A unitary monolithically formed hot-runner apparatus having at least a manifold containment structure, a hot-runner manifold, at least one nozzle, and one or more spacers. In some embodiments, the manifold containment structure, hot-runner manifold, nozzle(s), and spacer(s) may be multi-material apparatuses of unitary monolithic construction. In other embodiments, a thermal expansion accommodation portion is provided for each nozzle to accommodate thermal growth. Each spacer may be formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the materials of the hot-runner manifold and manifold containment structure and may be made to include a discontinuity to allow for thermal expansion.

An injection molding method for a molded item uses a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) material, wherein a filling peak pressure is 40 MPa to 150 MPa. The PEEK material may be injected to form the molded item from a runner member through a multipoint gate and then optionally a subrunner. The runner member and the subrunner may be connected to each other by a film gate. A stretching processing may be applied after the PEEK material is injected to increase a length 1.2 to 5 fold and increase a diameter to 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm. The stretching processing may use an in-mold stretching method.

The present disclosure relates to machines and methods for reaction injection molding. In particular, the present disclosure provides small format reaction injection molding machines having exchangeable molds and reactant material tanks, as well as molds configured for use therein and associated componentry.

Upper and lower temperature control plates of upper and temperature control plate members are attacked so as to interpose a manifold body of a manifold therebetween. Upper and lower oil flow circuits provided in the respective upper and lower temperature control plates control the temperature of the manifold body heated by a plurality of coil heaters to a temperature suitable for preventing carbonization of a molten resin flowing in a flow-dividing type flow path of the manifold body.

A rotary molding system for molding food products, mold cavities formed when a mold shell rotates mold shapes disposed along the mold shell into a fill position between a fill plate and a wear plate. Molded food products are removed from mold cavities using knock-out cups, the use of air pressure, or the use of a vacuum source disposed below the mold cavity, without the need to slow the rotation of the mold shell. Knock-out cups may be used with a heating system to reduce accumulation of unwanted materials on the knock-out cups. The rotary molding system can also be used to form products with contoured surfaces. A smart tagging system can be used to ensure that compatible sets of mold shells and knock out cups are being used. A vacuum region may be disposed upstream of the fill position to remove air within the mold cavity prior to filling.

The invention relates to a mold base for a system for injection molding of plastic parts, in particular for automotive body and/or structure components, preferably for baffle and/or reinforcing structures, comprising at least one, namely first, bridge manifold with at least a first and a second bridge manifold opening for feeding material to at least a first and a second sub-manifold of at least one mold insert assembly and at least a first and a second control valve, wherein the first control valve is provided and configured for controlling the material feed through the first bridge manifold opening and the second control valve is provided and configured for controlling the material feed through the second bridge manifold opening.

An injection molding nozzle system for delivering molten material from a manifold to a nozzle is disclosed. The manifold and nozzle are disposed within pocket of a manifold plate. The nozzle is secured to a melt-transfer bushing disposed within the manifold via a collar. The collar is secured to the bushing such that it is centered about the axis of the outlet of the bushing. A support ring supports the nozzle within the pocket such that the nozzle is centered about the axis of the pocket. In a cold state, the outlet of the bushing and the inlet of the nozzle are misaligned. In operation, thermal expansion of the components bring the outlet of the bushing and the nozzle into alignment. The melt-transfer bushing and the connection of the nozzle to the manifold, via the releasable connection between the collar and the bushing facilitates manufacture and assembly of the system.

An injection molding apparatus (10) comprising an actuator (940, 941, 942) comprised of a driver (940dr, 941dr, 942dr) receiving electrical energy or power from an electrical drive (940d, 941d, 942d), the electrical drive (940d, 941d, 942d) comprising an interface that receives and controllably distributes electrical energy or power in controllably varied amounts during the course of an injection cycle to the driver (940dr, 941dr, 942dr), the electrical drive (940d, 941d, 942d) being housed within or by an actuator housing (940h, 941h, 942h) or being mounted on or to the housing (940h, 941h, 942h), the housing (940h, 941h, 942h) and the electrical drive (940d, 941d, 942d) being mounted on, to or in close proximity to the heated manifold (40), a cooling device (940mc, 940mc1, 940mc2, 941mc, 942mc) disposed between the heated manifold (40) and the housing (940h, 941h, 942h) adapted to substantially isolate or insulate at least the electrical drive (940d, 941d, 942d) from substantial communication with heat emanating or emitted from the heated manifold (40).

Aspects of the present disclosure include branching fluid passages in an apparatus that reduce turbulent flow and generate evenly distributed fluid pressure as the fluids branch off into the different passages. In some embodiments, the branching passages may be subdivided into two sets: the branching passages for the liquid fuel and the branching passages for the liquid oxidizer. In some embodiments, the two sets of passages are carefully designed in an elegant yet extremely intricate manner that is optimized for proper fluid flow and maximal burn efficiency. The ends of all of the passages meet at the injector interface, which dispense the liquids into the combustion chamber for ignition. Generally, these designs are achieved through additive manufacturing, and would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to be manufactured using traditional techniques.

The present disclosure relates to machines and methods for reaction injection molding. In particular, the present disclosure provides small format reaction injection molding machines having exchangeable molds and reactant material tanks, as well as molds configured for use therein and associated componentry.