An apparatus includes a stem connector configured to connect a movable piston with a valve stem, in which the movable piston is slidably receivable in a cylinder, and in which the cylinder is mountable to a distribution manifold of a molding system. The stem connector maintains connection between the movable piston and the valve stem while the valve stem is moved to selectively open or close a mold gate of a mold assembly installed in the molding system. The stem connector urges the movable piston to tilt at a tilt angle while the movable piston is moved along an interior of the cylinder, and in which the tilt angle is formed between a central piston axis extending through the movable piston and a central stem axis extends through the valve stem.

A manufacturing apparatus includes a defining portion, a plunger, and a valve member. The defining portion defines a supply port, a discharge port, and a resin channel. The resin channel includes a reserving portion, a first partial channel connecting the supply port and the reserving portion, a second partial channel connecting the reserving portion and the discharge port, a relay channel connecting the first partial channel, the reserving portion and the second partial channel, and a connecting channel connecting the first partial channel and the second partial channel. The plunger discharges the molten resin reserved in the reserving portion. The valve member is provided in the connecting channel and the second partial channel. The first partial channel and the relay channel are connected to the connecting channel so as to intersect with the connecting channel. The valve member includes a first valve portion and a second valve portion.

A method is provided for controlling an injection molding system, which includes a mold having an inner surface defining at least two groups of cavities, each group of cavities defining precisely one cavity with one pressure sensor at the inner surface. Each group of cavities is at least partially surrounded by a tempering unit that provides an energy flow to the surrounded cavities. According to the method, a pressure is determined in each group of cavities of the at least two groups of cavities. A reference pressure is determined for each group of cavities. A difference between the reference pressure and the pressure in at least one group of cavities is determined and controlled to become minimum by manipulating the energy flow of the tempering unit.

A waterproof gasket structure and its gasket shaping mold are provided. The gasket shaping mold includes a mold seat having a surface, and plural mold cavity ring-grooves concavely formed on the surface, each having two corresponding longitudinal groove sections. At least one longitudinal groove section has one or more inwardly bent wavy bent portions, and plural turning round corner portions are formed at the junction between the longitudinal groove section and the wavy bent portion, and each turning round corner portion has a radius equal to or greater than 6 mm. Therefore, the middle of the mold cavity ring-groove can be utilized effectively, and plural waterproof gaskets can be manufactured by the same gasket shaping mold while achieving the effects of reducing the mold volume, improving the manufacturing efficiency, and saving the manufacturing cost.

A method of detecting and compensating for a non-operational mold cavity in an injection molding apparatus having a plurality of mold cavities and an injection molding screw or ram includes injecting, via the injection molding screw or ram, a molten thermoplastic material into the plurality of mold cavities. The method includes measuring a first process parameter of the injection molding apparatus at a pre-determined time during or after the injecting. The method also includes determining, based on the first process parameter, whether one or more mold cavities of the plurality of mold cavities are non-operational. Then, when it is determined that one or more mold cavities are non-operational, the method includes automatically adjusting the first process parameter or a second process parameter of the injection molding apparatus.

An Injection molding apparatus injection molding apparatus (10a) comprising: one or more first downstream channels (166, 166a, 166b) and associated first gates (34, 34a, 34b) that deliver injection fluid (18) to a first cavity (300a) of a mold system (302, 303) and to one or more second downstream channels (168, 168a, 168b) and associated second gates (32, 32a, 32b) that deliver injection fluid to a second cavity (300b) of the mold system (302, 303), the mold system being clamped together under a selected force, the apparatus including a first upstream valve (118) that enables and disables flow of the injection fluid to the first gates (34, 34a, 34b) and a second upstream valve (108) that enables and disables flow of the injection fluid to the one or more second gates (32, 32a, 32b), the apparatus including a control system (20) adapted to open or enable flow of the injection fluid (18) to the one or more first gates (34, 34a, 34b) at a first selected time and to further instruct the second upstream valve (108) to open or enable flow of the injection fluid (18) to the one or more second gates (32, 32a, 32b) at a second selected time that is delayed relative to the first selected time during the course of an injection cycle.

An injection mold (100) including a core plate assembly (200), a cavity plate assembly (400) and a stripper plate assembly (300) arranged between the core and cavity plate assemblies (200, 400). The mold (100) includes a plurality of mold stacks (MS) with a molding configuration, in which the mold stacks (MS) are closed to define molding cavities. A gap (G) is provided between the core plate (210) and the stripper plate (310) when the mold (100) is in the molding configuration, such that a clamping load (CL) applied to urge the core plate (210) toward the cavity plate (410) is directed substantially entirely through the mold stacks (MS).

In an aspect, a mold stack may comprise two adjacent components, one at least partially defining a vent adjustable between a molding configuration and a cleaning configuration. A junction of the components may be adjustable between a molding configuration, wherein mating faces contact one another to define a parting line, and a cleaning configuration, wherein mating faces are separated to create a molding cavity extension therebetween and an auxiliary melt barrier prevents uncontrolled flashing from the extension.

In an aspect, a mold stack may comprise two adjacent components, one at least partially defining a vent adjustable between a molding configuration and a cleaning configuration. A junction of the components may be adjustable between a molding configuration, wherein mating faces contact one another to define a parting line, and a cleaning configuration, wherein mating faces are separated to create a molding cavity extension therebetween and an auxiliary melt barrier prevents uncontrolled flashing from the extension. In another aspect, a mold shut height adjustment mechanism may include a mold component movable along an operational axis of the mold, a stop member, movable along the axis relative to the mold component, having first and second stops for providing first and second gaps on the front and back sides, respectively, of the mold component when the stop member is deployed, and a spacer for use in selectively deploying the stop member.

A method for manufacturing an enclosure for a utility meter is provided, wherein at least two of a main cover part, an exterior terminal cover part, and an interior terminal cover part are at least partly formed jointly as a cover assembly in an injection moulding device. Further provided is a utility meter with an enclosure manufactured by the method.