An extruding system includes a mixing unit configured to mix a polymeric material with a blowing agent and to form a mixture, and an injection unit coupled to the mixing unit and configured to inject the mixture. The mixing unit includes a mixing cartridge, a first mixing screw and a second mixing screw, the first and second mixing screws are disposed in the mixing cartridge. A method of extruding a mixture includes mixing a polymeric material and a blowing agent in a mixing cartridge of a mixing unit by at least one of a first and second mixing screws to form the mixture; conveying the mixture from the mixing unit to an injection unit; and discharging the mixture from the injection unit into a molding device. The mixture is sequentially in contact with the first mixing screw and the second mixing screw.

An extruding system includes a mixing unit configured to mix a polymeric material with a blowing agent and to form a mixture, and an injection unit coupled to the mixing unit and configured to inject the mixture. The mixing unit includes a mixing cartridge, a first mixing screw and a second mixing screw, the first and second mixing screws are disposed in the mixing cartridge. A method of extruding a mixture includes mixing a polymeric material and a blowing agent in a mixing cartridge of a mixing unit by at least one of a first and second mixing screws to form the mixture; conveying the mixture from the mixing unit to an injection unit; and discharging the mixture from the injection unit into a molding device. The mixture is sequentially in contact with the first mixing screw and the second mixing screw.

A method for improving the production of a cased device (1), wherein a casing component (2) of the cased device (1) is produced, which production of the casing component (2) comprises injecting a polymer mixture (4) for creating a solid foam interior into a cavity, which cavity is formed by the casing component (2), which injecting is done by an injection apparatus (3) and which injecting is based on injection control data (5) input to the injection apparatus (3), wherein during the injection of the polymer mixture (4) into the cavity forming data (6) for describing the injection process is recorded, wherein after injecting the polymer mixture (4) into the cavity at least one image of the casing component (2) is recorded and wherein based on the forming data (6), the at least one image and the injection control data (5) a prediction model (8) for generating new injection control data (10) for inputting to the injection apparatus (3) is updated.

A method for improving the production of a cased device (1), wherein a casing component (2) of the cased device (1) is produced, which production of the casing component (2) comprises injecting a polymer mixture (4) for creating a solid foam interior into a cavity, which cavity is formed by the casing component (2), which injecting is done by an injection apparatus (3) and which injecting is based on injection control data (5) input to the injection apparatus (3), wherein during the injection of the polymer mixture (4) into the cavity forming data (6) for describing the injection process is recorded, wherein after injecting the polymer mixture (4) into the cavity at least one image of the casing component (2) is recorded and wherein based on the forming data (6), the at least one image and the injection control data (5) a prediction model (8) for generating new injection control data (10) for inputting to the injection apparatus (3) is updated.

A molding system and a method for operation of the molding system are provided. The method includes flowing a molten polymeric material into a shot tuning chamber from an upstream device, adjusting a temperature of and/or pressure applied to the molten polymeric material in the shot tuning chamber, and flowing the molten polymeric material from the shot tuning chamber into a mold cavity.

A method of microcellular foam molding an article includes feeding plastic granules to a hopper; supplying a supercritical fluid (SCF) to the hopper to effuse through the plastic granules; conveying the effused plastic granules to a buffer tank; and conveying the effused plastic granules in the buffer tank to a mold of an injection molding machine to perform foam molding on the effused plastic granules to produce a foamed article. In a second embodiment, the injection molding machine is replaced by an extrusion press.

A method of microcellular foam molding an article includes feeding plastic granules to a hopper; supplying a supercritical fluid (SCF) to the hopper to effuse through the plastic granules; conveying the effused plastic granules to a buffer tank; and conveying the effused plastic granules in the buffer tank to a mold of an injection molding machine to perform foam molding on the effused plastic granules to produce a foamed article. In a second embodiment, the injection molding machine is replaced by an extrusion press.

Non-time dependent measured variables are used to effectively determine an optimal hold profile for an expanding crosslinking polymer part in a mold cavity. A system and/or approach may first inject molten expanding crosslinking polymer into a mold cavity, then measure at least one non-time dependent variable during an injection molding cycle. Next, the system and/or method commences a hold profile for the part, and upon completing the hold profile, the part is ejected from the mold cavity.

Non-time dependent measured variables are used to effectively determine an optimal hold profile for an expanding crosslinking polymer part in a mold cavity. A system and/or approach may first inject molten expanding crosslinking polymer into a mold cavity, then measure at least one non-time dependent variable during an injection molding cycle. Next, the system and/or method commences a hold profile for the part, and upon completing the hold profile, the part is ejected from the mold cavity.

An injection-molding system includes an extruding system configured to produce a mixture; a discharging channel communicable with the extruding system and including an outlet configured to discharge the mixture; and molding devices configured to receive the mixture. Each of the molding devices includes a hollow space, and a feeding port communicable with the hollow space and engageable with the outlet. An injection-molding method includes providing an extruding system configured to produce a mixture, a discharging channel including an outlet, and first and second molding devices; engaging the outlet with the first molding device; injecting the mixture into the first molding device; disengaging the outlet from the first molding device; moving the discharging channel away from the first molding device and toward the second molding device; engaging the outlet with the second molding device; injecting the mixture into the second molding device; and disengaging the outlet from the second molding device.