Runner removal method and injection molding apparatus

Abstract

This technology provides a way to easily remove runners without using a chuck. [Solution] A method for removing a runner in a mold having a first plate with a stripper plate, a second plate, and a third plate, with a cavity partitioned between the second plate and the third plate, comprises: (A) After a molded product has been formed in the cavity with the first plate, second plate, and third plate closed, the second plate and the third plate are separated from the first plate with the runner attached to the first plate; (B) Insert a guide portion having a pair of walls between the separated first plate and second plate to position the runner between the pair of walls; and (C) With the runner positioned between the pair of walls, operate the stripper plate to detach the runner from the mold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for removing a runner and an injection molding apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for extracting and discharging a runner remaining in a mold using a chuck.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technique, since a chuck is used to remove the runner, it may be necessary to change the form of the chuck according to the shape of the runner. Therefore, a technique capable of easily discharging the runner without using a chuck is required.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for removing a runner in a mold having a first plate with a stripper plate, a second plate, and a third plate, wherein a cavity is partitioned between the second plate and the third plate. This method for removing a runner comprises: (A) after a molded product has been formed in the cavity with the first plate, second plate, and third plate closed, separating the second plate and the third plate from the first plate with the runner attached to the first plate; (B) inserting a guide portion having a pair of wall portions between the separated first plate and second plate to position the runner between the pair of wall portions; and (C) operating the stripper plate to detach the runner from the mold while the runner is positioned between the pair of wall portions.

[0006] According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, an injection molding apparatus is provided. The injection molding apparatus comprises a clamping device on which a mold is mounted having a first plate having a stripper plate, a second plate, and a third plate, with a cavity partitioned between the second plate and the third plate; a guide section having a pair of walls; and a control unit that controls the operation of the mold and the guide section, wherein after a molded product is formed in the cavity with the first plate, second plate, and third plate closed, the control unit separates the second plate and the third plate from the first plate with the runner attached to the first plate, inserts the guide section between the separated first plate and second plate to position the runner between the pair of walls, and operates the stripper plate to detach the runner from the mold while the runner is positioned between the pair of walls. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the schematic configuration of an injection molding machine. [Figure 2] A cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of the material supply device. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the schematic configuration of a flat screw. [Figure 4] A schematic plan view of the barrel. [Figure 5] Perspective view of the molding die. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the molding die. [Figure 7] A process diagram showing how to remove the runner. [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram showing the process of opening the mold. [Figure 9] An explanatory diagram showing the process of opening the mold. [Figure 10] A diagram showing the guide section and removal handle inserted into the mold. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the guide section. [Figure 12] A diagram showing how the runner is removed and the molded product is demolded. [Figure 13] An explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the guide section in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] An explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the guide section in the third embodiment. [Figure 15] An explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the guide section in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] An explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the guide section in the fifth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] A. First Embodiment: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the injection molding apparatus 10. Figure 1 shows arrows indicating the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. The X and Y directions are parallel to the horizontal plane, and the Z direction is along the vertical direction. The X, Y, and Z directions shown in Figure 2 and subsequent figures correspond to the X, Y, and Z directions shown in Figure 1. In the following explanation, when specifying a direction, the positive direction indicated by the arrow is denoted as "+" and the negative direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow is denoted as "-", and both positive and negative signs are used in the direction notation. The +Z direction is vertically upward, and the -Z direction is vertically downward. Vertically upward is the opposite direction to vertically downward. Vertically downward is the direction in which gravity acts, and is also called the direction of gravity. Hereafter, vertically upward will simply be referred to as upward, and vertically downward will simply be referred to as downward.

[0009] The injection molding apparatus 10 comprises a material supply device 100, a mold clamping device 130, and a control unit 500. The injection molding apparatus 10 injects the plasticizing material generated by the material supply device 100 into the mold 160 to form a molded product. The operation of the material supply device 100 and the mold clamping device 130 is controlled by the control unit 500. The control unit 500 is configured as a computer with a CPU and memory, and controls each part of the injection molding apparatus 10 by executing a program stored in the memory. The control unit 500 may also be configured as a circuit.

[0010] A metal mold 160 is mounted on the clamping device 130. The mold 160 is not limited to metal; it may also be made of resin or ceramic. A metal mold 160 is referred to as a mold. Under the control of the control unit 500, the clamping device 130 rotates a ball screw 132 by driving a mold drive unit 131, which is composed of a motor, to open and close the mold 160. The configuration of the mold 160 will be described later.

