 is ejected. Note that the third molded product and the fourth molded product may be similarly associated with the eject plate 14. For example, the first molded product and the third molded product may be taken out in the second step, and then assembled to the second molded product and the fourth molded product in a subsequent step. In this way, the lifting device is configured to stop at a plurality of different positions.

[0024] The lifting device 13 may be constantly connected to the eject rod 12 of the intermediate mold 6, but in that case, when the intermediate mold 6 rotates, the lifting device 13 must also rotate, which may cause interference with other parts. In addition, the weight of the intermediate mold 6 increases, which increases the inertial force during rotation, and there is a concern that the load on the molded product holder may increase. For this reason, the lifting device 13 is configured to be able to be separated from the eject rod 12 of the intermediate mold 6.

[0025] Figure 6 shows the connection state between the intermediate mold 6 and the lifting device 13 in the injection molding apparatus 100, with Figure 6(a) showing the connected state and Figure 6(b) showing the non-connected state. As shown in Figure 6(a) in the injection molding apparatus 100, the intermediate mold 6 is in a connected state when the mold is closed, and in a non-connected state when the mold is opened. Also, by enabling removal from each side of the intermediate mold 6, removal from each side can be achieved with one lifting device 13, regardless of which side is in the second process.

[0026] 7 is a diagram showing the first molded product 17 and the second molded product 18 in the second and third steps. In the second step, the first molded product 17 molded in the first step is removed from the intermediate mold 6 (see FIG. 7(a)) and assembled to the second molded product 18 (see FIG. 7(b)). Then, the intermediate mold 6 is rotated 90°, and in the third step, molten resin 23 is injected into the first molded product 17 and the second molded product 18 assembled as shown in FIG. 7(c). Specifically, the first molded product 17 and the second molded product 18 are joined by pouring the molten resin 23 into a space 22 formed by the first molded product 17 and the second molded product 18.

[0027] The space 22 may be formed not only by combining molded products, but also by a molded product and a mold. In the first molded product 17 and the second molded product 18 having shapes shown in Fig. 7(d) to (f), the space 22 is formed by a molded product and a mold. In this way, the first molded product 17 and the second molded product 18 may be joined by pouring molten resin 23 into the space 22 formed by the molded product and the mold. Also, so-called two-color molding may be used in which a molded product that has been primarily molded in a first step is secondarily molded with a different material in a third step.

[0028] Then, the intermediate mold 6 is further rotated 90°, and in the fourth step, the molded product is removed from the intermediate mold 6. In this step, as in the second step, any molded product on each surface of the intermediate mold 6 is removed using the lifting device 13 provided below the intermediate mold 6. As described above, by providing multiple levels of the lifting device 13 and eject plate 14, any molded product at any location on each surface can be removed at any timing depending on the position.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of ejecting a molded product at an arbitrary position on each surface of the intermediate mold 6. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the four surfaces of the intermediate mold 6 are surface A / surface B / surface C / surface D. Here, each surface from surface A to surface D is a surface that moves with the rotation of the intermediate mold 6. That is, for example, surface A proceeds from the first process to the second and third processes to the fourth process. Furthermore, each surface from surface A to surface D is divided into four, and an arbitrary mold is attached to the divided position. "E" shown in FIG. 8(b) to (e) indicates a place where the molded product is ejected. Note that in the injection molding device 100 of this embodiment, each process is performed simultaneously, but here, surface A (the upper and lower molds on the right side of surface A) will be described in the order of processes until one molded product is completed, and descriptions of other surfaces other than surface A will be omitted.

[0030] In the first step, primary molding is performed using the A side, and the first molded product 17 is molded in the upper right mold among the four parts of the A side, and the second molded product 18 is molded in the lower right mold (see the mold marked with "E" in FIG. 8(b)). After that, the intermediate mold 6 is rotated by 90°, and in the second step, the second molded product 18 of the lower right mold molded in the primary molding is removed (ejected) by raising and lowering the lifting device 13 to a predetermined position, and is attached to the first molded product 17 of the upper right mold. Furthermore, the intermediate mold 6 is rotated by 90°, and in the third step, molten resin is injected to join (weld) the first molded product 17 and the second molded product 18. After that, the intermediate mold 6 is rotated by 90°, and in the fourth step, the lifting device 13 is moved to a position higher than in the second step, and the molded product of the upper right mold (joined product of the first molded product 17 and the second molded product 18) is taken out.

