An in-mold shutter (140) for embedding in an injection mold (100, 200, 300) is described herein. The in-mold shutter (140, 240, 340, 440, 540) includes a shutter actuator (148, 548) that is configured to selectively engage a first mold shoe (130) of the injection mold (100, 200, 300) with a platen of a mold clamping assembly (996) to hold the first mold shoe (130) in an extended position (E), along a mold-stroke axis (X), during a step of molding a first molded article (102A) in the injection mold (100, 200, 300). Also described herein is a molded article transfer device (150, 250) for use with the injection mold (100, 200, 300). The molded article transfer device (150, 250) includes a shuttle (154) that is slidably arranged, in use, within the injection mold (100, 200, 300). The shuttle (154) defines a first aperture (156A), at least in part, that alternately accommodates: (i) a first mold stack (106A, 206A, 306A) arranged therein; and (ii) a first molded article (102A) received therein with opening of the first mold stack (106A, 206A, 306A).

An injection mold of a plastic preform includes first, second and third parts, the third part having a molding cavity defining an axis and adapted to be fixed to a first surface of a mold frame; the second part between the first and third parts slides along the axis to close or open the cavity. The first part includes a rod that slides along the axis through a second surface of the frame. The second part includes: a guiding cage through which the longitudinal rod can slide; a structure; and parallel guiding rods extending to the structure; an assembly sliding inside the cage; and a punch sliding inside the structure and defining a first complementary component of the cavity;
wherein the structure defines, together with the punch, a cam system for opening or closing two half-collars which define, when closed, a second complementary component of the cavity.

In an injection molding system, a rack on which a peripheral device can be mounted includes a fixing unit for removably fixing to a machine stool of an injection molding machine and a moving unit for making the rack movable alone. Accordingly, maintenance of the injection molding machine can be performed satisfactorily and positioning work is also made easier so that the rack can be transported easily.

The present invention provides a movable platen support apparatus which, with a linear guide having a minimum necessary load rating, can secure a sufficient traveling life of the linear guide and, in addition, can secure the rigidity of the linear guide which is necessary and sufficient taking into consideration a moment that acts on a movable platen. A movable platen support apparatus 40 according to the present invention includes a guide mechanism which movably engages a rail 41 extending on a frame 11 in the direction of movement of a movable platen 16, to which a movable mold 19 is to be mounted, and which movably supports the movable platen 16. The guide mechanism includes a linear guide 42 composed of blocks 42a to 42d arranged in a line, in which at least one of the blocks 42a to 42d, e.g. the blocks 42b, 42c, has a load rating which differs from the load rating(s) of the other block(s), e.g. the blocks 42a, 42d.

A horizontal mold clamping mechanism includes a rail disposed on a base, a slider fitted with the rail, and a pedestal placed on the slider and provided with a sub-slider guided by a sub-rail. A fixed platen secured to the base supports a fixed mold. A mold clamping cylinder is secured to the pedestal and laid parallel to the fixed platen. A mold opening/closing actuator connects to the pedestal for moving the mold clamping cylinder. A movable platen is secured to the sub-slider and disposed between the fixed platen and the clamping cylinder. A tie-bar passes through the movable platen and the clamping cylinder, and a first linking mechanism selectively links the clamping cylinder to the tie-bar. The movable platen has a through-hole with a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the tie-bar to provide a clearance preventing slide-contact between the tie-bar and an inner surface of the through-hole.

The invention relates to a mould (1) for manufacturing three-dimensional items, comprising a body (2); a lid (4) configured to close said body (2); and incorporated closing and opening means (5) configured to keep the body (2) and the lid (4) joined during the movement thereof. A machine (M1) for manufacturing three-dimensional items, comprising a receiving module (M2) configured to receive the mould (1); a conditioning module (M3) configured to receive the mould (1) from the receiving module (M2) and act on the incorporated closing and opening means (5) in order to separate the lid (4) from the body (2); and a handling module (M4) configured to receive the body (2) from the conditioning module (M3) and enable the placement of the components of the item to be manufactured. A method for manufacturing three-dimensional items and manufacturing plant associated with said machine (M1).

A mounting stand for an injection molding machine has a base member and an erecting member, to which an injection apparatus is attached, vertically arranged on the base member, and is movable with respect to a support supporting the base member. The mounting stand includes a base member protruding portion provided upward from the base member around a portion at which the base member comes into contact with the erecting member, and an anchored portion at which a side surface of the base member protruding portion is anchored to a side surface of the erecting member.

An injection molding system including a robot includes an injection molding device, and the robot is fixed in a machine housing of the injection molding device, and motion range of the robot includes interior region of the machine housing.

A clamp assembly for an injection molding machine includes (a) a clamp cylinder housing and (b) a clamp piston affixed to an end portion of a tie bar and slidable within the housing among a clamping position, a mold break position, and a meshing position disposed axially intermediate the clamping and the mold break positions. The clamp assembly further includes (c) a clamp chamber for urging the clamp piston towards the clamping position when pressurized; (d) a return device for urging the clamp piston towards the meshing position when pressure in the clamp chamber is relieved; and (e) a mold break chamber for urging the clamp piston towards the mold break position when pressurized. The mold break chamber is bounded axially by opposed surfaces of the tie bar and the return device.

A movable platen according to the present invention includes: a mold clamping platen 42 having a projecting portion 62 in a mold closing direction-side surface; a mold mounting platen 44 mounted to the projecting portion 62 of the mold clamping paten 42; and a guide mechanism 50 fixed to the mold clamping paten 42 and supporting the mold mounting platen 44. Only the mold clamping paten 42 is fixed to the guide mechanism 50, while the mold mounting platen 44 is not fixed but placed on platen surface support portions 52.