[0011] The material supply device 100 is connected to a hopper 30 into which the material for the molded product is charged. As the material for the molded product, for example, a thermoplastic resin formed in pellet form is used. As the thermoplastic resin, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PC (polycarbonate), POM (polyacetal), PP (polypropylene), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), etc. are used. The material for the molded product may contain metals and ceramics in addition to the thermoplastic resin. The supply of the material to the material supply device 100 is not limited to the hopper 30, and may be performed, for example, through a tube through which the material is pressure-fed.

[0012] The material supply device 100 plasticizes at least a part of the material supplied from the hopper 30 to generate a plasticized material, and injects the generated plasticized material into a cavity partitioned within the mold 160. In this specification, "plasticization" is a concept including melting, and is to change from a solid state to a state having fluidity. Specifically, in the case of a material in which glass transition occurs, plasticization is to raise the temperature of the material above the glass transition point. In the case of a material in which glass transition does not occur, plasticization is to raise the temperature of the material above the melting point.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the material supply device 100. The material supply device 100 includes a plasticizing unit 110 that plasticizes at least a part of the material to generate a plasticized material, a nozzle 114 that injects the plasticized material, and an injection unit 120 that communicates with the nozzle 114.

[0014] The plasticizing unit 110 includes a flat screw 111, a barrel 112, and a heater 113.

[0015] The flat screw 111 is housed in the housing 101. The flat screw 111 is also called a rotor or simply a screw. The flat screw 111 is rotated within the housing 101 by the motor 118 around the drive shaft 119 of the motor 118. The central axis RX, which is the center of rotation of the flat screw 111, coincides with the center of the drive shaft 119 of the motor 118 in the XZ plane. In this embodiment, the axial directions of the drive shaft 119 and the central axis RX are along the Y direction. The rotation of the flat screw 111 by the motor 118 is controlled by the control unit 500. The flat screw 111 may also be driven by the motor 118 via a reduction gear.

[0016] A communication hole 115 is formed in the center of the barrel 112. The communication hole 115 communicates with the flow path 116. The cylinder 121 and nozzle 114, which will be described later, are connected to the flow path 116. A check valve 124 is provided in the flow path 116 upstream of the cylinder 121. The check valve 124 prevents backflow of the plasticizing material from the cylinder 121 to the flat screw 111.

[0017] The heater 113 heats the barrel 112. The heating by the heater 113 is controlled by the control unit 500.

[0018] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the flat screw 111. The flat screw 111 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the length in the direction along the central axis RX is smaller than the length in the direction perpendicular to the central axis RX. On the groove-forming surface 201 of the flat screw 111 facing the barrel 112, a spiral groove 202 is formed around the central part 205. The groove 202 communicates with a material inlet 203 formed on the side surface of the flat screw 111. The material supplied from the hopper 30 is supplied to the groove 202 through the material inlet 203. The groove 202 is formed by being separated by a protruding ridge 204. Figure 3 shows an example in which three grooves 202 are formed, but the number of grooves 202 may be one or two or more. Note that the groove 202 is not limited to a spiral shape, but may also be helical or involute curved, or may extend in an arc from the central part 205 toward the outer circumference.

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the barrel 112. The barrel 112 has an opposing surface 212 that faces the groove-forming surface 201 of the flat screw 111. A communication hole 115 that communicates with the flow path 116 is formed in the center of the opposing surface 212. Multiple guide grooves 211 are formed on the opposing surface 212 that are connected to the communication hole 115 and extend in a spiral shape from the communication hole 115 toward the outer circumference. Note that the barrel 112 does not necessarily have to be provided with guide grooves 211. Also, the guide grooves 211 do not necessarily have to be connected to the communication hole 115.

