The present invention provides a molding machine that can easily detect viscosity of resin in a cylinder without advance preparations. An injection molding machine (10) includes an ultrasonic viscosity sensor (20), and the ultrasonic viscosity sensor (20) includes an ultrasonic vibration portion in contact with resin filled in a cylinder (12).

The present invention provides a molding machine that can easily detect viscosity of resin in a cylinder without advance preparations. An injection molding machine (10) includes an ultrasonic viscosity sensor (20), and the ultrasonic viscosity sensor (20) includes an ultrasonic vibration portion in contact with resin filled in a cylinder (12).

A hydraulic drive apparatus includes a first hydraulic pump, a drive motor connected to the first hydraulic pump, a hydraulic line system connecting the first hydraulic pump to the consumer, and a closed-loop control unit. The closed-loop control unit has a first switching element to change a displacement volume of the first hydraulic pump between a predetermined minimum value and a maximum value. A second hydraulic pump is connected to the drive motor, and the hydraulic line system connects the second hydraulic pump to a consumer and has a first branch line connected to the first hydraulic pump, a second branch line connected to a second hydraulic pump, and a main line. The two branch lines open into the main line, and the closed-loop control unit has a second switching element for changing a displacement volume of the second hydraulic pump between a predetermined minimum value and a maximum value.

A hydraulic drive apparatus includes a first hydraulic pump, a drive motor connected to the first hydraulic pump, a hydraulic line system connecting the first hydraulic pump to the consumer, and a closed-loop control unit. The closed-loop control unit has a first switching element to change a displacement volume of the first hydraulic pump between a predetermined minimum value and a maximum value. A second hydraulic pump is connected to the drive motor, and the hydraulic line system connects the second hydraulic pump to a consumer and has a first branch line connected to the first hydraulic pump, a second branch line connected to a second hydraulic pump, and a main line. The two branch lines open into the main line, and the closed-loop control unit has a second switching element for changing a displacement volume of the second hydraulic pump between a predetermined minimum value and a maximum value.

A shut-off nozzle includes: an injection nozzle in which a flow path is formed; a needle valve provided in the flow path coaxially with the injection nozzle, the needle valve being movable forward and backward in an axial direction; and a guide ring provided in the flow path. The needle valve includes a columnar shaft portion, and the guide ring is configured to guide the forward and backward movement of the needle valve at the shaft portion. An injection device includes: a heating cylinder; a screw provided in the heating cylinder; and the shut-off nozzle provided in the heating cylinder. An injection molding machine includes: a mold clamping device configured to clamp a mold; and the injection device configured to inject a resin.

A shut-off nozzle includes: an injection nozzle in which a flow path is formed; a needle valve provided in the flow path coaxially with the injection nozzle, the needle valve being movable forward and backward in an axial direction; and a guide ring provided in the flow path. The needle valve includes a columnar shaft portion, and the guide ring is configured to guide the forward and backward movement of the needle valve at the shaft portion. An injection device includes: a heating cylinder; a screw provided in the heating cylinder; and the shut-off nozzle provided in the heating cylinder. An injection molding machine includes: a mold clamping device configured to clamp a mold; and the injection device configured to inject a resin.

An injection molding machine is provided that includes a clamping force sensor that detects a clamping force of a mold, and a clamping force monitoring unit that monitors a detected value of the clamping force sensor and calculates a first mold open distance and/or a second mold open distance. The first mold open distance is calculated based on the difference between the maximum value of the detected values obtained during an injection process and a pressure holding process and the detected value obtained at the start of the injection process. The second mold open distance that is calculated based on the difference between the detected value obtained at the end of the pressure holding process and the detected value obtained at the start of the injection process.

An injection molding machine is provided that includes a clamping force sensor that detects a clamping force of a mold, and a clamping force monitoring unit that monitors a detected value of the clamping force sensor and calculates a first mold open distance and/or a second mold open distance. The first mold open distance is calculated based on the difference between the maximum value of the detected values obtained during an injection process and a pressure holding process and the detected value obtained at the start of the injection process. The second mold open distance that is calculated based on the difference between the detected value obtained at the end of the pressure holding process and the detected value obtained at the start of the injection process.

A system, method and apparatus for controlling an injection unit to transfer a material to a mold cavity includes a first actuator and a second actuator, and a controller that is operatively connected to the first actuator and the second actuator. The first and second actuators are coupled to a ram of the injection unit. The first actuator rotates the ram within the barrel, and the second actuator translates the ram within the barrel. During a material fill stage of an injection cycle, the controller controls the first actuator to rotate the ram within the barrel. The controller also controls the second actuator to translate the ram within the barrel, and controls the second actuator to retract the ram away from a nozzle of the injection unit while exerting a compression force on the ram towards the nozzle.

Apparatus and method for performing an injection molding cycle using the apparatus where the apparatus comprises: a manifold, a pneumatic actuator driven by a pneumatic valve assembly, the actuator driving a valve pin between a gate closed position and a maximum injection fluid flow position, the pneumatic valve assembly having a spool supported within a cylinder driven by a drive device that is supported solely by and translates together with the spool, a controller that instructs the pneumatic valve assembly to cause the actuator to drive the valve pin either upstream or downstream to selected positions or at selected velocities during the course of a single injection cycle based on a feedback signal indicative of position of the pin or actuator or pressure of an injection fluid material.