An injection molding includes: a clamping mechanism (conversion mechanism and toggle mechanism) for moving a fixed platen that retains a fixed die toward a fixed platen that retains a fixed die to bring the fixed die and the movable die into contract, and generating a clamping force therebetween; a drive source (mold opening/closing motor) for driving the clamping mechanism; a clamping force detection unit for detecting the clamping force; an elongation value detection unit for detecting an elongation value indicating the amount of elongation of a tie bar that extends as the clamping force is generated; and an abnormality determination unit for determining an abnormality in the injection molding machine on the basis of the ratio of the elongation value and the clamping force.

A brake control method for an injection molding machine includes the steps of obtaining mold clamping force information indicating the mold clamping force of a mold opening/closing mechanism and determining whether or not the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism exceeds a predetermined value, based on the mold clamping force information. When the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism does not exceed the predetermined value and when a servo amplifier cuts off the supply of power to a servomotor that drives the mold opening/closing mechanism, a brake mechanism for applying braking force to the mold opening/closing mechanism is actuated. On the other hand, when the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism exceeds the predetermined value, the brake mechanism will not be actuated.

A brake control method for an injection molding machine includes the steps of obtaining mold clamping force information indicating the mold clamping force of a mold opening/closing mechanism and determining whether or not the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism exceeds a predetermined value, based on the mold clamping force information. When the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism does not exceed the predetermined value and when a servo amplifier cuts off the supply of power to a servomotor that drives the mold opening/closing mechanism, a brake mechanism for applying braking force to the mold opening/closing mechanism is actuated. On the other hand, when the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism exceeds the predetermined value, the brake mechanism will not be actuated.

A mold for forming a temporary prosthesis has at least two mold members at least partially separable from each other. The at least two mold members cooperatively define a generally enclosed interior cavity for forming the temporary prosthesis. The mold has a securement structure mounted on the at least two mold members for securing the at least two mold members to each other during the forming of the temporary prosthesis. The securement structure is removable from the at least two mold members by hand and without the use of a tool.

A mold for forming a temporary prosthesis has at least two mold members at least partially separable from each other. The at least two mold members cooperatively define a generally enclosed interior cavity for forming the temporary prosthesis. The mold has a securement structure mounted on the at least two mold members for securing the at least two mold members to each other during the forming of the temporary prosthesis. The securement structure is removable from the at least two mold members by hand and without the use of a tool.

Embodiments of the invention provide a self-sufficient sequential locking device and an injection molding tool. The self-sufficient sequential locking device comprises an elongate body having two ends which are provided with first and second inner engagement elements respectively; first and second outer engagement elements selectably engageable with the first and second inner engagement elements respectively for alternatively establishing a first or a second connection by rotation of the elongate body between a first position in which the first connection is secured and the second connection is simultaneously releasable, and a second position in which the second connection is secured and the first connection is simultaneously releasable, and first and second locking element respectively cooperable with the first and second inner engagement element for securing the first connection when the elongate body is in the first position or the second connection when the elongate body is in the second position.

Embodiments of the invention provide a self-sufficient sequential locking device and an injection molding tool. The self-sufficient sequential locking device comprises an elongate body having two ends which are provided with first and second inner engagement elements respectively; first and second outer engagement elements selectably engageable with the first and second inner engagement elements respectively for alternatively establishing a first or a second connection by rotation of the elongate body between a first position in which the first connection is secured and the second connection is simultaneously releasable, and a second position in which the second connection is secured and the first connection is simultaneously releasable, and first and second locking element respectively cooperable with the first and second inner engagement element for securing the first connection when the elongate body is in the first position or the second connection when the elongate body is in the second position.

An injection molding apparatus comprises a support base and a mold carrier removably mounted to the support base. The mold carrier includes a mounting plate with attachment features for engaging the support base. A mold with two mold plates is slidably mounted to the mounting 5 plate. A clamp is operable to move the plates between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the plates abut one another. In the open position, the plates are spaced apart for removing molded articles.

Mold clamping conditions, including a predetermined mold gap, a predetermined mold clamping force, a predetermined back pressure for a movable mold, a predetermined mold closing pressure, and a predetermined mold closing pressure adjustment condition associated with the compression state of a molding material, are set beforehand. At the time of molding, an injection filling process for causing the injection device to inject and fill the molding material into a mold of a mold clamping device for which the mold clamping conditions have been set is performed, and, after completion of the injection filling process, a compression process is performed on the basis of the mold clamping conditions including the mold closing pressure adjustment condition.

Mold clamping conditions, including a predetermined mold gap, a predetermined mold clamping force, a predetermined back pressure for a movable mold, a predetermined mold closing pressure, and a predetermined mold closing pressure adjustment condition associated with the compression state of a molding material, are set beforehand. At the time of molding, an injection filling process for causing the injection device to inject and fill the molding material into a mold of a mold clamping device for which the mold clamping conditions have been set is performed, and, after completion of the injection filling process, a compression process is performed on the basis of the mold clamping conditions including the mold closing pressure adjustment condition.