Movable Split Mold Inserts for Injection Molding Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection molding systems face premature wear issues due to excessive or insufficient clamping force, misalignment of mold stack components, and uneven clamping force distribution, which affect the formation of precise molded articles like beverage containers.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of movable split mold inserts/neck rings that are inter-connected to slides, allowing for lateral movement and relative positioning to facilitate better alignment and distribution of clamping force, thereby reducing wear and improving component alignment during the molding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed mold inserts are used, then the mold structure is simple, but misalignment of mold stack components occurs leading to premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the mold inserts movable rather than fixed. The first and second mold inserts are configured to move relative to the first and second slides during the molding process, allowing them to self-align with the cavity insert and core insert. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the alignment issues while maintaining structural simplicity through the straightforward sliding mechanism.
2Reliability
If conventional clamping force distribution is used, then the clamp assembly is simple, but uneven clamping force occurs causing premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The movable mold inserts dynamically adjust their positions during clamping, allowing them to distribute clamping forces more evenly across the mold stack. The ability of the inserts to move and self-align ensures that clamping force is distributed uniformly, preventing premature wear without requiring complex additional force distribution mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed position mold inserts are used, then manufacturing is simple, but precision of molded articles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic positioning capability of the mold inserts allows them to self-align during the molding process, ensuring high precision molded articles. The manufacturing simplicity is maintained through the straightforward design where inserts simply move on slides without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or precision pre-alignment during assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is, a stripper assembly operable to eject a molded article from a mold that includes slides that are movable laterally relative to each, a first split mold insert inter-connected to a first slide and a second split mold insert inter-connected to a second slide. The system being operable such that when the first and second slides are in the closed position, the first and second split mold inserts form at least a portion of the molding cavity; the system being operable such that such during operation of the injection molding system, the first split mold insert is movable relative to the respective first slide and the second split mold insert being movable relative to the second slide.