Injection Molding Nozzle Alignment via Intermediary Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzle assemblies in injection molding are prone to misalignment between the nozzle body and nozzle tip, as well as between the valve pin member and the mold components, leading to increased wear and inefficiencies in material flow.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle assembly design featuring a valve pin guide member with alignment surfaces that contact both the nozzle body and nozzle tip, ensuring precise alignment and reducing misalignment, thereby maintaining concentricity and minimizing wear on guide and valve pin components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a removable nozzle tip is connected to the nozzle body, then the nozzle can be easily maintained and replaced, but misalignment between the nozzle tip and nozzle body occurs causing tilt relative to the longitudinal axis
Solution Approach 1:
An alignment bearing is introduced as an intermediary component between the nozzle tip and nozzle body. The alignment bearing includes an alignment surface that contacts a corresponding alignment surface on the nozzle body, mediating the connection to prevent tilt and maintain concentricity of the nozzle tip relative to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a valve pin member is provided to control material flow, then selective sealing is achieved, but misalignment between the valve pin and valve seat occurs increasing wear
Solution Approach 1:
A valve pin guide member is introduced as an intermediary component that guides the valve pin member. The guide member includes guide surfaces that contact corresponding guide surfaces on the nozzle tip and nozzle body, mediating the positioning to ensure proper alignment of the valve pin with the valve seat, thereby reducing wear and improving reliability.
3Ease of operation
If tandem guide members are used to guide the valve pin, then the valve pin can be positioned, but misalignment between the guide member and nozzle tip occurs causing increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The valve pin guide member serves as an intermediary structure that bridges the nozzle tip and nozzle body. By providing alignment surfaces that contact corresponding surfaces on both the nozzle tip and nozzle body, the guide member ensures proper alignment between itself and the nozzle tip, while also guiding the valve pin member accurately.
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle assembly for selectably conveying material in a flowable condition to a cavity of a mold assembly comprises a nozzle body, a removable nozzle tip, a valve pin member extending through the nozzle body and having a tip end for selectably forming a seal with a valve seat to selectably prevent passage of material into the mold cavity and a pin guide for guiding the valve pin member, the pin guide being partially received within the nozzle tip and partially received within the nozzle body and having at least one alignment surface on the exterior thereof and cooperating with an aligning surface of the nozzle body to align the pin guide relative to the nozzle body and with an aligning surface of the nozzle tip to align the nozzle tip relative to the pin guide whereby the nozzle tip is aligned relative to the nozzle body.