An injection molding apparatus (10) comprising: one or more valves each comprised of a valve pin (1040, 1041, 1042) adapted to be driven upstream and downstream through a downstream channel (1006) that has a downstream channel portion (1006ds) that has a control surface (1008), the control surface (1008) forming a channel or restriction gap (CG, 1006rg), the valve pin (1041) being controllably drivable upstream and downstream through the channel or restriction gap (CG, 1006rg) at a single selected rate of upstream acceleration up to a selected reduced upstream velocity that is less than a maximum velocity at which the valve pin (1041) is drivable, the size or configuration of the channel or restriction gap (CG, 1006rg) and the single selected rate of upstream acceleration being selected in combination with each other to control flow of injection fluid (18) through the channel gap (CG, 1006rg).

An improved actuator for a valve gate assembly is provided. The actuator includes a planetary assembly for converting rotation of an electrical motor into linear movement of a valve gate pin while also providing mechanical advantage to the motor against injection pressures from 15,000 psi to at least 25,000 psi. An internal cooling volume surrounds the motor for continuously cooling the motor with water, and an internal encoder converts an angular rotation within the actuator into an analog or digital signal for output to a controller.

A molding system for applying moldable material to a pipe. An elongate mold has at least one elongate mold member movable relative another elongate mold member between open and closed positions. The mold includes a pipe support that extends generally radially into a mold cavity along a support axis. An inner end of the support is configured to support the pipe in a molding position in which an annular portion of the mold cavity extends circumferentially around the pipe. After moldable material in the annular portion of the mold cavity can support the pipe, the support is withdrawn from the mold cavity by moving outwardly along the support axis. An injector selectively dispenses additional moldable material into a space formed by the support in the existing moldable material.

An injection molding apparatus including: a valve pin driven by an actuator, the valve pin extending axially through at least a portion of the channel length of the fluid flow channel, the fluid flow channel including a throat, downstream flow of the injection fluid being restricted by a bulb portion of the pin, the valve pin having an intermediate position where downstream flow of injection fluid is unrestricted and a fully downstream position where downstream flow of injection fluid is stopped at both the gate and at the throat, wherein the actuator is driven by a valve assembly comprised of a spool mechanically driven by first and second actuators or solenoids that each separately engage the spool at opposing axial ends to effect movement of the spool back and forth between the drive fluid flow positions.

An abrasion amount estimation device stores a learning result obtained through supervised learning performed based on a feature amount, which is extracted from a physical amount which is acquired in injection performed by an injection molding machine, and information related to an abrasion amount of a check valve which has been attached to the injection molding machine in the injection. The abrasion amount estimation device estimates an abrasion amount of a check valve which has been attached to the injection molding machine in the injection based on the learning result which is stored and the feature amount which is extracted.

An abrasion amount estimation device stores a learning result obtained through supervised learning performed based on a feature amount, which is extracted from a physical amount which is acquired in injection performed by an injection molding machine, and information related to an abrasion amount of a check valve which has been attached to the injection molding machine in the injection. The abrasion amount estimation device estimates an abrasion amount of a check valve which has been attached to the injection molding machine in the injection based on the learning result which is stored and the feature amount which is extracted.

A co-injection nozzle for an injection moulding device for producing multi-layered injection-moulded products. The nozzle includes: a central bore; a valve needle for opening and closing a nozzle opening; an annular inner melt channel for the first melt; an annular central melt channel for a second melt; and an annular outer melt channel for the first melt. The inner, central and outer melt channels are fluidically combined in the region of the nozzle tip to form a concentrically-layered melt stream. The co-injection nozzle has a back-flow barrier, integrated into the central bore, for the second melt, this barrier formed by a cut-out in the valve needle and by a melt channel for the second melt, the channel penetrating the central bore. In the open position of the back-flow barrier, the cut-out is located such that the second melt can flow through the melt channel, whilst flowing in the central bore past the valve needle.

Systems and methods for controlling the closing speed of valve gated nozzles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hot runner have a valve gated nozzle including a valve stem movable between an open position and a closed position is provided. The valve stem is moved at a first speed for a first portion of valve stem closure and a second speed for a second end portion of the valve stem closure.

Injection unit for injection molding of plastic material including: an injection nozzle; a closure pin; and a guide and cooling assembly, interposed between the back driving plate and the hot distribution plate, in turn comprising: a guide and seal element for guiding the axial motion of the closure pin; a cooling ring; and pressure means configured to press the cooling ring directly and against the back driving plate; wherein the guide and seal element is slidably coupled, at an upper end, with a central hole of the cooling ring, and is fixed integrally, at the other end, to the hot distribution plate; and the cooling ring is able to slide laterally with respect to the back driving plate to recover the differences in thermal expansion between the hot distribution plate and the back driving plate and to transmit heat from the guide and seal element towards the back driving plate.

A net-shaped composite plenum housing body for a differential assembly having a pump is disclosed. The plenum housing body can include a low pressure inlet and a high pressure outlet configured to receive a control valve. The plenum housing body can also define a fluid inlet channel in fluid communication with the low pressure inlet via a first internal port and can be configured to be in fluid communication with an inlet side of the pump when the plenum housing body is assembled onto the differential assembly. The plenum housing body can also define a fluid outlet channel in fluid communication with the high pressure outlet via a second internal port and can be configured to be in fluid communication with an outlet side of the pump when the plenum housing body is assembled onto the differential assembly. The plenum housing body can also be formed as a net-shape fiber reinforced plastic material including chopped fibers, for example, chopped fiberglass fibers, and an epoxy resin.