A method of forming an orthodontic aligner from an aligner digital model, the method comprising the steps of: (a) three-dimensionally printing an intermediate structure comprising fused filaments from a biocompatible thermoplastic according to the aligner digital model via fused deposition modelling; (b) coating the intermediate structure with a biocompatible translucent photopolymer; and (c) irradiating the coating with ultraviolet light to cure the coating on the intermediate structure, thereby forming the orthodontic aligner.

The invention concerns an injection overmoulding device comprising at least one indexed rotary turret on which cooled moulds are installed, each mould comprising a plurality of cavities, and at least five stationary stations arranged around said turret, including at least a first station, a second station and a third station that are used, respectively, for carrying out the operations of positioning the inserts in the cavities of the mould, injecting plastic material into the cavities of the mould, and demoulding the at least partially cooled objects. The device comprises, for each mould, at least separate injection means. The invention also concerns a method implemented by the device.

A method for processing film webs including providing at least two film webs that are arranged next to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feed direction and have motifs, delivering the at least two film webs that are arranged next to one another into the injection mold and aligning the at least two film webs that are arranged next to one another in such a way that each motif is arranged register-accurate with respect to a respective cavity. A feed device includes at least two film pay-off reels and at least two film take-up reels, wherein one film pay-off reel and one film take-up reel is assigned to each film web. An injection mold for back injection molding at least two film webs having motifs has at least two cavities.

An apparatus usable with an injection molder for producing articles includes a first mold support including a first mold, and a second mold support including a second mold and a first die. The first mold support is movable relative to the second mold support between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first mold and the second mold being brought together to form an injection molded article include a body having at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the body and facing the second mold. In the second position, the first mold and the first die being brought together to subsequently form the article, the first die selectively subsequently forming an altered cross sectional region in at least a portion of the protrusion, forming an undercut in the altered cross sectional region or between the altered cross sectional region of the subsequently formed protrusion and the body.

An in-mold lid closing apparatus includes a lid engagement member, a first actuation assembly connected to a first portion of the lid engagement member, a second actuation assembly connected to a second opposing portion of the lid engagement member, and a controller disposed in electrical communication with the first actuation assembly and the second actuation assembly. The controller is configured to transmit a first drive signal to the first actuation assembly and a second drive signal to the second actuation assembly to drive one of a linear position and a rotational position of the lid engagement member and to adjust at least one of the first drive signal and the second drive signal based upon a first feedback signal received from the first actuation assembly and a second feedback signal received from the second actuation assembly.

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.

An injection molding tool comprising two mold parts arranged for mutual movement along a tool axis between a closed position and an open position. The injection molding tool comprises a first mold core having a mounting end and a core end. Each of the two mold parts, in the closed position, form a mold cavity and a socket adapted for holding the mounting end between the two mold parts, and for releasing the mounting end in the open position. The core end of the first mold core in the closed position, extends along a core axis from the mounting end and into the mold cavity in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of the tool axis, so that the mold cavity forms a tubular space extending axially along the core axis between both of the two mold parts and the core end of the mold core part.

An injection molding apparatus may include a first mold plate and a second mold plate. The second mold plate may be movable outside an injection molding station defined by these mold plates. The second mold plate may carry parts of type A and parts of type B molded at the same time within the injection molding station. A transferring mechanism may carry the second mold plate to removing and assembling stations where molded parts A are first removed from the second mold plate and next parts A are positioned relative molded parts B, where the molded parts B and A are finally assembled. Simultaneously other parts A and B may be molded at the injection molding station using an additional and identical second mold plate. Depending on the application, molded parts A and B may be made of the same or different materials.

The present invention concerns a handling plate for handling or aftertreatment of a plurality of mouldings, wherein the handling plate has a plurality of handling and/or aftertreatment tools arranged in columns and rows. In order to provide a treatment plate which can be used in relation to different tools it is proposed according to the invention that the spacings between the handling and/or aftertreatment tools are variable within the columns and/or within the rows.

A cavity plate assembly (400) for a preform mold (100), which includes a cavity plate (410) having an array of seats (412) and a corresponding array of cavity inserts (440) mounted to a front face (CVF) of the cavity plate (410) and in communication with a respective seat (412). Each cavity insert (440) includes a body (441) with a mounting face (441a) and a spigot (443) projecting from the mounting face (441a) and received in a respective seat (412) of the cavity plate (410) such that the mounting (441a) face abuts the front face (CVF) of the cavity plate (410). Each cavity insert (440) also includes a molding surface (448) along its length, at least two thirds of which extends beyond the cavity plate (410).