Split Parison Mold Assembly for Injection Blow Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing injection blow molding systems require significant operator discretion and experience, leading to high capital and operating costs, and are prone to misalignment due to thermal expansion, complicating mold design, fabrication, and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A split parison mold assembly with independently coupled upper and lower multi-cavity mold half blocks, allowing for precise temperature control and easy attachment/detachment, reducing operator dependency and thermal expansion issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple individual thermolators are used to control water temperature in different water lines, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity and operating cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple thermolators into a single thermolator that controls a common water supply for multiple water lines. This consolidation reduces the number of temperature control devices while maintaining the ability to control water temperature at different locations through the mold assembly, thereby reducing device complexity and operating costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a water distribution system with valves and manifolds as intermediaries between the single thermolator and multiple water lines. These intermediaries allow the single thermolator to control water temperature for multiple lines by regulating flow distribution, eliminating the need for multiple thermolators while maintaining temperature control capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional keyway connection is used for mold halves, then structural stability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to complex disassembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mold connection system into modular components: removable mold halves that can be independently detached from the die set. This segmentation allows individual mold halves to be replaced without disassembling the entire mold assembly, significantly improving ease of repair while maintaining alignment stability through precise fit-and-fasten mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static, permanent keyway connection to a dynamic, removable connection system. The mold halves can be easily attached and detached using simple fastening mechanisms, allowing flexible maintenance and repair operations without compromising the structural stability during operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If tight tolerances are maintained in mold width, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to thermal expansion compensation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thermal expansion compensation by allowing controlled dimensional changes in the mold assembly during temperature cycles. The design incorporates flexible connection elements and adjustable positioning mechanisms that automatically compensate for thermal expansion, maintaining manufacturing precision without requiring complex rigid compensation structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration minimizes operator discretion, reduces costs, and enhances mold stability and maintenance efficiency by allowing independent connection of mold halves and precise temperature control, improving the overall injection blow molding process.
Implementation Method 1
the parison-forming surfaces of the split parison mold are heated to and/or cooled to different temperatures via a plurality of water lines formed in the split parison mold near the parison-forming surfaces
Implementation Method 2
during operation, the series of side-by-side individual mold halves are subject to significant thermal expansion, which can cause misalignment of the top and bottom mold halves
Data Source
AI summary
An injection blow molding (IBM) system and method for forming a plurality of parisons and molded articles. The IBM system includes an injection station having upper and lower die sets and a plurality of upper and lower mold half blocks each attached to a respective die set. Each of the upper mold half blocks has a corresponding lower mold half block with which it cooperatively defines one or more cavities for forming the exterior shape of the body of one or more of the parisons. The individual, independent attachment of the mold half blocks to the die sets allows easy individual replacement of faulty or worn mold blocks. Further, such an independent attachment configuration also permits the mold half blocks of each die set to be spaced from one another, so as to reduce thermal expansion problems and ease dimensional tolerances required for the width of the mold half blocks.