[0020] The material supplied to the groove 202 of the flat screw 111 is plasticized between the flat screw 111 and the barrel 112 by the rotation of the flat screw 111 and the heating of the heater 113, and flows along the groove 202 and guide groove 211 as the flat screw 111 rotates, and is guided to the central part 205 of the flat screw 111. The material that flows into the central part 205 flows out into the flow path 116 through a communication hole 115 provided in the center of the barrel 112.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the injection unit 120 has a cylinder 121 that communicates with the nozzle 114 and is connected to a flow path 116 through which the plasticizing material flows, a plunger 122 that moves inside the cylinder 121, and a plunger drive unit 123. The cylinder 121 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The cylinder 121 is also called a sleeve. The plunger 122 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The plunger drive unit 123 includes a ball screw 126 that moves the plunger 122 along the longitudinal direction of the plunger 122, and a motor 127 that drives the ball screw 126. When the ball screw 126 is driven by the motor 127, the plunger 122 connected to the ball screw 126 moves forward or backward. "Forward" is the direction in which the plunger 122 approaches the flow path 116. "Backward" is the direction in which the plunger 122 moves away from the flow path 116.

[0022] In the injection unit 120, the plunger drive unit 123 is controlled by the control unit 500 to perform suction and discharge operations. The suction operation is the operation of drawing plasticizing material from the flow path 116 into the cylinder 121 by moving the plunger 122 backward. The discharge operation is the operation of discharging the plasticizing material drawn into the cylinder 121 to the nozzle 114 by moving the plunger 122 forward. The control unit 500 controls the amount of plasticizing material injected from the nozzle 114, the injection speed, and the injection pressure by adjusting the amount and speed of movement of the plunger 122 during the suction and discharge operations. The suction operation is also called the metering operation.

[0023] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the mold 160. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mold 160. Figures 5 and 6 show the mold 160 in a closed state. The mold 160 includes a first plate 161, a second plate 162, and a third plate 163. In other words, the mold 160 of this embodiment is configured as a three-plate mold. The first plate 161 is equipped with a stripper plate 164 for discharging the runner 170. The second plate 162 is also called the fixed-side mold plate and corresponds to a fixed mold. The third plate 163 is also called the movable-side mold plate and corresponds to a movable mold. A cavity 165 in which the molded product is formed is partitioned between the second plate 162 and the third plate 163. The first plate 161 is attached to the material supply device 100. The second plate 162 and the third plate 163 are attached to the clamping device 130 via the movable-side mounting plate 166. The second plate 162 and the third plate 163 are movable relative to the first plate 161 in the clamping direction and the mold opening direction by the clamping device 130. In this embodiment, the clamping direction is the -Y direction, and the mold opening direction is the +Y direction.

[0024] Figure 7 is a process diagram showing the method for removing the runner 170. In step S10, the control unit 500 controls the plasticizing unit 110 and the injection unit 120 to perform injection molding with the mold 160 closed, that is, with the mold 160 in the state shown in Figures 5 and 6. In other words, the control unit 500 injects the plasticizing material from the nozzle 114 into the cavity 165 of the mold 160 to form the molded product.

[0025] In step S20, the control unit 500 opens the mold 160.

[0026] Figures 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams showing the opening of the mold 160. The control unit 500 controls the clamping device 130 to separate the second plate 162 and the third plate 163 of the mold 160 from the first plate 161, as shown in Figure 8. When the second plate 162 and the third plate 163 are separated from the first plate 161, the runner 170 and the molded product are separated, and the runner 170 becomes attached to the first plate 161. The runner 170 becoming attached to the first plate 161 includes the runner 170 becoming attached to the nozzle 114 inside the first plate 161 and the stripper plate 164 provided on the first plate 161. In this embodiment, the runner 170 becomes attached to both the tip of the nozzle 114 located inside the first plate 161 and the stripper plate 164. Next, the control unit 500 controls the clamping device 130 to separate the third plate 163 from the second plate 162, as shown in Figure 9.

[0027] Figure 10 shows the state in which the guide section 180 and the removal hand 193 are inserted into the mold 160. In step S30 of Figure 7, the control unit 500 inserts the guide section 180 and the removal hand 193, which are provided in the injection molding apparatus 10, into the mold 160, as shown in Figure 10.

[0028] The guide section 180 is a member that guides the discharge direction of the runner 170. The removal hand 193 is a device that picks up and removes the molded product. The control unit 500 inserts the guide section 180 between the separated first plate 161 and the second plate 162. The control unit 500 inserts the removal hand 193 between the separated second plate 162 and the third plate 163, and causes the suction section 194 provided on the removal hand 193 to pick up the molded product in the cavity 165. The removal hand 193 is configured as a suction hand attached to the tip of a robot arm (not shown).

