Mold Clamping Force Limiting for Rotary Platen Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mold attaching methods in multi-color molding injection molding machines face challenges such as high costs due to the need for specialized equipment, unbalanced mold clamping forces, and increased operator anxiety when attaching multiple molds simultaneously, especially with traditional bolt and nut systems.
Innovation Solution
A mold attaching method that limits the mold clamping force to a lower setting than during normal operation and incorporates an interlock function to ensure all clamp portions are activated before engaging the full clamping force, allowing for sequential attachment of molds with reduced stress and improved safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bolt and nut are used for clamping molds, then the mold position can be adjusted and secured, but the attaching operation becomes complicated and automation is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical bolt and nut system with a magnetic field-based clamping system. The mold clamping device uses magnetic attraction forces to secure molds to the platen, eliminating the need for manual bolt tightening operations while maintaining reliable mold positioning and security.
2Extent of automation
If fluid pressure clamp or magnetic fixing device is used, then automation of clamp operation is facilitated, but the mold attachment surfaces are perpendicular surfaces making position adjustment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic control system that adjusts the magnetic clamping force based on operational requirements. During mold attachment, the magnetic force can be reduced to allow easy position adjustment, and during molding operations, the magnetic force is increased to secure the mold firmly. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between automation and ease of position adjustment.
3Productivity
If multiple molds are simultaneously transported into the mold clamping device, then attachment efficiency is improved, but facility costs increase due to need for large-sized crane and special structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mold attachment process into independent, sequential operations. Each mold can be attached individually using standard equipment, and the magnetic clamping system allows for rapid attachment and detachment. This segmentation eliminates the need for specialized large-capacity cranes and complex supporting structures required for simultaneous multi-mold transport.
4Reliability
If all clamp portions are activated before full clamping force is applied, then mold and equipment damage is prevented, but the clamping process takes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a two-stage magnetic clamping process. In the first stage, all clamp portions are activated with a reduced magnetic force to secure the mold in position and prevent damage. In the second stage, the magnetic force is increased to the full clamping force required for molding operations. This preliminary action protects equipment while maintaining efficient overall clamping time.
Data Source
AI summary
When a plurality of sets of molds, spaced a predetermined distance along a circumferential direction of a rotary platen, are attached through predetermined clamp portions to a mold attachment surface of the rotary platen supported by a movable platen included in a mold clamping device and a mold attachment surface of a fixed platen opposite this mold attachment surface, at least a mold clamping force, when the mold is attached, is previously limited to a limited mold clamping force lower than a mold clamping force at the time of molding. A mold attaching mode is set that has an interlock function of preventing the limitation from being cancelled until a condition under which all the clamp portions are turned on is satisfied. The selected mold attaching mode is performed when the molds are attached and the plurality of sets of molds are sequentially attached set by set.