Injection molding device

Abstract

To provide an injection molding machine for injection molding thermoplastic and thermosetting materials.SOLUTION: An injection molding machine 10 comprises: a first upstream mold 61 provided with a first gate opening 61G through which a first molding material flows; a second upstream mold 62 provided with a second gate opening 62G through which a second molding material flows; a first injection unit 100 for injecting the first molding material; a second injection unit 200 for injecting the second molding material, and a downstream mold 70 configured to be mold clampable with each of the first upstream mold 61 and the second upstream mold 62. The first injection unit 100 has a plasticizing mechanism 120 that plasticizes at least a portion of a thermoplastic material including a thermoplastic resin to produce the first molding material, and the second injection unit 200 has a mechanism that mixes the resin with a hardener to produce the second molding material, which is a thermosetting mixture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an injection molding apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, injection molding devices for multi-color molding that are equipped with multiple injection units and multiple molds have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rotary injection molding machine equipped with three injection units, three fixed molds, and three movable molds. In the rotary injection molding machine, each movable mold is rotatably attached to a movable platen and clamped to each fixed mold, and multi-color molding is performed by injecting different molding materials from each injection unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Publication number 2-23390 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, although Patent Document 1 mentions the injection of materials of different properties, it does not disclose the injection of a thermoplastic material as one material and a thermosetting material as the other material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The injection molding apparatus is an injection molding apparatus that molds a molded product including a first molding material and a second molding material, and is equipped with a first upstream mold having a first gate opening through which the first molding material flows, a second upstream mold having a second gate opening through which the second molding material flows, a first injection unit that injects the first molding material through the first gate opening, a second injection unit that injects the second molding material through the second gate opening, and a downstream mold configured to be clamped to each of the first upstream mold and the second upstream mold, wherein the first injection unit has a plasticization mechanism that plasticizes at least a portion of a thermoplastic material including a thermoplastic resin to produce the first molding material, and the second injection unit has a mechanism that mixes a resin and a curing agent to produce the second molding material, which is a thermosetting mixture. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an injection molding apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a first injection unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration of a first injection unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an end face of a scroll. [Figure 7A] FIG. [Figure 7B] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing another configuration of the barrel. [Figure 7C] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing another configuration of the barrel. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an area Ar1 in FIG. 5 . [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a second injection unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration of a second injection unit. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an area Ar2 in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of each nozzle and each gate opening along the injection direction. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second molding material generating mechanism. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram showing a method of injection molding. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] In each of the following figures, mutually orthogonal XYZ axes are added as necessary, the direction indicated by each arrow is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is the - direction. In the following explanation, gravity acts in the -Y direction. Note that the embodiment explained below is an example of the present invention.

[0008] 1.Device configuration In this embodiment, an injection molding apparatus having two injection units is exemplified. A schematic configuration of an injection molding apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 shows the injection molding apparatus 10 in a mold-open state. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the fixed platen 40 of the injection molding apparatus 10 as viewed from the -Z direction. Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the movable platen 20 as viewed from the +Z direction. In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the cavity shapes of each mold are omitted. Note that the injection molding apparatus of the present invention is not limited to having two injection units, and may have three or more injection units and a corresponding number of upper and lower molds.

[0009] The injection molding apparatus 10 sequentially injects two different types of molding materials to perform multi-color molding to manufacture a molded product. The molded product includes a first molding material and a second molding material as the two different molding materials. The first molding material is produced by plasticizing at least a portion of a thermoplastic material including a thermoplastic resin. The second molding material is a thermosetting mixture formed by mixing a resin, a hardener, and the like.

[0010] 1, the injection molding apparatus 10 includes a first injection unit 100, a second injection unit 200, an upstream mold 60, and a downstream mold 70. The injection molding apparatus 10 is placed on a plate-shaped installation board 22 along the XZ plane via a plurality of legs 24.

[0011] The upstream mold 60 has a first upstream mold 61 corresponding to the first injection unit 100 and a second upstream mold 62 corresponding to the second injection unit 200. The downstream mold 70 has a first lower mold 71 and a second lower mold 72.

[0012] In the following description, the injection by the first injection unit 100 is referred to as the first injection, and the injection by the second injection unit 200 is referred to as the second injection. For example, the second injection is performed after the first injection to manufacture a molded product. In addition, the upstream side mold 60 is also referred to as the upper mold 60, and the downstream side mold 70 is also referred to as the lower mold 70.

[0013] In addition to the above configuration, the injection molding apparatus 10 includes a movable platen 20, a rotating platen 30, a fixed platen 40, four tie bars 50, a clamping device 80, a control unit 90, and a spacer (not shown) corresponding to the second injection unit 200. The first injection unit 100 and the second injection unit 200, and an upper mold 60 are fixed to the fixed platen 40. The fixed platen 40 is fixed to the installation platen 22 via two legs 24. The movable platen 20 moves relatively to the fixed platen 40 in the +Z direction opposite to the injection direction during mold clamping. The movable platen 20 is provided with a rotating platen 30. A lower mold 70 is fixed to the rotating platen 30.

[0014] The movable platen 20 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member, and its main surface is disposed along the XY plane. The tie bars 50 penetrate the four corners of the main surface of the movable platen 20. The four tie bars 50 are rod-like members, and are disposed along the Z axis. The +Z end of each of the four tie bars 50 is fixed to the fixed platen 40, and the -Z end is fixed to the mold clamping device 80. In contrast, the movable platen 20 and the four tie bars 50 are not fixed, and the movable platen 20 is attached so as to be slidable with the four tie bars 50. The movable platen 20 moves relatively to the fixed platen 40 in a direction along the Z axis while being guided by the four tie bars 50 by a driving force generated by a mold opening / closing motor 81 of the mold clamping device 80. The movable platen 20 moves in the +Z direction to clamp the mold, and the movable platen 20 moves in the -Z direction to open the mold.

[0015] The movable platen 20, the four tie bars 50, and the mold opening / closing motor 81 constitute a mold clamping mechanism 45. The mold clamping mechanism 45 changes the relative positions of the upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70 in the direction along the Z axis, and clamps and opens the upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70.