[0029] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the guide section 180. The guide section 180 has a pair of wall sections 181. In this embodiment, the pair of wall sections 181 face each other in the X direction. The upper parts of the pair of wall sections 181 are connected by a connecting wall section 182. In other words, the guide section 180 has a U-shape with the bottom open. In this embodiment, the side of the guide section 180 facing the second plate 162 is open, but a wall surface may be arranged on the side of the guide section 180 facing the second plate 162. A pair of connecting members 183 extending in the vertical direction are connected to the connecting wall section 182. The pair of connecting members 183 are connected to the tip of an arm section 184 extending in the horizontal direction. The base end of the arm section 184 is connected to a guide drive section 185. The guide drive section 185 is composed of a linear actuator. In this embodiment, the arm section 184 is connected to the guide drive section 185 using a detachable mechanism 192. The attachment / detachment mechanism 192 in this embodiment has a clamp structure that allows the arm portion 184 to be attached to and detached from the guide drive unit 185 by operating the lever 191 without using any tools. In step S30 of Figure 7, the control unit 500 controls the guide drive unit 185 to move the guide portion 180 from top to bottom. As a result, the guide portion 180 is inserted between the first plate 161 and the second plate 162 from top to bottom. When the guide portion 180 is inserted between the first plate 161 and the second plate 162, the runner 170 attached to the first plate 161 is positioned between the pair of wall portions 181.

[0030] In step S40 of Figure 7, the control unit 500 removes the runner 170 and demolds the molded product.

[0031] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the removal of the runner 170 and the demolding of the molded product. From the state shown in Figure 10, the control unit 500 further moves the third plate 163 in the mold opening direction, causing the ejector pin 167 to protrude relative to the third plate 163, and the molded product is demolded from the cavity 165. The demolded molded product is transported to the outside of the mold 160 by the removal hand 193. The control unit 500 controls the clamping device 130 to further move the third plate 163 in the mold opening direction, and in conjunction with this, the stripper plate 164 provided on the first plate 161 is displaced in the mold opening direction. When the stripper plate 164 is displaced in the mold opening direction, the runner 170 that was attached to the first plate 161 is detached from the mold 160 and falls downward guided by the guide part 180. In this embodiment, a reverse tapered portion is formed around the tip of the nozzle 114, and the runner 170 bites into this reverse tapered portion, so that when the mold is opened, the runner 170 remains attached to the vicinity of the tip of the nozzle 114. When the stripper plate 164 moves in the mold opening direction, the runner 170 detaches from the reverse tapered portion at the tip of the nozzle 114, and the runner 170 separates from the first plate 161.

[0032] In step S50 of Figure 7, the control unit 500 uses a sensor 195 connected to the control unit 500 to detect whether the detached runner 170 has fallen downward. As shown in Figure 12, the sensor 195 in this embodiment is an optical sensor comprising a light-emitting unit 197 and a light-receiving unit 196. When the runner 170 passes between the light-receiving unit 196 and the light-emitting unit 197, the sensor 195 transmits a signal to the control unit 500 indicating that the runner 170 has fallen. The control unit 500 detects whether the detached runner 170 has fallen depending on whether or not it has received this signal. For example, if the control unit 500 determines that the detached runner 170 did not fall after the stripper plate 164 has been activated, it stops the operation of the injection molding apparatus 10. This prevents the mold 160 from being driven while the runner 170 is stuck between the first plate 161 and the second plate 162.

[0033] In the injection molding apparatus 10 of the first embodiment described above, when the stripper plate 164 is operated to detach the runner 170 from the mold 160, the guide portion 180 is inserted between the first plate 161 and the second plate 162. Therefore, by letting the runner 170 fall along the guide portion 180, the runner 170 can be easily detached from the mold 160 without gripping the runner 170 with a chuck or the like. In addition, in this embodiment, since the runner 170 is surrounded by the guide portion 180, it is possible to suppress the runner 170 from scattering in unintended directions other than downwards. As a result, for example, it is possible to suppress the runner 170 from getting caught on various shafts extending between the first plate 161 and the second plate 162, thereby suppressing injection leakage or malfunctions in the mold 160 caused by the runner 170 being caught between the first plate 161 and the second plate 162.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lower part of the guide section 180 is open, and the guide section 180 is inserted into the mold 160 from above to below. As a result, the runner 170 is easily discharged from the mold 160 by its own weight. This allows the runner 170 to be efficiently recovered, for example, by placing a recovery container below the injection molding apparatus 10.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sensor 195 can detect when the runner 170 falls. Therefore, if the runner 170 is not ejected from the mold 160, the operation of the injection molding apparatus 10 can be stopped. As a result, it is possible to suppress injection leakage and malfunctions of the mold 160, which can occur when the injection molding apparatus 10 is driven while the runner 170 remains inside the mold 160.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the guide section 180 is detachably attached to the guide drive section 185. Therefore, since the guide section 180 can be easily attached and detached, the mold 160 can be easily removed and maintained from above the injection molding apparatus 10.

