Mold Assembly Cable Actuation for Complex Geometries
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Solution Overview
Problem
The automation of mold design for metal injection molding (MIM) becomes increasingly difficult as the number of small details, such as holes at different composite angles, increases, requiring complex mechanisms or multiple actuators for actuation of mold pins.
Innovation Solution
A mold assembly with guide passages and movable members, where cables connected to protruding members extend through these passages, allowing for simultaneous actuation by a single actuator, and a guide element with non-parallel guide passages for directional change, facilitating the molding of components with multiple features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate actuators or complex cam/lever mechanisms are used to actuate mold pins for creating multiple holes at different angles, then the molding capability for complex geometries is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of automation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple actuation functions into a single actuator that simultaneously controls multiple mold pins through a shared cable system. The cable routing mechanism allows one actuator to exert force on multiple pins at different angles, merging what would traditionally require separate actuators into a unified system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator serves multiple functions by actuating different mold pins for creating holes at various composite angles. The universal cable-pulley arrangement enables one actuator to perform the work of multiple actuators, making the system multi-functional without requiring proportional increases in actuator数量
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate actuators are used for each mold pin, then precise control of each pin is improved, but the extent of automation and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pin control functions are merged into a single automated actuator system. The cable routing mechanism ensures that one actuator can precisely control multiple pins simultaneously, maintaining manufacturing precision while dramatically improving automation ease by reducing the number of independent control systems required
3Stability of the object's composition
If complex cam or lever mechanisms are used to actuate multiple pins simultaneously, then synchronized pin actuation is improved, but the device complexity and ease of manufacture worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex cam and lever synchronization mechanisms with a simpler cable-based system where a single actuator pulls multiple cables that are routed through guide passages to reach different mold pins. This merging of synchronization function into a unified cable-pulley system maintains pin actuation synchronization while dramatically improving ease of manufacture by eliminating the need for precision-machined cam profiles and lever linkages
Data Source
AI summary
A mold assembly includes a first mold part having guide passages defined therein. Protruding members are each movably received in a first portion of a respective guide passage to extend selectively in and out of the mold cavity. At least some of the protruding members are movable along different directions from one another. Cables are each connected to one of the protruding members and extend through a linear second portion of the respective guide passage and out of the first mold part. An actuator is connected to the cables and movable relative to the first mold part between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, each protruding member protrudes into the mold cavity. In the retracted position, each of protruding member is retracted out of the mold cavity and contained within the respective guide passage. A guide element and a method of molding are also discussed.