[0016] A substantially disk-shaped rotating platen 30 is disposed at the center of the movable platen 20 in the +Z direction. The rotating platen 30 is connected to a rotating platen motor (not shown). The rotating platen 30 rotates about a rotation axis RX (described later) along the Z axis as a central axis by the rotational driving force generated by the rotating platen motor. The rotation motor is controlled by a control unit 90. A lower mold 70 is attached to the surface of the rotating platen 30 in the +Z direction. The lower mold 70 will be described in detail later.

[0017] The turntable 30 and the turntable motor constitute a position change mechanism 35. The position change mechanism 35 selectively makes the upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70 face each other. That is, the turntable 30 rotates relative to the upper mold 60, and the arrangement of the first lower mold 71 and the second lower mold 72 of the lower mold 70 facing the first upstream mold 61 and the second upstream mold 62 is switched. Therefore, it is possible to make the first lower mold 71 and the second lower mold 72 face each of the first upstream mold 61 and the second upstream mold 62. Hereinafter, the first upstream mold 61 is also referred to as the first upper mold 61, and the second upstream mold 62 is also referred to as the second upper mold 62.

[0018] The fixed plate 40 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member. The fixed plate 40 has a main surface arranged along the XY plane. Tie bars 50 are connected to the four corners of the main surface of the fixed plate 40 in the -Z direction. An upper mold 60 is arranged on the main surface of the fixed plate 40 in the -Z direction. A first upper mold 61 and a second upper mold 62 of the upper mold 60 are aligned in a direction along the X axis, with the first upper mold 61 arranged in the -X direction and the second upper mold 62 arranged in the +X direction.

[0019] The upper mold 60 of the fixed platen 40 and the lower mold 70 of the movable platen 20 are configured to be capable of being clamped. When the upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70 are clamped, the space sandwiched and partitioned by the upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70 functions as a cavity filled with a molding material. The structure of the cavity will be described later. The upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70 are each a mold for one piece. That is, the first upper mold 61 and either the first lower mold 71 or the second lower mold 72 are clamped. At the same time, the second upper mold 62 and the other of the first lower mold 71 and the second lower mold 72 are clamped. As a result, two cavities are formed by the upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70.

[0020] The first injection unit 100 and the second injection unit 200 are arranged side by side in a direction along the X-axis on the main surface in the +Z direction of the fixed platen 40. The first injection unit 100 is located in the -X direction corresponding to the first upper die 61, and the second injection unit 200 is located in the +X direction corresponding to the second upper die 62.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, the first upper mold 61 has a first gate opening 61G and a first upper mold cavity 61C. The second upper mold 62 has a second gate opening 62G and a second upper mold cavity 62C. The first gate opening 61G is provided in the -Z direction of the first upper mold 61. A first molding material flows into the first gate opening 61G. The second gate opening 62G is provided in the -Z direction of the second upper mold 62. A second molding material flows into the second gate opening 62G.

[0022] The first gate opening 61G and the second gate opening 62G are each a substantially circular opening. The first gate opening 61G and the second gate opening 62G are located at different positions in the direction along the Z axis.

[0023] The first gate opening 61G is connected to a first upper die cavity 61C. The second gate opening 62G is connected to a second upper die cavity 62C. The cavity shape in the -Z direction of the first upper die cavity 61C is based on the shape of a molded intermediate product molded in the first injection. The cavity shape in the -Z direction of the second upper die cavity 62C is based on the shape of a molded product molded in the second injection performed after the first injection.

[0024] Although not shown, the upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70 are provided with a refrigerant flow path. A refrigerant such as water flows through the refrigerant flow path to suppress the temperature rise of the upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70. In this way, when a thermoplastic first molding material is molded, the temperature of the upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70 is kept lower than the melting temperature of the resin, and the solidification of the injected first molding material is promoted. In the case of molding a thermosetting second molding material, the flow of the refrigerant may be suppressed to promote the hardening of the second molding material, and then the refrigerant may be circulated to lower the temperature of the molded product. The refrigerant may be circulated either when the mold is closed or when the mold is opened. Also, instead of cooling by the flow of the refrigerant, a known cooling means such as a Peltier element may be adopted.

[0025] The first injection unit 100 has a first nozzle 150 and a plasticizing mechanism (not shown), and injects the first molding material. The first nozzle 150 is disposed inside the first gate opening 61G. In the first injection, the first molding material is injected from the first nozzle 150 through the first gate opening 61G. The plasticizing mechanism plasticizes at least a portion of the thermoplastic material containing a thermoplastic resin to generate the first molding material. The plasticizing mechanism will be described in detail later.

[0026] The second injection unit 200 has a second nozzle 250 and a mechanism for generating a second molding material (not shown), and injects the second molding material. The second nozzle 250 is disposed inside the second gate opening 62G. In the second injection, the second molding material is injected from the second nozzle 250 through the second gate opening 62G. The mechanism for generating the second molding material mixes the resin and the hardener to generate the second molding material, which is a thermosetting mixture. Hereinafter, the mechanism for generating the second molding material is also referred to as the second molding material generating mechanism.

[0027] The first nozzle 150 and the second nozzle 250 are arranged differently in the direction along the Z axis. The injection directions of the molding materials from the first nozzle 150 and the second nozzle 250 are in the -Z direction and are parallel to each other. The configurations of the first nozzle 150 and the second nozzle 250 will be described later.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, a first lower die 71 and a second lower die 72, which are the lower die 70, are arranged on the rotating platen 30 of the movable platen 20. The first lower die 71 and the second lower die 72 are arranged rotationally symmetrical about the rotation axis RX. Although not shown in the drawings, the first lower die 71 and the second lower die 72 have similar cavity shapes. Hereinafter, the cavities of the first lower die 71 and the second lower die 72 are also referred to as lower die cavities 70C. The lower die cavities 70C are based on the shape of the molded product.

