An inner mandrel for forming a variable taper component includes a plurality of interlocking pieces and a brace. Each interlocking piece defines opposed tapered edge faces, a first surface, and a tapered second surface opposite the first surface. One of the edge faces defines a locking feature and another of the edge faces defines a receiving feature engaging the locking feature of an adjacent interlocking piece. The first surface defines a variable taper and a plurality of recesses. The brace secures the plurality of interlocking pieces to each other in a concentric arrangement about a central axis. A maximum width of each of the interlocking pieces is smaller than a minimum width of an end portion of the variable taper component. A central portion of the variable taper component is wider than the end portions.

A family of manifolds for a family of engines. A first and second engine respectively have a first and second number of cylinders. The second number is at least one and smaller than the first number. Each manifold has a plenum chamber and an inlet. The first and second manifolds respectively have the first and second number of outlets, each connected to one of a first number of runner passages. The first manifold is manufactured by inserting an outlet insert for forming at least one of the first number of outlets into a first or second mold, forming a first portion thereof using the first mold, forming a second portion thereof using the second mold, and connecting the portions. The second manifold is manufactured by forming a first portion thereof using the first mold, forming a second portion thereof using the second mold, and connecting the portions.

A process is provided for making a walled structure using an injection molding apparatus. The apparatus has a molding space formed between a mold cavity and an inner core disposed within the mold cavity. The molding space defines a shape of the structure. The process includes injecting molding material into the molding space, moving or retaining a portion of a movable impression member protruding from the inner core within a portion of the molding space so as to create a recess within an inner wall of the structure, and retracting the impression member into the inner core such that the impression member is cleared from the molding space. Precision control in forming the impression member is provided by a closed-loop configuration using a sensor that measures a molding space parameter (e.g., temperature), optionally in combination with a servo drive for activating the impression member.

A family of manifolds for a family of engines. A first and second engine respectively have a first and second number of cylinders. The second number is at least one and smaller than the first number. Each manifold has a plenum chamber and an inlet. The first and second manifolds respectively have the first and second number of outlets, each connected to one of a first number of runner passages. The first manifold is manufactured by inserting an outlet insert for forming at least one of the first number of outlets into a first or second mold, forming a first portion thereof using the first mold, forming a second portion thereof using the second mold, and connecting the portions. The second manifold is manufactured by forming a first portion thereof using the first mold, forming a second portion thereof using the second mold, and connecting the portions.

A mold stack for a mold comprises a mold core configured for reception in a mold cavity plate with an outer molding surface. The mold core comprises an inner core with a first tapered guide surface and an outer core with a second tapered guide surface. The inner core is received through a passage in the outer core. A spacer slidably supports the outer core on the inner core. The outer core is movable relative to the inner core between a molding position in which the inner and outer cores define a mold cavity with the outer molding surface, and an open position in which the outer core is extended relative to the inner core. In the molding position, the first and second tapered guide surfaces engage one another to align the inner and outer cores.

Provided are a resin molding mold enabling an intake manifold made of a resin to be manufactured at low cost, an intake manifold, and a method for molding a resin for an intake manifold. The resin molding mold for an intake manifold includes a slide mold provided at an end of a surge tank and a plurality of combination-type core molds molding an inner surface of the surge tank. The core molds include a first core member capable of a relative movement in advance of another core member after resin molding, and a second core member capable of moving with utilizing an inner space formed by the relative movement of the first core member. The first core member and the second core member are configured to be extractable through a space inwardly of a resin-molded flange.