[0037] B. Second Embodiment: Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the guide portion 180b in the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the guide portion 180 has an open bottom and is inserted into the mold 160 from top to bottom. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the guide portion 180b has a pair of wall portions 181b, similar to the first embodiment, but has an open top. In the second embodiment, in step S30 of Figure 7, the guide portion 180b is inserted into the mold 160 from bottom to top. In the example shown in Figure 14, an inclined surface 186 is provided below the guide portion 180b, and the fallen runner 170 falls along the guide portion 180b and then slides down the inclined surface 186. The other configurations of the injection molding apparatus 10 in the second embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0038] In the second embodiment described above, there is no need to position the arm portion 184 or the guide portion 180 above the mold 160, making it easy to remove the mold 160 and perform maintenance on the mold 160.

[0039] C. Third Embodiment: Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the guide section 180c in the third embodiment. The guide section 180c in the third embodiment has an injection nozzle 187 that ejects gas toward the runner 170. Specifically, the guide section 180c has a pair of wall sections 181c, similar to the first embodiment, and the pair of wall sections 181c are connected by a connecting wall section 182c. In the third embodiment, the injection nozzle 187 is provided on the connecting wall section 182c. In this embodiment, compressed air supplied from the outside via the air tube 198 is ejected from the injection nozzle 187. In step S40 of Figure 7, the control unit 500 operates the stripper plate 164 to detach the runner 170, and at the same time, or immediately thereafter, controls the injection nozzle 187 to eject gas from the injection nozzle 187. The other configurations of the injection molding apparatus 10 in the third embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0040] According to the third embodiment described above, since gas can be injected toward the runner 170 to discharge it, it is possible to suppress the runner 170 from getting stuck in a bridge-like manner between the first plate 161 and the second plate 162.

[0041] D. Fourth Embodiment: Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the guide section 180d in the fourth embodiment. The guide section 180d in the fourth embodiment has a pair of wall sections 181d and a connecting wall section 182d, similar to the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the guide section 180d is equipped with an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the pair of wall sections 181d. More specifically, in the fourth embodiment, the pair of wall sections 181d are configured to be movable relative to the connecting wall section 182d. The connecting wall section 182d is equipped with an actuator for moving the pair of wall sections 181d. For example, an air chuck can be used as such an adjustment mechanism. In step S30 of Figure 7, the control unit 500 inserts the guide section 180 between the first plate 161 and the second plate 162, and then adjusts the distance between the pair of wall sections 181d. For example, the control unit 500 adjusts the distance between the pair of wall sections 181d so that the distance is slightly greater than the width of the runner 170. The adjusted distance is specified in advance by the user. The spacing of the wall sections 181d may be adjusted automatically by the control unit 500, for example, by providing distance sensors on a pair of wall sections 181d and measuring the distance between the runner 170 and the pair of wall sections 181 using the distance sensors. The other configurations of the injection molding apparatus 10 in the fourth embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0042] According to the fourth embodiment described above, the range of movement of the detached runner 170 can be limited by adjusting the distance between the pair of wall portions 181d provided on the guide portion 180d. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the runner 170 from flying off in an unintended direction.

[0043] E. Fifth Embodiment: Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the guide portion 180e in the fifth embodiment. The guide portion 180e in the fifth embodiment has a pair of wall portions 181e and a connecting wall portion 182e. In the fifth embodiment, a spring 188, acting as an elastic body, is positioned between the connecting wall portion 182e and the arm portion 184e of the guide portion 180e. A pair of connecting members 183e are inserted through through holes formed in the arm portion 184e via bushings 190 and are movable in the vertical direction. The upper ends of the pair of connecting members 183e are connected to each other on the opposite side of the spring 188 by retaining members 189. The spring 188, connecting members 183e, arm portion 184e, and retaining members 189 constitute an elastic mechanism that elastically brings the guide portion 180 into contact with the runner 170. In step S30 of Figure 7, the control unit 500 controls the guide drive unit 185 to move the guide unit 180 downward, bringing the lower surface of the connecting wall portion 182 of the guide unit 180 into contact with the runner 170. Due to the action of the elastic mechanism described above, the guide unit 180 elastically contacts the runner 170. With the guide unit 180 in this elastic contact with the runner 170, the control unit 500 operates the stripper plate 164 in step S40. The other configurations of the injection molding apparatus 10 in the fifth embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0044] According to the fifth embodiment described above, by elastically contacting the guide portion 180 with the runner 170 from above and then operating the stripper plate 164, the runner 170 can be reliably detached downwards. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the runner 170 from flying off in an unintended direction.