[0031] Similarly, by performing the same operation on the upper and lower dies on the left side of surface A as on the right side (the upper and lower dies are reversed between the right and left sides in the figure), it is possible to handle multiple types of molding.

[0032] Although the method for removing the molded product from the intermediate mold 6 when the intermediate mold 6 rotates has been described, the present invention is also effective when the intermediate mold 6 does not rotate. For example, the present invention is useful when it is desired to remove a molded product left in the intermediate mold after the mold is opened in a so-called stack mold, or when the mold is opened while ejecting the molded product from the intermediate mold, thereby ensuring that the molded product remains on the first or second mold side.

[0033] An inkjet printer using a connection member manufactured by the injection molding apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0034] 9 is an overall view of an inkjet printer 24. In an injection molding device 100, a liquid storage container 26 that holds liquid and an inkjet print head 25 communicate with each other via a tube 27 and a hollow needle 28. In such an inkjet printer 24, it is useful to use the injection molding device 100 when making, for example, a connection member 32 used in a connection portion of the liquid storage container 26.

[0035] Figure 10 shows a liquid storage container 26, with Figure 10(a) showing an external view, Figure 10(b) showing an exploded perspective view, and Figure 10(c) showing a partial enlarged view of a connection portion. The liquid storage container 26 comprises a liquid storage portion 29 and a connection member 32. The connection member 32 has a first molded product 17, an elastic member 30, a second molded product 18, and a third molded product 20. The connection member 32 functions as a valve that can hold and supply liquid by inserting a hollow needle 28 into the elastic member 30 having a slit (slit 31 shown in Figure 12 described later).

[0036] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a manufacturing method of the connection member 32. In this embodiment, the first molded product 17, the second molded product 18, and the third molded product 20 are formed by injection molding using an injection molding device 100 (see FIG. 11(a)). Then, the elastic member 30 is supplied to the first molded product 17 (see FIG. 11(b)), and the second molded product 18 and the third molded product 20 are assembled thereon and joined (see FIG. 11(c)). That is, in the primary molding of the first step, the first molded product 17, the second molded product 18, and the third molded product 20 are molded, and in the second step, the elastic member 30 is supplied to the first molded product 17 of the intermediate mold 6, and the second molded product 18 and the third molded product 20 are assembled thereon. Then, in the secondary molding of the third step, the first molded product 17, the second molded product 18, and the third molded product 20 are joined thereto, and in the fourth step, the completed connection member 32 is taken out of the intermediate mold 6. The connection member 32 can be manufactured through such a series of steps.

[0037] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a first molded product 17, a second molded product 18, and a third molded product 20 in the joining process. In the fourth step of joining, molten resin 23 is poured into the space formed between the molded products to form an integrated molded product. When pouring the molten resin 23 into the space, the molded products are appropriately pressed together while compressing the elastic member 30 using mold clamping force, thereby stably holding the molded products until the molten resin 23 is poured and cooled. This eliminates the need for additional equipment for compression.

[0038] In this way, the intermediate mold in the injection molding machine is provided with a mechanism for removing the molded article, thereby making it possible to provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing an article that allows the molded article to be removed from the intermediate mold in the injection molding machine.

[0039] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following methods and configurations.

[0040] (Method 1) a first molding step of performing molding using a first mold and an intermediate mold; a rotating step of rotating the intermediate mold; a second molding step of performing molding using a second mold and the intermediate mold; A method for producing an article having the following features: A method for manufacturing an article, comprising the steps of: removing the molded article molded in the first molding step from the intermediate mold.

[0041] (Method 2) The first molding step and the second molding step each include: a mold clamping step in which the second mold and the intermediate mold are moved along a mold moving direction to clamp the mold; a mold opening process in which the second mold and the intermediate mold are moved along a mold moving direction to open the mold; having The method for manufacturing an article according to method 1, wherein in the rotating step, the intermediate mold rotates around a rotation axis perpendicular to the mold movement direction.

[0042] (Method 3) Before the first molding step, a step of disposing the first mold and the second mold with the intermediate mold sandwiched between them; The method for manufacturing an article described in Method 2 further comprises a step of supporting the second mold and the intermediate mold with a support member that is arranged in the same direction relative to the first mold, the second mold, and the intermediate mold and extends in the mold movement direction.