[0029] 3, for ease of explanation, the position where lower mold 70 faces first gate opening 61G and second gate opening 62G is indicated by a dashed circle as facing position P. At each facing position P, first lower mold 71 faces one of first gate opening 61G and second gate opening 62G, and second lower mold 72 faces the other of first gate opening 61G and second gate opening 62G.

[0030] In detail, for example, when the first lower die 71 and the first upper die 61 are clamped, the second lower die 72 and the second upper die 62 are clamped. Then, the opposing position P of the first lower die 71 faces the first gate opening 61G of the first upper die 61, and the opposing position P of the second lower die 72 faces the second gate opening 62G of the second upper die 62. In addition, the opposing position P of the first lower die 71 can also face the second gate opening 62G, and the opposing position P of the second lower die 72 can also face the first gate opening 61G. Note that each opposing position P is not limited to being arranged in the same manner.

[0031] 1, the mold clamping device 80 has a mold opening / closing motor 81 and at least two ejection pins (not shown). The mold clamping device 80 moves the movable platen 20 in the +Z direction to open and close the upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70, i.e., to open and clamp the mold.

[0032] The mold opening / closing motor 81 is driven under the control of the control unit 90 to move the movable platen 20 along the Z axis. At least one ejection pin is disposed at a position communicating with each of the first lower die cavity of the first lower die 71 and the second lower die cavity of the second lower die 72. When driven by the mold opening / closing motor 81, each ejection pin pushes out the molded product from the corresponding lower die cavity when the molds are opened, causing the molded product to be released from the mold. Each ejection pin is driven independently.

[0033] The control unit 90 controls the overall operation of the injection molding apparatus 10 to perform multi-color molding. The control unit 90 is configured by a computer equipped with one or more processors and a main memory device. The control unit 90 performs various functions by the processor executing programs and instructions loaded into the main memory device. Instead of the above configuration, the control unit 90 may be configured by combining multiple circuits that realize various functions. The control unit 90 outputs control commands to the above-mentioned turntable motor, mold opening / closing motor 81, first injection unit 100, and second injection unit 200.

[0034] A hopper (not shown) is connected to the first material supply section 102 of the first injection unit 100. The hopper temporarily stores a thermoplastic material, which is a raw material of the first molding material, and supplies it to the first injection unit 100 via the first material supply section 102. A second molding material generating mechanism (not shown) is connected to the second material supply section 202 on the second injection unit 200 side.

[0035] 2. First injection unit The configuration of the first injection unit 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 8. Fig. 5 shows a cross section along the XZ plane including the axis AX passing through the center of the opening of the first nozzle 150. Fig. 5 also shows the fixed platen 40 and the first upper mold 61 in addition to the first injection unit 100. Fig. 7A shows the first heating mechanism 119a embedded in the barrel 125 with a broken line. Fig. 7B shows the first heating mechanism 119b embedded in the barrel 125 with a broken line. Fig. 7C shows the first heating mechanism 119c embedded in the barrel 125 with a broken line.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, the first injection unit 100 includes a plasticizing mechanism 120 and an injection section 130. A hopper (not shown) is disposed in the +Y direction of the plasticizing mechanism 120. The hopper supplies a thermoplastic material containing a thermoplastic resin, which is a raw material of the first molding material, to the plasticizing mechanism 120. The thermoplastic material is charged into the hopper in the form of pellets, powder, or the like.

[0037] The plasticizing mechanism 120 melts and plasticizes at least a portion of the thermoplastic material supplied from the hopper to generate a first molding material having flowability. The first molding material generated by the plasticizing mechanism 120 is supplied to the injection section 130.

[0038] 5, the plasticizing mechanism 120 has a flat screw 124 and a drive motor 129. The flat screw 124 has a scroll 121, a barrel 125, and a first heating mechanism (not shown). The scroll 121 is substantially cylindrical, and the length along the axis AX is smaller than the diameter of the cross section. The axis of the scroll 121 coincides with the axis AX of the first nozzle 150.

[0039] In the scroll 121, a groove portion 122 is formed in a groove forming surface 111, which is an end face facing the barrel 125. A material inlet 123 is formed in the outer circumferential surface of the scroll 121. The groove portion 122 continues to the material inlet 123. The material inlet 123 receives the thermoplastic material supplied from a hopper.

[0040] The barrel 125 is substantially disk-shaped and is disposed opposite the groove forming surface 111 of the scroll 121. A communication hole 126 is disposed in the barrel 125, penetrating along the axis AX. The communication hole 126 functions as a flow path that guides the first molding material generated from a thermoplastic material to the first nozzle 150. An injection cylinder 132 is disposed in the barrel 125, penetrating along an axis perpendicular to the axis AX. The injection cylinder 132 constitutes a part of the injection section 130, and communicates with the communication hole 126.

[0041] 6, a central portion 112 of a groove forming surface 111 of a scroll 121 is a recess to which one end of a groove portion 122 is connected. The central portion 112 faces a communication hole 126 of a barrel 125 described later. The central portion 112 intersects with an axis line AX. The groove portion 122 is formed as a so-called scroll groove, and is formed in a spiral shape drawing an arc from the center where the axis line AX is located toward the outer circumferential surface side of the scroll 121.

[0042] The groove depth of the groove portion 122 gradually decreases from the outer circumferential surface side toward the center of the scroll 121. The groove depth of the groove portion 122 is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and may be constant from the outer circumferential surface side to the center of the scroll 121. The groove portion 122 may be formed in a spiral shape. The groove forming surface 111 is provided with a convex rib portion 113. The convex rib portion 113 constitutes a side wall portion of the groove portion 122 and extends along each groove portion 122.

[0043] In this embodiment, three groove portions 122 and three ridge portions 113 are arranged on the groove forming surface 111 of the scroll 121, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The number of groove portions 122 and ridge portions 113 is not limited to three, and any number of groove portions 122 and ridge portions 113, such as one, two, or four or more, may be provided. Furthermore, any number of ridge portions 113 may be provided relative to the number of groove portions 122.

[0044] Three material inlets 123 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the scroll 121 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of material inlets 123 may be one, two, or any number of four or more. The material inlets 123 are not limited to being arranged at equal intervals, and may be arranged at different intervals.

