A monitoring apparatus for molds includes a control unit connectable to a first and second sensor associable with the mold and configured for emitting respective signals representative of a deformation parameter and temperature parameter of the mold. The control unit, in order to define an alert condition, is configured for: defining a value of a threshold parameter as a function of the temperature of the mold and comparing such value of the deformation parameter with a value of a threshold parameter defined as a function of the temperature of the mold; or normalizing, at a reference temperature, the value of the deformation parameter determined at the temperature of the mold and comparing a value of a threshold parameter, defined at the reference temperature, with the value of the normalized deformation parameter at the same reference temperature. Also forming the object of the present invention is a monitoring method and a data medium.

A monitoring apparatus for molds includes a control unit connectable to a first and second sensor associable with the mold and configured for emitting respective signals representative of a deformation parameter and temperature parameter of the mold. The control unit, in order to define an alert condition, is configured for: defining a value of a threshold parameter as a function of the temperature of the mold and comparing such value of the deformation parameter with a value of a threshold parameter defined as a function of the temperature of the mold; or normalizing, at a reference temperature, the value of the deformation parameter determined at the temperature of the mold and comparing a value of a threshold parameter, defined at the reference temperature, with the value of the normalized deformation parameter at the same reference temperature. Also forming the object of the present invention is a monitoring method and a data medium.

An automated in-mold label handling and product unloading device for use with a plastic material injection molding machine includes a label handling arm provided with a label holder at an outer end thereof, and a product unloading arm provided with a product gripper at an outer end thereof. The device has a stationary frame and a first linear guide device that supports the label handling arm so as to reciprocate along a y-axis direction. The device has a second linear guide device that supports the product unloading arm so as to reciprocate along a y-axis direction. The first and second linear guide devices are guided relative to the frame to be movable parallel to the x-axis. A label handling arm x-axis drive mechanism has a first drive motor mounted on the frame and a first transmission coupled to said first drive motor and to the first linear guide device.

An automated in-mold label handling and product unloading device for use with a plastic material injection molding machine includes a label handling arm provided with a label holder at an outer end thereof, and a product unloading arm provided with a product gripper at an outer end thereof. The device has a stationary frame and a first linear guide device that supports the label handling arm so as to reciprocate along a y-axis direction. The device has a second linear guide device that supports the product unloading arm so as to reciprocate along a y-axis direction. The first and second linear guide devices are guided relative to the frame to be movable parallel to the x-axis. A label handling arm x-axis drive mechanism has a first drive motor mounted on the frame and a first transmission coupled to said first drive motor and to the first linear guide device.

A shrinkage detection device for a polymer injection molding apparatus detects a shrinkage experienced by an injection molded element for assessing a quality of the molded element. Shrinkage, along with temperature and pressure of the melt within the mold during cooling, indicates a sufficiency of the resulting molded element for intended purposes. Sufficiency includes parameters such as flexibility, shear strength and longevity, and is accurately performed can replace conventional sample testing of molded articles that are expensive and time consuming.

A shrinkage detection device for a polymer injection molding apparatus detects a shrinkage experienced by an injection molded element for assessing a quality of the molded element. Shrinkage, along with temperature and pressure of the melt within the mold during cooling, indicates a sufficiency of the resulting molded element for intended purposes. Sufficiency includes parameters such as flexibility, shear strength and longevity, and is accurately performed can replace conventional sample testing of molded articles that are expensive and time consuming.

A portable molding system is configured for forming insulation on pipes. A set of transportable process modules are configured to be shipped to a molding site, operatively connected together at the molding site to form a site-installed molding system, and subsequently disconnected for transport to another site. The set of transportable process modules includes one or more resin preparation modules configured to prepare resin for being formed into insulation on the pipes. One or more mold modules are configured to define a mold cavity. The one or more mold modules are configured to hold a pipe in the mold cavity, to receive resin prepared by the one or more resin preparation modules in the mold cavity around the pipe, and to form said resin received in the mold cavity into insulation on the pipe.

A portable molding system is configured for forming insulation on pipes. A set of transportable process modules are configured to be shipped to a molding site, operatively connected together at the molding site to form a site-installed molding system, and subsequently disconnected for transport to another site. The set of transportable process modules includes one or more resin preparation modules configured to prepare resin for being formed into insulation on the pipes. One or more mold modules are configured to define a mold cavity. The one or more mold modules are configured to hold a pipe in the mold cavity, to receive resin prepared by the one or more resin preparation modules in the mold cavity around the pipe, and to form said resin received in the mold cavity into insulation on the pipe.

A positioning control device mounted on an industrial machine including a driver including a motor, a movable body movable by the driver, a first detector that detects a position of the movable body based on the amount of driving of the driver, a servo amplifier that performs first feedback control of feedback-controlling driving of the motor based on a first detection value by the first detector, and a second detector that detects a position of the movable body when the movable body comes closer to a target position within a distance or shorter. The positioning control device is configured to position the movable body at the target position and includes a controller that controls the servo amplifier. The controller includes a switching unit that switches control modes between a first control mode performing the first feedback control and a second control mode disabling the first feedback control of the servo amplifier and performing second feedback control of feedback-controlling driving of the motor based on a second detection value by the second detector.

An apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of mold material to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising: an injection molding machine and a manifold; an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end; a valve system in fluid communication with the actuator to drive the actuator at one or more rates of travel, the valve system having a start position, one or more intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the start position holding the valve pin in a gate closed position; a controller that instructs the valve system to move from the start position to the one or more intermediate drive rate positions and to remain in the one or more intermediate drive rate positions for one or more corresponding predetermined amounts of time.