Detection and removal system for reducing cycle time of an injection molding apparatus

US6315543A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. · CA

Inventors

• Manfred Lausenhammer · Konz, DE
• Arnold Mai · Irrel, DE
• Frank Oster · Wittlich, DE
• Stephan Klang · Riegelsberg, DE
• Sven Mertes · Bastogne, BE
• Witold Neter · Markham, CA
• Hai Luong · Scarborough, CA
• Tiemo Brand · North York, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: May 7, 1999
• Grant date: Nov 13, 2001
• Expiry date: May 7, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29C2945/76943
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An injection molding machine includes various devices for reducing injection cycle time. A molded article detection apparatus and method are disclosed. The detection system and method determines if an article, or a portion thereof, remains on a machine core pin after the article ejection cycle has occurred, and, if so, communicates this condition to both the machine controller and the take-out controller. This prevents the machine from starting a new cycle and damaging the injection mold. Also, by communicating the extraction status to both the take-out controller and machine controller, if no articles or portions remain, injection cycle time is reduced. Additionally, a variable vacuum pressure apparatus and method are described. The apparatus and method allows early removal of molded articles from the molds into a take-out plate while the parts are still warm.