[0045] 7A, the barrel 125 has a communication hole 126, an opposing surface 127, and a plurality of guide grooves 128. The opposing surface 127 is disposed opposite the groove forming surface 111 of the scroll 121. The communication hole 126 is disposed at the center of the opposing surface 127 in a plan view from the +Z direction. The plurality of guide grooves 128 are connected to the communication hole 126 and extend in a spiral shape from the communication hole 126 toward the outer periphery. The plurality of guide grooves 128 have a function of guiding the first molding material to the communication hole 126.

[0046] The guide grooves 128 are not limited to being connected to the communication hole 126, and may be separate from the communication hole 126. Furthermore, the guide grooves 128 may be omitted.

[0047] A first heating mechanism 119a for heating the thermoplastic material is embedded in the barrel 125. The first heating mechanism 119a heats the thermoplastic material supplied between the groove forming surface 111 and an opposing surface 127 of the barrel 125 described later. The first heating mechanism 119a is a rod-shaped electric cartridge heater. The first heating mechanism 119a is inserted into a substantially cylindrical space (not shown) formed radially from the communication hole 126 to the outer periphery of the barrel 125. The first heating mechanism 119a is controlled by the control unit 90 described above. The set temperature of the first heating mechanism 119a, i.e., the heating temperature of the thermoplastic material, is appropriately set according to the type and physical properties of the thermoplastic material.

[0048] Here, the first heating mechanisms 119b and 119c are illustrated as examples of another configuration of the first heating mechanism 119a. As shown in FIG. 7B, the first heating mechanism 119b is composed of four rod-shaped heaters aligned along the Y axis with respect to the first heating mechanism 119a. Also, as shown in FIG. 7C, the first heating mechanism 119c is composed of two ring-shaped heaters, one large and one small, in a plan view from the +Z direction. The first heating mechanisms 119b and 119c are controlled by the control unit 90, similar to the first heating mechanism 119a. The first heating mechanisms 119b and 119c make it possible to change the set temperature between the outside and inside of the barrel 125, and thus the plasticization of the thermoplastic material can be precisely adjusted.

[0049] Although not shown, the flat screw 124 may be provided with a cooling device that cools the periphery of the flat screw 124. If the thermoplastic material is plasticized at the outer periphery of the scroll 121, the transportability of the thermoplastic material to the central portion 112 may decrease, and the first molding material may not be stably generated. Therefore, the above-mentioned cooling device may be used to suppress the thermoplastic material from being plasticized at the outer periphery of the scroll 121. As the above-mentioned cooling device, for example, a form in which cooling water is flowed around the outer periphery of the scroll 121 or the barrel 125 may be mentioned.

[0050] 5, the drive motor 129 is connected to the +Z end surface of the scroll 121. The drive motor 129 is driven in response to instructions from the control unit 90 described above, and rotates the scroll 121 about the axis line AX as the rotation axis.

[0051] The thermoplastic material supplied from the material inlet 123 is heated by the first heating mechanism 119a of the barrel 125 in the groove 122 of the scroll 121. As a result, at least a portion of the thermoplastic material is melted and plasticized by the heating, increasing its fluidity and becoming a first molding material. The first molding material is transported by the rotation of the scroll 121 and guided to the communication hole 126 of the barrel 125. As a result, the first molding material is supplied from the plasticizing mechanism 120 to the injection section 130 via the communication hole 126.

[0052] The injection section 130 measures the first molding material supplied from the plasticization mechanism 120, and injects it into a space defined by the first upper die 61 and the lower die 70 combined with the first upper die 61 in a clamped state. The injection section 130 has an injection cylinder 132, an injection plunger 134, a check valve 136, an injection motor 138, and a first nozzle 150.

[0053] Injection cylinder 132 is a substantially cylindrical space that is formed inside barrel 125 and communicates with communication hole 126. Injection plunger 134 is slidably disposed within injection cylinder 132 and reciprocates within injection cylinder 132 along the X-axis. When injection plunger 134 slides in the -X direction away from communication hole 126, the first molding material within communication hole 126 is drawn into injection cylinder 132 and measured.

[0054] Next, when the injection plunger 134 slides in the +X direction toward the communication hole 126, the first molding material in the injection cylinder 132 is pressure-fed toward the first nozzle 150. As a result, the first molding material is injected into the space defined by the first upper die 61 and the lower die 70.

[0055] The check valve 136 is disposed in the communication hole 126 and closer to the scroll 121 than the communication point between the injection cylinder 132 and the communication hole 126. The check valve 136 allows the first molding material to flow from the scroll 121 side to the first nozzle 150 side, while preventing the first molding material from flowing back from the first nozzle 150 side to the scroll 121 side. When the injection plunger 134 slides toward the communication hole 126 side, a spherical valve element of the check valve 136 moves toward the scroll 121 side, and the communication hole 126 is closed.

[0056] The injection motor 138 is driven in response to a command from the control unit 90 described above, and causes the injection plunger 134 to slide within the injection cylinder 132. The sliding speed and sliding distance of the injection plunger 134 are appropriately set according to the physical properties and filling amount of the first molding material, etc.

[0057] The first nozzle 150 is configured by a so-called hot runner. The first nozzle 150 is disposed inside the first upper die 61. The first nozzle 150 guides the first molding material in a heated state to the first gate opening 61G of the first upper die 61. The first nozzle 150 is disposed in the nozzle attachment hole 66 that penetrates along the axis AX described above. The first nozzle 150 has a main body portion 151, a tip 152, and a heat insulating portion 154.

[0058] 8, tip 152 is fixed to the end of first nozzle 150 on the first gate opening 61G side, and functions as tip 156 of first nozzle 150. Body 151 of first nozzle 150 is substantially cylindrical. Tip 156 is substantially conical. Tip 156 protrudes toward the first gate opening 61G side.

[0059] A flow path 155 is formed along the axis AX inside the main body 151 and inside the tip 152. The flow path 155 guides the first molding material to the first gate opening 61G. The flow path 155 branches off at a nozzle opening 153 formed in the tip 156. The nozzle opening 153 faces the end of the nozzle attachment hole 66 on the cavity side.

