A method of estimating a normal vector to an attachment mounted to an approach frame of an apparatus for taking out a molded product and a normal vector to a die mounted to a molding machine is provided. A normal vector to a take-out head is estimated through computation using a coordinate/depth determination section and a normal vector computation section on the basis of depth data or coordinate data on three mounting members. Three or more extending portions are specified from the image, the extending portions being each a part of a fixed die or a movable die or a part of a surrounding component and extending in a direction that coincides with the open direction for the dies. A normal vector to the die is estimated through computation on the basis of the depth data or coordinate data on the specified extending portions.

The invention relates to a hot runner device comprising at least one needle valve nozzle and a shut-off needle which is movable in the needle valve nozzle by means of a movement means, and comprising an overload protection device for the shut-off needle, characterized in that the overload protection device is implemented as follows: the shut-off needle is connected in at least a first movement direction directly or indirectly to the movement means by at least one frictional connection that can be released when a threshold force is exceeded.

An injection unit for a shaping machine includes an injection element suitable for introducing a plasticized material into a mold tool by a linear movement of the injection element. The injection element is coupled in linear motion-transmitting relationship to a bearing element, and at least two linear drives are adapted to exert a force on the injection element by the bearing element. The force can be transmitted by a transmission element from the at least two linear drives to the bearing element and thus to the injection element, and at least one clearance is arranged between the bearing element and the transmission element such that deformations of the bearing element are not transmitted to the transmission element or are transmitted to a reduced degree.

A plastic molding system comprises: dispensing, pre-shaping and shaping cells and a transport subsystem. The dispensing cell has a station for dispensing a dose of plastic feedstock. The pre-shaping and shaping cells each comprise a plurality of stations for shaping the workpiece into a preform shape and into a final shape, respectively. The transport subsystem advances a workpiece along a selected one of a plurality of process paths to form a molded article. Each of the plurality of process paths is defined by a combination of stations of the dispensing cell, the pre-shaping cell and the shaping cell.

An injection molding machine with an injection system and a clamping system. The injection system may include a removable injection module defining a portion of the material flow path. The injection module may include all of parts that come in contact with the material between the material source and the mold. The injection module may include a valve arrangement movable between a fill position to load the injection module with material and an inject position to eject material from the injection module into the mold. The actuators for the injection module may be supported on the machine rather than the injection module. The clamping system may include a platen linear actuator to open and close the mold, and a hydraulic clamping system to apply clamping force to the closed mold. The hydraulic clamping system may include a free-float valve manifold assembly that selectively places the hydraulic cylinders in free-float mode.

A modular barrel and screw assembly for use in injection molding including a barrel having a barrel body, a separate barrel injection portion and a separate barrel end cap, with the barrel end cap being removably connected to the barrel injection portion and the barrel injection portion being removably connected to the barrel body, and a screw assembly having a screw tip assembly removably connected to a screw portion, wherein an injection chamber having a shot volume is defined by the barrel injection portion, the barrel end cap and the screw tip assembly. The modular barrel and screw assembly enables servicing of the barrel injection portion, barrel end cap and/or screw tip assembly without requiring removal of the barrel body, and enables use of a plurality of alternative corresponding separate barrel injection portions, separate barrel end caps and tip assemblies that provide a plurality of different shot volumes.

An injection unit for a shaping machine includes an injection element suitable for introducing a plasticized material into a mould tool by a linear movement of the injection element. The injection element is coupled in linear motion-transmitting relationship to a bearing element, and at least two linear drives are adapted to exert a force on the injection element by the bearing element. The force can be transmitted by a transmission element from the at least two linear drives to the bearing element and thus to the injection element, and at least one clearance is arranged between the bearing element and the transmission element so that deformations of the bearing element are not transmitted to the transmission element or are transmitted to a reduced degree.

An injection molding machine includes a belt transmission mechanism (mold opening/closing mechanism, ejector mechanism, screw drive mechanism, injection mechanism) configured to transmit drive force from a driving shaft (driving pulley) to a driven shaft (driven pulley) by means of a belt. The injection molding machine includes: a cover covering part or entirety of the belt; and a sensor attached to the cover and configured to detect an abnormality of the belt.

Apparatus for injection molding of plastic materials having a mold including at least one plate, a hot runner distributor of the fluid plastic material, at least one injector and an electric motor for controlling opening and the closing of the injector, supported by the distributor and whose cooling is carried out by means of thermal exchange contact with the plate. Provided for the cooling of the electric motor is at least one cover made of thermally conductive material at least partly surrounding the electric motor in a slidable manner and it is maintained in thermal exchange contact with the plate by means of a magnetic or an electro-magnetic force.

A feeding device for an injection molding machine adapted to feed a plastic material includes a bin unit, a valve unit and a conveying unit. The bin unit has an intake space and first and second spaces arranged sequentially along a path. The conveying unit has a mixer space communicating with the second space and includes a screw rod rotating therein to extrude the plastic material out of the mixer space while gases in the plastic material are pumped out through a gas discharge channel. The valve unit includes first and second valves which are respectively disposed between the intake and first spaces and between the first and second spaces, and are alternately movable to a close position to provide an airtight seal upstream of the mixer space.