Rotatable Platen Support Member for Injection Molding Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In injection molding machines, rotatable molds can sag or become misaligned due to unsupported ends, leading to malfunction, faulty parts, or damage to the machine, as the weight of the molds creates stress on the coupled end and platen assembly.
Innovation Solution
A support member with adjustable support arms is coupled to the rotatable platen assembly, extending forward to stabilize the mold and allow for precise alignment and rotation, featuring adjustment members that can adjust the position and orientation of the mold to maintain proper positioning and alignment during the molding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mold is supported in a cantilevered fashion at one end, then the rotatable platen assembly can rotate the mold, but the unsupported free end causes the mold to sag and become misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple segments: a first support structure at the first end of the mold and a second support structure at the second end of the mold. This segmentation provides distributed support along the mold's length, preventing sagging while maintaining rotatability. Each support structure can be independently adjusted to optimize positioning and alignment.
2Manufacturing precision
If the mold is supported at both ends, then sagging is prevented, but the complexity of the support system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structures are designed to perform multiple functions: providing vertical support to prevent sagging, enabling rotation of the mold, and allowing positional adjustment for alignment. By integrating these functions into unified support structures rather than separate components, the system achieves multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structures incorporate adjustment mechanisms that allow dynamic repositioning and reconfiguration. This dynamic capability enables the support system to adapt to different mold sizes and weights while maintaining proper support and alignment, reducing the need for multiple fixed support configurations.
3Quantity of substance
If the mold has significant weight, then the mold can support large parts, but the weight creates stress on the coupled end and platen assembly causing sagging
Solution Approach 1:
The second support structure at the free end of the mold acts as a counterbalancing element that distributes the weight load. By providing support at both ends rather than relying solely on the coupled end, the system creates a balanced load distribution that reduces stress concentration on the platen assembly while maintaining the capacity to support heavy molds and large parts.
Data Source
AI summary
Support members for rotatable platens of injection molding machines are provided. In some aspects, an injection molding machine includes a guide member and a rotatable platen including a base plate and a turntable supported by and rotatable relative to the base plate about a substantially horizontal axis. The turntable is adapted to support a mold for rotation about the horizontal axis relative to the base plate and the guide member. The injection molding machine also includes a support member coupled to the rotatable platen and engaged with the guide member for movement of the rotatable platen and the support member along the guide member. The turntable is adapted to rotate the mold relative to the support member. In other aspects, a support member for a rotatable platen of an injection molding machine is provided and includes a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from the first arm.