[0060] Two nozzle openings 153 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at the tip portion 156. Here, the number of nozzle openings 153 is not limited to two, and may be any number such as four. With the above-described structure, the first gate opening 61G has an open gate structure also known as a ring gate. Therefore, even when the first molding material is solidified, the flow path 155 is not blocked and is always open.

[0061] The first nozzle 150 has a heater 157 as a second heating mechanism for heating the first nozzle 150. The heater 157 is embedded inside the first nozzle 150. The heater 157 is a coil heater, and heats the first nozzle 150 under the control of the control unit 90. This maintains the molten state of the first molding material flowing through the flow path 155. Therefore, solidification of the first molding material in the flow path 155 is suppressed, and the first molding material can be effectively consumed to reduce waste material.

[0062] The heater 157 includes a tip heater 158 and a nozzle heater 159. The tip heater 158 is disposed surrounding the tip 152. The nozzle heater 159 is disposed on the flat screw 124 side, which is upstream of the tip heater 158. The heater 157 is not limited to being two members, the tip heater 158 and the nozzle heater 159, and may be a heater of a single member. The heater 157 is not limited to being a coil heater, and may be a known heater such as a band heater.

[0063] The heat insulating portion 154 is located between the first nozzle 150 and the nozzle attachment hole 66. The heat insulating portion 154 suppresses the transmission of heat from the first nozzle 150 to the first upper die 61. The heat insulating portion 154 may be formed of the same thermoplastic material as the first molding material, or may be formed of any material with a relatively low thermal conductivity, or may be formed as a gap.

[0064] 3.First molding material A description will now be given of the first molding material injected in the first injection of the first injection unit 100. In this specification, "plasticization" refers to the application of heat to a material having thermoplasticity to melt it.

[0065] The first molding material is produced from a thermoplastic material including a thermoplastic resin. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include engineering plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyacetal, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin, polylactic acid, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone, polycarbonate, modified polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polysulfone, polyethylene sulfone, polyarylate, polyimide, polyamide imide, and polyether imide. The thermoplastic resin is one of these, or a combination of two or more of them.

[0066] The thermoplastic material may contain pigments, metals, ceramics, and other additives, such as wax, flame retardants, antioxidants, and heat stabilizers, and may contain fibers, such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, cellulose fibers, and aramid fibers.

[0067] The thermoplastic material is preferably heated to or above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic resin and in a completely molten state is injected from the first nozzle 150. Specifically, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin, which has a glass transition temperature of about 120°C, is preferably injected at about 200°C.

[0068] 4. Second injection unit The configuration of the second injection unit 200 will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 12. Fig. 10 shows a cross section along the XZ plane including the axis AX passing through the center of the opening of the second nozzle 250. Fig. 10 also shows the fixed platen 40 and the second upper mold 62 in addition to the second injection unit 200. Fig. 12 shows the periphery of the first nozzle 150 and the first gate opening 61G corresponding to the first injection unit 100, and the periphery of the second nozzle 250 and the second gate opening 62G corresponding to the second injection unit 200, enlarged and arranged side by side in the same cross section as Figs. 5 and 10. For reference, the position of the first upper mold cavity 61C of the first upper mold 61 used in the first injection is shown by a broken line in the periphery of the second nozzle 250 in Fig. 12.

[0069] The second injection unit 200 has components in common with the first injection unit 100. Therefore, the same components as those in the first injection unit 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 9, the second injection unit 200 has a second nozzle 250 instead of the first nozzle 150 of the first injection unit 100. In addition, the second injection unit 200 is provided with a spacer S in the -Z direction of the plasticizing mechanism 120. In contrast, the above-mentioned first injection unit 100 is not provided with a spacer S. The spacer S is a ring-shaped flat plate. Thereby, the spacer S of the second injection unit 200 adjusts the position of the second nozzle 250 relative to the first nozzle 150 of the first injection unit 100 in the -Z direction, which is the injection direction.

[0071] Although not shown, the second injection unit 200 is provided, in the +Y direction of the plasticizing mechanism 120, with the above-mentioned second molding material generating mechanism in place of the hopper of the first injection unit 100. The second molding material generating mechanism will be described later.

[0072] 10, the second injection unit 200 has a flat screw 124 and a drive motor 129. The flat screw 124 has a scroll 121, a barrel 125, and a first cooling mechanism described below.

[0073] The barrel 125 of the second injection unit 200 does not have the first heating mechanism 119a compared to the barrel 125 of the first injection unit 100. Alternatively, the barrel 125 may have the first heating mechanism 119a, but the first heating mechanism 119a is not operated in the second injection unit 200. This is because the second molding material flowing through the second injection unit 200 is thermosetting and may harden within the second injection unit 200 by heating. The second injection unit 200 also includes a first cooling mechanism, which will be described later.

[0074] The first cooling mechanism has a cooling water circulation device (not shown) and a cooling water flow path 269 in the barrel 125. The cooling water flow path 269 is a flow path of cooling water drilled inside the barrel 125. In the cooling water flow path 269, the cooling water sent from the circulation device of the first cooling mechanism flows and flows back to the circulation device. In this way, the first cooling mechanism cools the barrel 125 of the flat screw 124 and cools the second molding material supplied between the groove forming surface 111 and the opposing surface 127. The cooling temperature of the barrel 125 by the cooling water is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 20°C or higher and 30°C or lower. Therefore, hardening of the second molding material can be suppressed inside the second injection unit 200.

[0075] The second nozzle 250 is disposed inside the second upper die 62. The second nozzle 250 guides the second molding material to the second gate opening 62G of the second upper die 62 without heating it. The second nozzle 250 is disposed in the nozzle attachment hole 66 that penetrates along the axis AX described above.