[0045] F. Other embodiments: (F1) Each of the embodiments described above can be combined in any way. For example, two or more of the nozzle 187 in the third embodiment, the movable pair of wall portions 181d in the fourth embodiment, and the elastic mechanism in the fifth embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0046] (F2) In the above embodiment, the injection molding apparatus 10 is equipped with a flat screw 111 as the screw. Alternatively, the injection molding apparatus 10 may be equipped with an inline screw as the screw.

[0047] (F3) In the above embodiment, in step S50 shown in Figure 7, the sensor 195 is used to detect whether or not the runner 170 has fallen. However, the process in step S50 can be omitted.

[0048] (F4) In the above embodiment, the guide portion 180 is detachably connected to the guide drive unit 185 using the attachment / detachment mechanism 192. Alternatively, the guide portion 180 may be fixed to the guide drive unit 185 by bolts or the like.

[0049] (F5) In the first embodiment described above, the guide portion 180 is inserted into the mold 160 from above and downward. In contrast, the guide portion 180 may be inserted into the mold 160 from the horizontal direction. Also, the discharge direction of the runner 170 is not limited to downward. For example, by orienting the nozzle 187 in the third embodiment horizontally, it is also possible to discharge the runner 170 horizontally.

[0050] G. Other forms: This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each of the embodiments described below can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

[0051] (1) According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for removing a runner in a mold is provided, which has a first plate having a stripper plate, a second plate, and a third plate, wherein a cavity is partitioned between the second plate and the third plate. The method for removing a runner comprises: (A) After a molded product has been formed in the cavity with the first plate, second plate, and third plate closed, the second plate and the third plate are separated from the first plate with the runner attached to the first plate; (B) Insert a guide portion having a pair of wall portions between the separated first plate and second plate to position the runner between the pair of wall portions; and (C) With the runner positioned between the pair of wall portions, operate the stripper plate to detach the runner from the mold. In this configuration, when the stripper plate is operated to detach the runner from the mold, a guide is inserted between the first and second plates. Therefore, by ejecting the runner along the guide, the runner can be easily detached from the mold without having to grip it with a chuck or the like.

[0052] (2) In the above configuration, the guide portion is open vertically downward, and in step (B), the guide portion may be inserted vertically downward from vertically upward, which is the opposite direction to the vertical downward. With this configuration, the runner is easily ejected from the mold by its own weight.

[0053] (3) In the above configuration, the system may include a step of using a sensor to detect whether or not the detached runner has fallen vertically downward. With this configuration, for example, if the runner is not ejected, the operation of the injection molding apparatus can be stopped.

[0054] (4) In the above configuration, the guide portion has an injection port for injecting gas toward the runner, and step (C) may include the step of injecting the gas from the injection port. With this configuration, injecting gas toward the runner can prevent the runner from getting caught in a bridge-like manner between the first plate and the second plate.

[0055] (5) In the above embodiment, the guide portion is equipped with an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the pair of wall portions, and step (B) may include a step of adjusting the distance between the pair of wall portions using the adjustment mechanism. With this embodiment, by adjusting the distance between the pair of wall portions provided in the guide portion, it is possible to suppress the runner from scattering in an unintended direction.

[0056] (6) In the above embodiment, the guide portion is provided with an elastic mechanism that elastically brings the guide portion into contact with the runner, and step (B) may include the step of elastically bringing the guide portion into contact with the runner by the elastic mechanism. With this embodiment, by elastically bringing the guide portion into contact with the runner, it is possible to suppress the runner from flying off in an unintended direction when the stripper plate is operated.

