Injection Molding Machine Mold Clamping Frame Parallelism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional injection molding machines face challenges in maintaining parallelism between mold platens due to bending deformation of the first and second members under reactive forces, leading to burr formation, especially when the mold clamping force is high, and there is a demand for a smaller and lighter mold clamping frame.
Innovation Solution
The injection molding machine features a mold clamping frame with flexible connections between the first and second members and the platens, supported by a base frame that allows for rotation and sliding of these members, along with balancing cylinders to cancel out bending moments and absorb deformations, maintaining parallelism without deforming the base frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the rigidity of the connecting member is increased to suppress bending deformation, then the connecting member can maintain parallelism between platens, but the mold clamping frame becomes larger and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the mold clamping frame by introducing an H-type configuration with a connecting member that has increased moment of inertia through its cross-sectional geometry. This allows the connecting member to resist bending deformation without requiring a proportional increase in overall frame size or weight, thus maintaining parallelism while controlling weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction in the connecting member by combining multiple structural elements (flanges, webs, and reinforcement sections) to create a composite cross-section that provides high bending stiffness relative to its weight. This composite structure achieves the required rigidity without using a single heavy material or oversizing the component.
2Weight of stationary object
If the mold clamping frame is made smaller and lighter, then the device size and weight are reduced, but the bending rigidity of the first and second members decreases causing severe bending deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the first and second members by designing their cross-sectional properties and length-to-depth ratios to achieve adequate bending resistance in smaller, lighter configurations. The connecting member's enhanced moment of inertia compensates for the reduced size of the overall frame, allowing smaller dimensions while maintaining sufficient rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mold clamping frame into distinct functional components (first member, second member, connecting member) with optimized individual characteristics. The connecting member acts as a stiffening element that compensates for the reduced rigidity of the smaller first and second members, allowing the overall frame to be lighter while maintaining performance.
3Manufacturing precision
If the connecting member is made more rigid to prevent bending, then parallelism is maintained, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves the required parallelism by optimizing the moment of inertia parameter of the connecting member through its cross-sectional geometry rather than adding complex mechanical components. This parametric optimization provides the necessary stiffness while keeping the structure relatively simple and avoiding additional mechanisms.
4Manufacturing precision
If balancing cylinders are added to cancel bending moments, then parallelism is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the H-type connecting member with enhanced moment of inertia that proactively resists bending moments before they cause deformation. This structural pre-engineering eliminates the need for active balancing mechanisms, as the connecting member's geometry itself provides the counteracting stiffness required to maintain parallelism under load.
Data Source
AI summary
An injection molding machine comprises a stationary platen 46 and a movable platen 40. The stationary platen 46 and movable platen 40 may be supported on a base frame 10. A mold clamping frame 56 comprises a first member 54 joined to the stationary platen 46, a second member 24 joined to the movable platen 40, and connecting members 78 and 80 for connecting the first member 54 and the second member 24 at their approximate centers. A mold clamping cylinder 50 is disposed between the first member 54 and the stationary platen 46 or between the second member 24 and the movable platen 40. The stationary platen 46 and the first member 54 are joined in a flexible manner, and the movable platen 40 and the second member 24 are similarly joined in a flexible manner.