[0076] The second molding material has a lower viscosity than the first molding material. Therefore, the second injection unit 200 has a seal structure 267 at a position where it contacts the outer periphery of the end of the scroll 121 in the +Z direction. The seal structure 267 closes the gap between the plasticizing mechanism 120 and the scroll 121. The second injection unit 200 also has a seal structure 268 at the end of the injection cylinder 132 in the +X direction. The seal structure 268 closes the gap between the injection plunger 134 and the injection cylinder 132. The seal structures 267 and 268 are, for example, O-rings. The seal structures 267 and 268 prevent the second molding material from leaking into and out of the second injection unit 200.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 11, the main body 271 of the second nozzle 250 is substantially cylindrical. The main body 271 is covered by a substantially cylindrical cover 273. A gap 275 is provided between the main body 271 and the cover 273. The gap 275 is located inside the main body 271 and continuously covers the substantially cylindrical main body 271. The gap 275 is closed in the +Z direction and the -Z direction by two O-rings 285. The space surrounded by the gap 275 and the two O-rings 285 becomes a flow path of cooling water for the second cooling mechanism 261 described later. In the following description, the space surrounded by the gap 275 and the O-rings 285 is also simply referred to as the gap 275. The main body 271 is formed of, for example, copper. The cover 273 is formed of, for example, stainless steel.

[0078] A tip portion 256 is disposed at the tip of the second nozzle 250 in the -Z direction. The tip portion 256 protrudes toward the second gate opening 62G. One nozzle opening 253 is disposed at the tip portion 256. A flow path 255 is formed along the axis line AX from the inside of the main body portion 271 to the nozzle opening 253. The flow path 255 guides the second molding material to the second gate opening 62G. The flow path 255 continues straight along the axis line AX to the nozzle opening 253 formed at the tip portion 256 toward the cavity side. The nozzle opening 253 of the second nozzle 250 is not limited to the above form, and may be a ring gate similar to the nozzle opening 153 of the first nozzle 150.

[0079] The second injection unit 200 has a second cooling mechanism 261 that cools the second nozzle 250. The second cooling mechanism 261 includes a gap portion 275, joint portions 281 and 283, piping portions 282 and 284, and a cooling water circulating portion (not shown).

[0080] The joint parts 281, 283 are disposed facing each other in the direction along the X-axis, sandwiching the main body part 271. With respect to the cover part 273, the joint part 281 is located in the +X direction, and the joint part 283 is located in the -X direction. The piping part 282 is connected to the +X direction of the joint part 281. The piping part 284 is connected to the -X direction of the joint part 283. The piping parts 282, 284 are, for example, liquid supply tubes made of resin.

[0081] Although not shown in the figure, the +X direction of the piping portion 282 and the −X direction of the piping portion 284 are connected to a cooling water circulating portion. The cooling water circulating portion is, for example, a chiller, and circulates cooling water that cools the second nozzle 250.

[0082] The joints 281 and 283 are attached to the cover 273 by drilling the side of the cover. The joints 281 and 283 are penetrated. Therefore, a flow path of the cooling water is formed that passes from the cooling water circulation unit through the piping 282, the joint 281, the gap 275, the joint 283, and the piping 284 and returns to the cooling water circulation unit. For example, the cooling water sent from the cooling water circulation unit flows from the joint 281 into the gap 275, and flows out from the joint 283 to the piping 284 while absorbing the heat of the second nozzle 250. That is, the second cooling mechanism 261 cools and keeps the flow path 255 at a predetermined temperature, suppresses the hardening of the second molding material, and suppresses the occurrence of clogging of the second nozzle 250. The cooling temperature of the flow path 255 by the cooling water is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 20°C or higher and 30°C or lower.

[0083] Also, a gap 254 is formed between the main body 271 of the second nozzle 250 and the second gate opening 62G. The gap 254 is located between the second nozzle 250 and the nozzle attachment hole 66 of the second upper die 62. The gap 254 suppresses the transmission of heat from the second upper die 62 to the second nozzle 250. The gap 254 may be filled with a known heat insulating material or the like. As a result, hardening of the second molding material in the flow path 255 is suppressed, and clogging of the second nozzle 250 can be suppressed.

[0084] Returning to FIG. 10, the spacer S is disposed between the second injection unit 200 and the fixed platen 40, and surrounds the second nozzle 250. In this embodiment, the thickness of the spacer S in the direction along the Z axis is about 1 mm. As a result, when the second injection is performed after the first injection, the second nozzle 250 is located in the +Z direction further than the first nozzle 150. In other words, when the second molding material is injected after the first molding material, the second gate opening 62G is disposed at a position farther from the lower mold 70 than the first gate opening 61G.

[0085] Furthermore, when the second molding material is injected before the first molding material, the spacer S is not arranged in the second injection unit 200, but is arranged in the first injection unit 100. According to this, the second nozzle 250 is located in the -Z direction further than the first nozzle 150. In other words, when the second injection is performed before the first injection, the second gate opening 62G is arranged in a position closer to the lower mold 70 than the first gate opening 61G.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 12, in the injection molding apparatus 10, the second nozzle 250 of the second injection unit 200 is shifted about 1 mm in the +Z direction from the first nozzle 150 of the first injection unit 100. The first upper mold 61 and the second upper mold 62 are designed in advance to correspond to the positions of the first nozzle 150 and the second nozzle 250 in the direction along the Z axis, and the first gate opening 61G and the second gate opening 62G and the first upper mold cavity 61C and the second upper mold cavity 62C are designed. Therefore, the second gate opening 62G of the second upper mold 62 is located downstream in the -Z direction, which is the injection direction, by about 1 mm from the first gate opening 61G of the first upper mold 61. Therefore, the second gate opening 62G applied to the second injection performed after the first injection is located upstream in the injection direction from the first gate opening 61G applied to the first injection, and is disposed away from the lower mold 70.

[0087] In the mold clamped state, the volume of the second cavity C2 defined by the second upper mold 62 and the lower mold 70 of the second injection unit 200 is larger than the volume of the first cavity C1 defined by the first upper mold 61 and the lower mold 70 of the first injection unit 100. The first cavity C1 corresponds to the space formed by the first upper mold cavity 61C and the lower mold cavity 70C. The second cavity C2 corresponds to the space formed by the second upper mold cavity 62C and the lower mold cavity 70C.