[0043] (Method 4) The method for producing an article according to Method 3, wherein in the rotating step, the intermediate mold is rotated around an axis perpendicular to a support surface on which the intermediate mold is supported.

[0044] (Method 5) 5. The method for manufacturing an article according to any one of Methods 1 to 4, wherein in the rotating step, the intermediate mold is rotated every 90°.

[0045] (Method 6) The method for manufacturing an article according to method 4, wherein in the intermediate removal step, a lifting device is raised and lowered in the axial direction of the rotation shaft to remove the molded article from the intermediate mold.

[0046] (Method 7) The method for manufacturing an article according to method 6, wherein the lifting device contacts an eject rod provided on the intermediate mold to lift and lower the eject rod.

[0047] (Method 8) The method for manufacturing an article according to method 7, wherein a cam plate having an inclined portion and provided on the intermediate mold is moved by raising and lowering the eject rod.

[0048] (Method 9) The method for manufacturing an article according to method 8, in which an eject plate moves along the inclined portion of the cam plate, causing an eject pin to move in the mold movement direction and eject the molded product.

[0049] (Method 10) A method for manufacturing an article according to method 6, wherein in the intermediate removal step, the lifting and lowering operation of the lifting device stops at a plurality of different positions.

[0050] (Method 11) The method for producing an article according to method 10, wherein the intermediate removal step comprises removing a plurality of the molded articles.

[0051] (Method 12) The method for manufacturing an article according to any one of methods 7 to 9, wherein the lifting device is movable away from the eject rod.

[0052] (Method 13) 13. The method for manufacturing an article according to any one of Methods 1 to 12, wherein different materials are supplied in the first molding step and the second molding step to perform molding.

[0053] (Method 14) A method for manufacturing an article described in any one of Methods 1 to 13, wherein after the molded product is molded in the first molding step, the first molded product in the intermediate mold is removed in the intermediate removal step and assembled to a second molded product in the intermediate mold, the first molded product and the second molded product are welded together in the second molding step, and the welded first molded product and second molded product are removed from the intermediate mold.

[0054] (Configuration 1) A first mold; A second mold; a rotatable intermediate mold disposed between the first mold and the second mold and having a plurality of surfaces capable of being clamped to the first mold and a plurality of surfaces capable of being clamped to the second mold; A manufacturing apparatus comprising: The manufacturing apparatus further comprises a removal mechanism for removing a molded product from the intermediate mold.

[0055] (Configuration 2) The second mold and the intermediate mold are clamped and opened relative to the first mold by moving in a mold moving direction, 2. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate mold rotates about a rotation axis perpendicular to a direction of mold movement.

[0056] (Configuration 3) The manufacturing apparatus according to configuration 2, wherein the second mold and the intermediate mold are arranged in the same direction relative to the first mold, the second mold, and the intermediate mold, and are supported by a support member extending in the mold movement direction.

[0057] (Configuration 4) 4. The manufacturing apparatus of configuration 3, wherein the intermediate mold rotates about an axis perpendicular to a support surface on which the intermediate mold is supported.

[0058] (Configuration 5) The manufacturing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the intermediate mold rotates every 90°.

[0059] (Configuration 6) The manufacturing apparatus according to configuration 4, wherein a lifting device is raised and lowered in an axial direction of the rotation shaft, thereby removing a molded product from the intermediate mold.

[0060] (Configuration 7) The manufacturing apparatus according to configuration 6, wherein the lifting device contacts an eject rod provided on the intermediate mold to lift and lower the eject rod, thereby moving a cam plate having an inclined portion and provided on the intermediate mold.

[0061] (Configuration 8) The manufacturing apparatus according to configuration 7, wherein an eject plate moves along the inclined portion of the cam plate, thereby moving an eject pin in the mold movement direction to eject the molded product.

[0062] (Configuration 9) The manufacturing apparatus according to configuration 6, wherein the lifting device stops its lifting motion at a plurality of different positions to remove a plurality of the molded products.

[0063] (Configuration 10) The manufacturing apparatus according to configuration 7 or 8, wherein the lifting device is capable of being separated from the eject rod.

