Injection Molding Quick-Change Frame Alignment Guide Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-change frame constructions for injection molding machines lack accurate alignment of material distributing nozzles with mold insert members, leading to potential leakage and inefficiencies in the molding process.
Innovation Solution
A two-part frame design with an ejector part and an injection part, featuring support pins and guide elements that facilitate the alignment of mold insert members with the material distributing sub-assembly, allowing for precise alignment and secure clamping to prevent leakage during the molding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a two-part frame construction is used for quick change of mold sub-assemblies, then the time required for removal and installation is reduced, but accurate alignment of nozzles with mold insert members is not achieved leading to potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
Guide pins are introduced as intermediary alignment elements that project from the injection part and engage with corresponding guide holes in the mold insert members. These guide pins serve as mediators between the frame construction and mold components, ensuring precise alignment of nozzles with mold insert members during the quick change process, thereby preventing material leakage while maintaining speed efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pins are pre-positioned on the injection part before the mold sub-assembly is installed. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the mold insert members are inserted into the frame, they are automatically guided into the correct alignment position, eliminating the need for post-installation adjustment and ensuring accurate nozzle alignment from the start
2Productivity
If the injection part is separated from the material distributing sub-assembly for quick change, then mold components can be removed and installed efficiently, but accurate alignment during separation is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
Guide pins act as intermediary alignment elements that remain attached to the injection part during separation. When the injection part is detached from the material distributing sub-assembly, the guide pins maintain their precise positions and serve as reference elements for realignment, ensuring that when components are reassembled, accurate alignment is automatically restored without requiring complex measurement or adjustment procedures
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for facilitating removal and installation of mold insert members of a mold assembly from and into the clamp unit of an injection molding machine comprising a material distributing sub-assembly from which at least one material distributing nozzle projects, the apparatus comprises a two-part frame comprising an ejector part, an injection part being releasably connectable to the material distributing sub-assembly, and support pins spanning between the ejector part and the injection part when the injection part is separated from the material distributing sub-assembly, and guide elements projecting from the material distributing sub-assembly to engage a mold insert member received in the injection part and effective to align that mold insert member relative to the material distributing sub-assembly. The two-part frame comprises first clearance bores and second clearance bores allowing protrusion into the mold insert member of, respectively, the material distributing nozzles and the guide elements.