[0088] As a result, when manufacturing a molded product from the first molding material and the second molding material, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of insufficient filling of the molding material injected later. More specifically, with the above-mentioned arrangement, the second injection is performed at a position farther from the lower mold 70 in the +Z direction than the first injection. Therefore, the first molding material injected in the first injection is prevented from narrowing the gate opening through which the second molding material of the second injection flows in. This ensures that the second molding material of the second injection is filled without insufficiency.

[0089] When the second injection is performed before the first injection, the spacer S is removed from the second injection unit 200 instead of being disposed in the first injection unit 100. When the injection molding apparatus 10 has three or more injection units, the thickness of the spacer S along the Z axis or the number of spacers disposed may be changed accordingly.

[0090] 5.Second molding material The second molding material injected in the second injection of the second injection unit 200 will be described. In this specification, the term "thermosetting" refers to a property in which a polymerization reaction proceeds by heat and the material hardens. The second molding material is a mixture containing a thermosetting material having thermosetting properties and a polymerization initiator, and may also contain additives.

[0091] Examples of the thermosetting material include known thermosetting resins such as silicone resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane, polyimide, etc. As the polymerization initiator, a known curing catalyst corresponding to the above-mentioned thermosetting resin is used.

[0092] The second molding material is produced by mixing a first liquid containing a thermosetting material and a second liquid containing a polymerization initiator. When the first liquid and the second liquid are mixed, the polymerization reaction proceeds slowly even at room temperature, so it is preferable to mix them just before the second injection. For this reason, the second injection unit 200 includes a pressure-feeding pump and a metering pump for the first liquid, and a pressure-feeding pump and a metering pump for the second liquid, which will be described later.

[0093] The second molding material may contain pigments, metals, ceramics, etc. Also, additives such as wax, flame retardants, antioxidants, heat stabilizers, etc. Furthermore, fibers such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, cellulose fibers, and aramid fibers may also be added.

[0094] 6.Second molding material generation mechanism 13, the second molding material generating mechanism of the injection molding apparatus 10 has pressure-feed pumps 301 and 302, metering pumps 401 and 402, and a mixer 500. Since the second molding material is a two-liquid mixing type, two systems are provided: pressure-feed pump 301 and metering pump 401 for the first liquid, and pressure-feed pump 302 and metering pump 402 for the second liquid.

[0095] Although not shown, each of the pressure pumps 301, 302 has a raw material container, an air inlet, and a material pressure delivery port. Compressed air is supplied to each air inlet via piping. The compressed air is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by a pressure regulating valve of the pressure pumps 301, 302. The first and second liquids supplied from each raw material container are pressure-delivered to the metering pumps 401, 402 via the material pressure delivery ports by the compressed air. A known device can be used for the pressure delivery pumps 301, 302.

[0096] Although not shown, the metering pumps 401, 402 each have a metering motor and a material supply port. The metering pumps 401, 402 measure the first liquid and the second liquid pumped from the pressure pumps 301, 302 using their respective metering motors, and send the liquid from each material supply port to the mixing device 500. The metering function of the metering pumps 401, 402 manages the mixing ratio of the first liquid containing a thermosetting material and the second liquid containing a polymerization initiator. The metering pumps 401, 402 can be made of known devices.

[0097] The mixer 500 generates a second molding material by mixing the first liquid and the second liquid supplied from the two metering pumps 401, 402. The mixer 500 is, for example, a static mixer, and supplies the generated second molding material to the second material supply section 202 of the second injection unit 200. As the mixer 500, a known device including a static mixer can be used.

[0098] The second molding material is sent to the injection part 130 via the flat screw 124. At this time, the scroll 121 does not need to be rotated. Alternatively, the second molding material may be sent directly from the second material supply part 202 to the injection part 130 without passing through the flat screw 124.

[0099] The second molding material generating mechanism consisting of the pressure pumps 301 and 302, the metering pumps 401 and 402, and the mixer 500 is not limited to the above-mentioned form. Other forms of the second molding material generating mechanism may be, for example, a form consisting of the pressure pumps 301 and 302, the metering pumps 401 and 402, and the plasticizing mechanism 120, omitting the mixer 500. In detail, the first liquid and the second liquid may be mixed by the flat screw 124 of the plasticizing mechanism 120 to generate the second molding material. That is, the function of the mixer 500 may be assigned to the plasticizing mechanism 120. In this case, in order to supply the first liquid and the second liquid to the plasticizing mechanism 120 separately, the second material supply unit 202 is connected to the joints of the inlet 2 and the outlet 1.

[0100] 7.Injection molding method An injection molding method using the injection molding apparatus 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the following description, Fig. 1 and the like will also be referenced. As shown in Fig. 14, the injection molding method using the injection molding apparatus 10 includes steps S1 to S12. Note that the process flow described below is an example and is not limited to this.

[0101] In step S1, the injection molding apparatus 10 is prepared. At this time, the upper mold 60 and the lower mold 70 corresponding to the desired molded product are attached to the injection molding apparatus 10, and the injection molding apparatus 10 is opened. In addition, the raw materials of the first molding material and the second molding material are replenished. The heating mechanisms and the cooling mechanisms of the first injection unit 100 and the second injection unit 200 are operated.

