Tie Bar Roller Support for Injection Molding Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Injection molding machines face challenges in supporting tie bars effectively, leading to sagging or deflection under their own weight, which can interfere with machine operation and alignment, especially due to the lack of sufficient support mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a tie bar engagement apparatus that includes rollers mounted to the platen to support tie bars from beneath, providing vertical and lateral alignment forces to maintain tie bar alignment within bores and reduce friction, thereby preventing sagging and ensuring proper alignment and operation during molding cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If tie bars are extended between platens to connect them, then the structural integrity and clamping force transmission are improved, but the tie bars sag or deflect under their own weight, interfering with machine operation and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
Rollers are introduced as intermediary elements between the tie bars and platens. These rollers support the tie bars at multiple points along their length, preventing sagging and maintaining alignment without interfering with the clamping force transmission function of the tie bars.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism transitions from a single-point support to multi-point support along the length of the tie bars. By distributing support across multiple rollers positioned at different locations, the system maintains alignment in the vertical dimension while allowing horizontal movement for clamping operations.
2Strength
If tie bars are secured to platens with engagement mechanisms, then the connection strength is improved, but the friction and wear between tie bars and engagement surfaces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism replaces direct sliding contact with rolling contact. By using rollers that rotate as tie bars move through them, the system converts high-friction sliding motion into low-friction rolling motion, significantly reducing wear on both the tie bars and engagement surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement mechanism is made dynamic rather than static. The rollers are free to rotate, allowing the engagement system to adapt to the movement of tie bars during clamping and molding cycles. This dynamic engagement maintains constant contact while minimizing friction through rotational motion.
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 solution effectively supports tie bars, maintaining their alignment and preventing interference with other machine components, ensuring consistent operation and reducing wear by using rollers to exert support and alignment forces, thus enhancing the operational stability of injection molding machines.
Implementation Method 1
a first roller mounted to the first platen proximate the first bore, the first roller comprising a first peripheral surface in rolling engagement with the first tie bar when the first tie bar is received in the first bore to support the first tie bar from beneath
Implementation Method 2
providing vertical and lateral alignment forces to maintain tie bar alignment within bores
Data Source
AI summary
An injection molding machine includes a base and an injection unit mounted to the base, and a first platen for holding a first mold section and a second platen for holding a second mold section. The first and second platens are supported by the base, and are movable along a machine axis between mold-open and mold-closed positions. At least a first tie bar engagement apparatus is associated with a first tie bar and includes a first bore in the first platen for receiving the respective tie bar therethrough at least when the platens are in the mold-closed position; and a first roller mounted to the first platen proximate the first bore. The first roller is rotatable about a first roller axis that is oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the machine axis.