[0057] (7) In the above configuration, the guide portion may be detachably attached to the guide drive portion that drives the guide portion using a detachable mechanism. With this configuration, the guide portion can be easily attached and detached, making it easy to remove the mold and perform maintenance on the mold.

[0058] (8) According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, an injection molding apparatus is provided. The injection molding apparatus comprises a clamping device on which a mold is mounted having a first plate having a stripper plate, a second plate, and a third plate, with a cavity partitioned between the second plate and the third plate; a guide section having a pair of walls; and a control unit that controls the operation of the mold and the guide section, wherein after a molded product has been formed in the cavity with the first plate, second plate, and third plate closed, the control unit separates the second plate and the third plate from the first plate with the runner attached to the first plate, inserts the guide section between the separated first plate and second plate to position the runner between the pair of walls, and operates the stripper plate to detach the runner from the mold while the runner is positioned between the pair of walls. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 10...Injection molding machine, 30...Hopper, 100...Material supply device, 101...Storage section, 110...Plasticizing section, 111...Flat screw, 112...Barrel, 113...Heater, 114...Nozzle, 115...Communication hole, 116...Flow path, 118...Motor, 119...Drive shaft, 120...Injection section, 121...Cylinder, 122...Plunger, 123...Plunger drive section, 124...Check valve, 126...Ball screw, 127...Motor, 130...Clamping device, 131...Mold drive section, 132...Ball screw, 160...Mold, 161...First plate, 162...Second plate, 163...Third plate, 164...Stripper plate, 165 ...cavity, 166...movable side mounting plate, 167...ejector pin, 170...runner, 180...guide section, 181...wall section, 182...connecting wall section, 183...connecting member, 184...arm section, 185...guide drive section, 186...inclined surface, 187...nozzle, 188...spring, 189...retaining member, 190...bush, 191...lever, 192...detachment mechanism, 193...removal hand, 194...suction section, 195...sensor, 196...light receiving section, 197...light emitting section, 198...air tube, 201...groove forming surface, 202...groove, 203...material input port, 204...protruding section, 205...center section, 211...guide groove, 212...opposing surface, 500...control section

Claims

1. A method for removing a runner in a mold having a first plate with a stripper plate, a second plate, and a third plate, wherein a cavity is partitioned between the second plate and the third plate, (A) After the molded product is formed in the cavity with the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate closed, the second plate and the third plate are separated from the first plate with the runner attached to the first plate, (B) A step of inserting a guide portion having a pair of wall portions between the separated first plate and the second plate, and positioning the runner between the pair of wall portions, (C) With the runner positioned between the pair of wall portions, the stripper plate is operated to detach the runner from the mold; A method for removing runners equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

2. A method for removing a runner according to claim 1, The guide section is open vertically downwards, In step (B) above, the guide portion is inserted from vertically upward, which is the opposite direction to the vertically downward, in a method for removing the runner.

3. A method for removing a runner according to claim 2, further, A method for removing a runner, comprising the step of detecting, using a sensor, whether or not the detached runner has fallen vertically downward.

4. A method for removing a runner according to claim 1, The guide portion has an injection nozzle that injects gas toward the runner, Step (C) is a method for removing a runner, comprising the step of injecting the gas from the nozzle.

5. A method for removing a runner according to claim 1, The guide section is equipped with an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the pair of wall sections. Step (B) is a method for removing a runner, which includes the step of adjusting the distance between the pair of wall portions using the adjustment mechanism.

6. A method for removing a runner according to claim 1, The guide portion is equipped with an elastic mechanism that elastically brings the guide portion into contact with the runner. Step (B) is a method for removing a runner, comprising the step of bringing the guide portion into elastic contact with the runner by the elastic mechanism.

7. A method for removing a runner according to claim 1, A method for removing a runner, wherein the guide portion is detachably attached to a guide drive unit that drives the guide portion using a detachable mechanism.

8. A mold clamping device is mounted on which a mold is attached, having a first plate with a stripper plate, a second plate, and a third plate, with a cavity partitioned between the second plate and the third plate. A guide section having a pair of wall sections, The system includes a control unit that controls the operation of the mold and the guide section, The control unit, After the molded product is formed in the cavity with the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate closed, the second plate and the third plate are separated from the first plate with the runner attached to the first plate. The guide portion is inserted between the separated first plate and the second plate to position the runner between the pair of wall portions. With the runner positioned between the pair of walls, the stripper plate is operated to detach the runner from the mold. Injection molding equipment.

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