An actuator (100) for a molding system (900) is disclosed. The actuator (100) includes a linear actuator (102). The linear actuator (102) is configured to move a payload (160) relative to a support structure (170). The linear actuator (102) is connectable to the support structure (170) and the payload (160). The actuator (100) also includes a first compensator (104). The first compensator (104) is configured to compensate for a relative misalignment between the linear actuator (102) and the payload (160). The actuator (100) further includes a second compensator (106). The second compensator (106) is configured to compensate for a relative misalignment between the linear actuator (102) and the support structure (170).

An injection device includes a heating cylinder, a screw, a screw driving device, and a nozzle touch device. The screw driving device has a load cell configured to detect an injection pressure at a position separated from an extension line of an axis of the screw. When an injection nozzle is caused to touch a sprue of a mold by the nozzle touch device, a pressure of the load cell is monitored, and misalignment between the injection nozzle and the sprue is detected based on the pressure.

A low pressure injection mold includes a failsafe pressure mechanism that prevents the low pressure injection mold from being subjected to excessive injection pressures or excessive clamping tonnage that could damage the low pressure injection mold.

A mold tool has a first mold part with a first side forming a first surface, a nozzle exposed on the first side of the first mold part, and a locating ring mounted to the first mold part. The ring has a body of a metal material and a guard of a material softer than the metal material. The body has a ring shape, a perimeter surface facing radially outward, a central opening concentric with a center axis, a mounting face, and a locating face opposite the mounting face. The guard is connected to the body radially within the perimeter surface and projects axially beyond the locating face. The locating ring surrounds and exposes the nozzle. The locating ring can be mounted to the first mold part. A second mold part can be arranged in proximity to the first mold part and have a locating hole in a second surface. The mold parts can be moved toward one another until the guard contacts the second surface or enters the locating hole. The mold parts can be repositioned relative to one another until the guard and the perimeter surface align with the locating hole and then can be moved further toward one another until the locating ring seats in the locating hole and the first and second surfaces engage one another.

A process for injection molded microcellular foaming various flexible foam compositions from biodegradable and industrially compostable bio-derived thermoplastic resins for use in, for example, footwear components, seating components, protective gear components, and watersport accessories wherein a process of manufacturing includes the steps of: producing a suitable thermoplastic biopolymer or biopolymer blend; injection molding the thermoplastic biopolymer or biopolymer blend into a suitable mold shape with inert nitrogen gas; controlling the polymer melt, pressure, temperature, and time such that a desirable flexible foam is formed; and utilizing gas counterpressure in the injection molding process to ensure the optimal foam structure with the least amount of cosmetic defects and little to no plastic skin on the outside of the foamed structure.

An injection molding machine includes a connection member that connects a nozzle touch mechanism and a fixed platen. The connection member has: an arm part that rises upward from a support frame part on a side of the fixed platen; and a platen connection part that is provided on an upper section of the arm part and serves as a second connection section connected to the fixed platen. The platen connection part has: a connection pin that is fixed to the arm part and extends in a left-right direction coinciding with the width direction of a machine frame; and a rotary member that is fixed to the fixed platen and can rotate around the connection pin, wherein the connection pin is disposed so as to pass through the center axis of a nozzle and include a plane parallel to a mount surface of the machine frame.

A process for injection molded microcellular foaming various flexible foam compositions from biodegradable and industrially compostable bio-derived thermoplastic resins for use in, for example, footwear components, seating components, protective gear components, and watersport accessories wherein a process of manufacturing includes the steps of: producing a suitable thermoplastic biopolymer or biopolymer blend; injection molding the thermoplastic biopolymer or biopolymer blend into a suitable mold shape with inert nitrogen gas; controlling the polymer melt, pressure, temperature, and time such that a desirable flexible foam is formed; and utilizing gas counterpressure in the injection molding process to ensure the optimal foam structure with the least amount of cosmetic defects and little to no plastic skin on the outside of the foamed structure.

An injection molding system includes a supplying unit configured to supply a flowable mixture; an injection unit communicable with the supplying unit, wherein the injection unit includes an outlet configured to discharge the flowable mixture; a molding device configured to receive the flowable mixture from the outlet and includes a mold cavity and a feeding port communicable with the mold cavity and engageable with the outlet; and a supporting device disposed between the injection unit and the molding device and configured to facilitate an engagement of the injection unit and the molding device. The supporting device includes a first element connected to the injection unit and a second element disposed on the molding device. The second element includes a slot configured to receive a protruding portion of the first element, the protruding portion of the first element is slidable within and along the slot of the second element.

An injection molding system includes a supplying unit configured to supply a flowable mixture; an injection unit communicable with the supplying unit, wherein the injection unit includes an outlet configured to discharge the flowable mixture; a molding device configured to receive the flowable mixture from the outlet and includes a mold cavity and a feeding port communicable with the mold cavity and engageable with the outlet; and a supporting device disposed between the injection unit and the molding device and configured to facilitate an engagement of the injection unit and the molding device. The supporting device includes a first element connected to the injection unit and a second element disposed on the molding device. The second element includes a slot configured to receive a protruding portion of the first element, the protruding portion of the first element is slidable within and along the slot of the second element.