[0102] If the first upper die 61 and one of the lower dies 70 are not opposed to each other, the position changing mechanism 35 rotates the turntable 30 to position the first upper die 61 and one of the lower dies 70 so that they face each other. This automatically positions the second upper die 62 and the other one of the lower dies 70 so that they face each other. Note that, at the stage of step S1, the first molding material and the second molding material may be produced for the first injection and the second injection. Then, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0103] In step S2, the mold is clamped by the mold opening / closing motor 81. This forms a first cavity C1 into which the first molding material is filled by the first injection. In the next step S3, the second injection is not performed, but the second cavity C2 is also formed at the same time. Then, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0104] In step S3, a first injection is performed. The first molding material is filled into the first cavity C1 from the first nozzle 150 of the first injection unit 100. Then, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0105] In step S4, the mold is kept closed and pressure is held and cooled. In the pressure holding step, the first cavity C1 is filled with the first molding material. In the cooling step, the first molding material in the first cavity C1 is cooled to below its melting point. This causes the first molding material in the first cavity C1 to solidify, forming an intermediate molded product made of the first molding material. Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0106] In step S5, the mold is opened. The first upper mold 61 is separated from one of the lower molds 70 by the mold opening / closing motor 81. At this time, the intermediate body of the first molding material remains on the lower mold 70 side. Then, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0107] In step S6, the rotating platen 30 is rotated. At this time, the lower die 70 on which the intermediate product of the first molding material remains is opposed to the second upper die 62. In addition, the first upper die 61 and the empty lower die 70 without the intermediate product naturally face each other. Then, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0108] In step S7, the mold is clamped. As a result, a second cavity C2 is formed by the lower mold 70 on which the intermediate body remains and the second upper mold 62. In addition, an empty first cavity C1 is also formed by the first upper mold 61 and the empty lower mold 70. Then, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0109] In step S8, the second injection is performed. The second molding material is filled into the second cavity C2 from the second nozzle 250 of the second injection unit 200. Here, when multiple molded products are to be manufactured continuously, the first injection may be performed into the first cavity C1. Then, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0110] In step S9, the mold is kept closed and pressure is maintained and cooling is performed. In the pressure maintenance step, the second cavity C2 is refilled with the second molding material and the hardening of the thermosetting material is completed. In the cooling step, the second molding material in the second cavity C2 is cooled. As a result, the second molding material in the second cavity C2 is integrated with the intermediate product of the first molding material to form a molded product. Here, if the first injection is also performed in step S8, an intermediate product of the first molding material is also formed as described above. Then, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0111] In step S10, the mold is opened and released. First, the second upper mold 62 and the lower mold 70 are separated from each other. At this time, the molded product is released by the above-mentioned ejection pin corresponding to the second cavity C2. If an intermediate body of the first molding material is formed in step S9, the intermediate body is not released and is left in the lower mold 70. Then, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0112] In step S11, the rotary platen 30 is rotated to make the first upper die 61 and the second upper die 62 face the lower die 70. When an intermediate body of the first molding material is formed in step S10, the lower die 70 on which the intermediate body remains is made to face the second upper die 62. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0113] In step S12, it is determined whether the injection molding is complete. If the molding is complete (YES), that is, if no intermediate body of the first molding material remains in the lower mold 70, the process ends here. If the molding is not complete (NO), that is, if the intermediate body remains in the lower mold 70, the process returns to step S7 to continue molding.

[0114] When three or more injection units and three or more upper dies 60 and lower dies 70 are used, injection from different injection units may be performed simultaneously to form molded products continuously, as described above.

[0115] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0116] A molded product can be obtained from a thermoplastic material and a thermosetting material. More specifically, a first molding material, which is a thermoplastic material, is injected by a first injection unit 100 into a first upstream mold 61 that is clamped to a downstream mold 70. A second molding material, which is a thermosetting material, is injected by a second injection unit 200 into a second upstream mold 62 that is clamped to the downstream mold 70. This makes it possible to provide an injection molding device 10 that molds a molded product from a thermoplastic material and a thermosetting material.

[0117] (Other aspects) In the above embodiment, the plasticizing mechanism 120 of the first injection unit 100 is configured to include the flat screw 124. In contrast to this, the plasticizing mechanism 120 may be configured to include, instead of the flat screw 124, an in-line screw having a helical groove formed on a long shaft and a cylindrical barrel surrounding the in-line screw, and to plasticize the thermoplastic material using the relative rotation of the in-line screw and the cylindrical barrel to generate the first molding material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 10...injection molding apparatus, 61...first upstream mold, 61G...first gate opening, 62...second upstream mold, 62G...second gate opening, 70...downstream mold, 100...first injection unit, 111...groove forming surface, 119a, 119b, 119c...first heating mechanism, 120...plasticization mechanism, 121...scroll, 122...groove portion, 125...barrel, 126...communicating hole, 127...opposing surface, 150...first nozzle, 157...heater as second heating mechanism, 200...second injection unit, 250...second nozzle, 254...gap, 261...second cooling mechanism.

Claims

1. An injection molding apparatus for molding a molded product including a first molding material and a second molding material, a first upstream mold having a first gate opening through which the first molding material flows; a second upstream mold having a second gate opening through which the second molding material flows; a first injection unit that injects the first molding material through the first gate opening; a second injection unit that injects the second molding material through the second gate opening; a downstream mold configured to be clamped to each of the first upstream mold and the second upstream mold; A control unit; Equipped with The first injection unit has a plasticizing mechanism that plasticizes at least a portion of a thermoplastic material including a thermoplastic resin to generate the first molding material; The second injection unit has a mechanism for mixing a resin and a hardener to generate the second molding material, which is a thermosetting mixture; The plasticization mechanism is a first scroll having a first groove forming surface on which a groove is formed; a first barrel having a first opposing surface opposing the first groove forming surface and a first communication hole; a first heating mechanism for heating the thermoplastic material supplied between the first groove forming surface and the first opposing surface; the first heating mechanism includes a first heater and a second heater, and the first heater is disposed closer to the first communication hole than the second heater is in a direction along the first opposing surface; The control unit controls a temperature of the first heater and a temperature of the second heater separately. Injection molding equipment.

2. The second injection unit is a second scroll having a second groove forming surface on which a groove is formed; a second barrel having a second opposing surface opposing the second groove forming surface and a second communication hole; 2. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first cooling mechanism that cools the second molding material supplied between the second groove forming surface and the second opposing surface.

3. 3. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first injection unit has a first nozzle that injects the first molding material, and a second heating mechanism that heats the first nozzle.

4. the second injection unit has a second nozzle for injecting the second molding material, The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a gap is formed between the second nozzle and the second gate opening.

5. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the second injection unit has a second cooling mechanism for cooling the second nozzle.

6. When the second molding material is injected after the first molding material, the second gate opening is disposed at a position farther from the downstream mold than the first gate opening; 6. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the second molding material is injected before the first molding material, the second gate opening is positioned closer to the downstream mold than the first gate opening.

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