An injection molding apparatus, comprising: an injection molding machine; a distribution manifold having a distribution channel, a clamp device arranged to clamp together, under a selected clamp force, a mold system having a plurality of mold cavities one or more first downstream channels fluidly coupled to the distribution channel; one or more first gates arranged to deliver injection fluid to a first cavity; one or more second downstream channels fluidly coupled to the distribution channel; one or more second gates arranged to deliver injection fluid to a second cavity; a control system adapted to: instruct the first upstream valve and a second upstream valve; and at least one downstream valve having a valve pin having a control surface for controlling flow of injection fluid.

An improved actuator for a valve gate assembly is provided. The actuator includes a planetary assembly for converting rotation of an electrical motor into linear movement of a valve gate pin while also providing mechanical advantage to the motor against injection pressures from 15,000 psi to at least 25,000 psi. An internal cooling volume surrounds the motor for continuously cooling the motor with water, and an internal encoder converts an angular rotation within the actuator into an analog or digital signal for output to a controller.

Apparatus and method for detecting a position of an actuator piston driving a valve pin in an injection molding system. The apparatus includes an actuator housing having a body portion, surrounding an axial bore, of a substantially non-magnetic and/or magnetically permeable material, a piston, movable within the axial bore for driving a valve pin, the piston including a magnetic member generating a magnetic field such that axial movement of the piston in the bore modifies the magnetic field according to the position of the piston relative to a detection position, and a magnetic field detector attached to an exterior surface of the body portion at the detection position for detecting the magnetic field associated with the position of the piston and generating an output signal determined by the piston position.

An injection molding apparatus (5) comprising an injection molding machine (IMM), a heated manifold (60) that receives injection fluid (9) and distributes the injection fluid through a fluid distribution channel (120), a mold (70) having a cavity (80) and one or more valves (50) having a valve pin (100) the one or more valves (50) being comprised of: an electrically driven actuator (200), a controller including an algorithm that controllably limits rotation of a shaft (12) or output rotation device (16, 430, 500) during the course of an entire injection cycle to selectable angular positions that create a moment arm that extends between selected a selected minimum moment arm and a selected maximum moment arm, the selectable angular positions being between 70 degrees above and 70 degrees below an angular position that corresponds to the selected maximum moment arm.

An injection molding apparatus including: a valve pin driven by an actuator, the valve pin extending axially through at least a portion of the channel length of the fluid flow channel, the fluid flow channel including a throat, downstream flow of the injection fluid being restricted by a bulb portion of the pin, the valve pin having an intermediate position where downstream flow of injection fluid is unrestricted and a fully downstream position where downstream flow of injection fluid is stopped at both the gate and at the throat, wherein the actuator is driven by a valve assembly comprised of a spool mechanically driven by first and second actuators or solenoids that each separately engage the spool at opposing axial ends to effect movement of the spool back and forth between the drive fluid flow positions.

An apparatus and method for actuating a valve stem between an open position and a closed position and for taking one or more valve gated nozzle out of service is disclosed. The hot runner includes a valve gated nozzle having a valve stem, the valve stem coupled to a piston that is held against an actuation plate via pressurized air. When a valve stem becomes stuck in a gate of the hot runner, the actuation plate can continue to move while the piston remains stationary. The valve stem may also be protected from an over force situation such as if the valve stem encounters an obstruction as the actuation plate is moving toward the closed position.

A method and apparatus for injection molding of plastic material into a cavity of a mold by means of at least one injector whose opening and closing occurs through an electronic control unit and wherein an undesired opening of the mold caused by any overpressure of the plastic material injected into the cavity of the mold is detected by means of transducers and corrected by means of the electronic control unit. The transducers are arranged outside the cavity of the mold.

Method and apparatus for injection moulding of plastic materials using at least one nozzle with an obturator including a stem having a through hole and displaceable transversely with respect to the nozzle between a closing position and an opening position wherein the through hole opens communication between the nozzle and the flow path towards the mould. When the obturator is arranged in the closing position following injection, the through hole remains in communication with the cavity of the mould and a residual core made of plastic material present in the through hole remains joined to a residual core made of plastic material in the flow path and it is removed together with it.

A valve-gating injection molding apparatus is disclosed. The valve gating injection molding apparatus has a manifold with a manifold channel extending therethrough and a nozzle coupled to the manifold and having a nozzle channel in fluid communication with the manifold channel A valve pin extends across the manifold and through the nozzle channel. An actuator coupled to the valve pin for translating the valve pin between open and closed positions. A plurality of mold plates forming an enclosure to house the manifold, the plurality of mold plates defining an egress passageway through which the valve pin extends and a diversion chute that intersects the egress passageway at an angle.

A valve-gating injection molding apparatus is disclosed. The valve gating injection molding apparatus has a manifold with a manifold channel extending therethrough and a nozzle coupled to the manifold and having a nozzle channel in fluid communication with the manifold channel A valve pin extends across the manifold and through the nozzle channel. An actuator coupled to the valve pin for translating the valve pin between open and closed positions. A plurality of mold plates forming an enclosure to house the manifold, the plurality of mold plates defining an egress passageway through which the valve pin extends and a diversion chute that intersects the egress passageway at an angle.