An apparatus for forming a first component making up at least a part of a housing on a trimmer head and a method of using the apparatus. The housing has a rotary axis and is configured to support at least one radially projecting cutting component. The first component has a central axis. A forming unit defines at least one cavity within which a moldable material is confined to produce at least a part of a wall on the first component that extends around the rotary axis. The forming unit is configured to allow selective controlling of a quantity of a moldable material introduced into a first discrete subvolume at a first location in the one cavity to thereby allow selective controlling of a mass of a portion of the at least part of the wall formed by the moldable material in the one cavity at the first location to facilitate dynamic balancing of the housing, within which the first component is incorporated, with respect to the rotary axis.

The invention relates to a system for monitoring the position of the closing unit of an injection-molding machine, by bypassing a light curtain that serves to secure the closing unit and the tool area of the injection-molding machine, wherein the injection-molding machine has at least one molding tool that consists of at least two parts, which tool encloses at least one mold cavity, wherein the injection-molding machine has a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling the movement monitoring module (MOC) for indirect position monitoring of the closing unit and of the position of the molding tool parts relative to one another, wherein distance measuring sticks are provided as sensors, the signals of which are processed in the PLC via the MOC, wherein the tool parts must maintain a spacing gap, relative to one another, after the closing pressure has been built up and the mold has been filled, during the subsequent bumping step, which gap has a specific maximal value assigned to it, with the injection-molding machine shutting off if this value is exceeded.

The invention relates to a system for monitoring the position of the closing unit of an injection-molding machine, by bypassing a light curtain that serves to secure the closing unit and the tool area of the injection-molding machine, wherein the injection-molding machine has at least one molding tool that consists of at least two parts, which tool encloses at least one mold cavity, wherein the injection-molding machine has a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling the movement monitoring module (MOC) for indirect position monitoring of the closing unit and of the position of the molding tool parts relative to one another, wherein distance measuring sticks are provided as sensors, the signals of which are processed in the PLC via the MOC, wherein the tool parts must maintain a spacing gap, relative to one another, after the closing pressure has been built up and the mold has been filled, during the subsequent bumping step, which gap has a specific maximal value assigned to it, with the injection-molding machine shutting off if this value is exceeded.

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.

An injection molding tool or an injection method for producing at least one molded part in a molding space, wherein the injection molding tool has at least two tool elements which are movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the molding space is at least partially enclosed by the at least two tool elements and wherein in the open position a molded part produced in the molding space can be removed from the injection molding tool. In order to enable cleaning of the injection molding tool, a cleaning position is provided which lies between the open position and the closed position and in which a spacer element is arranged between the tool elements.

Method for initial adjustment of a facility for producing a series of containers from a container model based on a series of preforms from a preform model. The facility includes a forming machine with a forming station where a preform is formed into a container. The initial adjustment method includes: determining a preform parameter relative to the preform model and a container parameter relative to the container model to be produced based on the preform model; determining at least one adjustment parameter of the forming machine, making it possible to produce a container in conformance with the container model based on a preform in conformance with the preform model; and adjusting the forming machine according to the preform, container and adjustment parameters. The step for determining at least one adjustment parameter of the forming machine is done by calculation based on pre-recorded formulas, utilizing the preform and container parameters.

Method for initial adjustment of a facility for producing a series of containers from a container model based on a series of preforms from a preform model. The facility includes a forming machine with a forming station where a preform is formed into a container. The initial adjustment method includes: determining a preform parameter relative to the preform model and a container parameter relative to the container model to be produced based on the preform model; determining at least one adjustment parameter of the forming machine, making it possible to produce a container in conformance with the container model based on a preform in conformance with the preform model; and adjusting the forming machine according to the preform, container and adjustment parameters. The step for determining at least one adjustment parameter of the forming machine is done by calculation based on pre-recorded formulas, utilizing the preform and container parameters.

In a method for controlling or regulating a closing mechanism of a moulding machine, a first trajectory for the controlled or regulated movement of the movable platen is calculated using a first algorithm based on operator inputs relating to the desired movement of the movable platen, and the movable platen is moved in a controlled or regulated manner at least once according to the first trajectory. At least one dynamic or kinematic variable of the closing mechanism is measured during at least one of the movements of the movable platen according to the first trajectory, and an estimate of at least one parameter value is generated based on the measurement. A second trajectory for the controlled or regulated movement of the movable platen is calculated based on the estimate, and the movable platen is moved in a controlled or regulated manner according to the second trajectory.

In a method for controlling or regulating a closing mechanism of a moulding machine, a first trajectory for the controlled or regulated movement of the movable platen is calculated using a first algorithm based on operator inputs relating to the desired movement of the movable platen, and the movable platen is moved in a controlled or regulated manner at least once according to the first trajectory. At least one dynamic or kinematic variable of the closing mechanism is measured during at least one of the movements of the movable platen according to the first trajectory, and an estimate of at least one parameter value is generated based on the measurement. A second trajectory for the controlled or regulated movement of the movable platen is calculated based on the estimate, and the movable platen is moved in a controlled or regulated manner according to the second trajectory.