[0064] (Configuration 11) The manufacturing apparatus according to configuration 10, wherein the lifting device and the eject rod are connected to each other when the mold is closed and are disconnected from each other when the mold is opened. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 06 Intermediate type 12 Eject Rod 14 Cam plate 19 Eject pin 22 Space section 23 Molten Resin 50 Slope 100 Injection molding equipment

Claims

1. a first molding step of performing molding using a first mold and an intermediate mold; a rotating step of rotating the intermediate mold; a second molding step of performing molding using a second mold and the intermediate mold; A method for producing an article having the following features: A method for manufacturing an article, comprising the steps of: removing the molded article molded in the first molding step from the intermediate mold.

2. The first molding step and the second molding step each include: a mold clamping step in which the second mold and the intermediate mold are moved along a mold moving direction to clamp the mold; a mold opening process in which the second mold and the intermediate mold are moved along a mold moving direction to open the mold; having The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 1 , wherein in the rotating step, the intermediate mold is rotated about a rotation axis perpendicular to a direction in which the mold moves.

3. Before the first molding step, a step of disposing the first mold and the second mold with the intermediate mold sandwiched between them; The method for manufacturing an article described in claim 2, further comprising a step of supporting the second mold and the intermediate mold with a support member that is arranged in the same direction relative to the first mold, the second mold, and the intermediate mold and extends in the mold movement direction.

4. The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 3 , wherein in the rotating step, the intermediate mold is rotated about an axis perpendicular to a support surface on which the intermediate mold is supported.

5. The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate mold is rotated every 90° in the rotating step.

6. The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 4, wherein in the intermediate removal step, a lifting device is raised and lowered in an axial direction of the rotation shaft to remove the molded article from the intermediate mold.

7. The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 6 , wherein the lifting device lifts and lowers an eject rod provided on the intermediate mold by contacting the eject rod.

8. The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 7, wherein a cam plate having an inclined portion and provided on the intermediate mold is moved by raising and lowering the eject rod.

9. The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 8, wherein an eject plate moves on the inclined portion of the cam plate, thereby moving an eject pin in the mold movement direction to eject the molded article.

10. 7. The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 6, wherein, in said intermediate removal step, the lifting operation of said lifting device is stopped at a plurality of different positions.

11. The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 10 , wherein a plurality of the molded articles are removed in the intermediate removal step.

12. The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 7 , wherein the lifting device is capable of being separated from the eject rod.

13. The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 1 , wherein different materials are supplied in the first molding step and in the second molding step.

14. 2. The method for manufacturing an article according to claim 1, wherein after the molded product is molded in the first molding step, the first molded product in the intermediate mold is removed in the intermediate removal step and assembled to a second molded product in the intermediate mold, the first molded product and the second molded product are welded together in the second molding step, and the welded first molded product and second molded product are removed from the intermediate mold.

15. A first mold; A second mold; a rotatable intermediate mold disposed between the first mold and the second mold and having a plurality of surfaces capable of being clamped to the first mold and a plurality of surfaces capable of being clamped to the second mold; A manufacturing apparatus comprising: The manufacturing apparatus further comprises a removal mechanism for removing a molded product from the intermediate mold.

16. The second mold and the intermediate mold are clamped and opened relative to the first mold by moving in a mold moving direction, The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the intermediate mold rotates about a rotation axis perpendicular to a direction in which the mold moves.

17. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the second mold and the intermediate mold are arranged in the same direction relative to the first mold, the second mold, and the intermediate mold, and are supported by a support member extending in the mold movement direction.

18. 20. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the intermediate mold rotates about an axis perpendicular to a support surface on which the intermediate mold is supported.

19. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the intermediate mold rotates every 90 degrees.

20. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a lifting device is raised and lowered in an axial direction of the rotation shaft, thereby removing a molded product from the intermediate mold.

21. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the lifting device lifts and lowers an eject rod provided on the intermediate mold by contacting the eject rod, thereby moving a cam plate having an inclined portion and provided on the intermediate mold.

22. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein an eject plate moves along the inclined portion of the cam plate, whereby an eject pin moves in the mold movement direction to eject the molded product.

23. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the lifting operation of the lifting device is stopped at a plurality of different positions, thereby removing a plurality of the molded products.

24. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the lifting device is capable of moving away from the eject rod.

25. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the lifting device and the eject rod are connected to each other when the mold is closed and are disconnected from each other when the mold is opened.

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