The invention relates to a device (10) for producing objects from a solidifying molding compound, comprising: a feed region (12) with at least one sprue point (32) for supplying the molding compound, and a mold insert (18), which at least in part bounds a cavity (36) in which the molding compound supplied through the sprue point (32) can be received, wherein the cavity (36) has at least one object molding region (38), which molds the object to be produced, and at least one distribution region (40), which is designed to guide the supplied molding compound to the object is molding region (38). The device further comprises at least one pusher device (44), which is designed in a first position to allow a connection of the object molding region (38) and the distribution region (40), and in a second position to separate the object molding region (38) and the distribution region (40) from one another, wherein the mold insert (18) can be moved along a movement axis (B) relative to the feed region (12), and wherein the pusher device (44) can be actuated according to the relative movement.

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.

A method is disclosed for micro-molding articles. The method comprises melting and pre-pressurizing thermoplastic material to a first level, within a plasticizing barrel. The melt pressure of the thermoplastic material is manipulated to a second level, within a hot runner. The melt pressure of the thermoplastic material is manipulated to an ultra-cavity packing pressure within a valve gate nozzle.

An injection apparatus for injecting molten plastic into a mold of articles made of thermoplastic material, comprising: at least one shutter (3) for opening or closing an injection nozzle (31); at least one cylinder-piston system (104, 204, 304) adapted to move said at least one shutter (3) from an opening position of the injection nozzle to a closing position of said injection nozzle and vice versa; wherein at least one cylinder-piston system (104, 204, 304) comprises a first chamber (142, 242, 342) provided with a first passage (144, 244, 344) for the introduction of fluid into the first chamber (142, 242, 342) to take the shutter (3) to the opening position; and a second passage (149, 249, 349), different from the first passage (144, 244, 344) for the exit of fluid and possible plastic particles from the first chamber (142, 242, 342).

An injection molding device and related method includes a mold plate with at least one pocket having at least one discharge opening to discharge melted plastic from the pocket into at least one mold cavity interconnected to the pocket and a nozzle including a housing, which during operation is interconnected to the pocket. Per discharge opening a needle is arranged displaceable in an axial direction in the housing between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the needle closes the thereto related discharge opening and is thereby preventing melted plastic from flowing from the pocket into the at least one mold cavity. In the open position, the needle releases the discharge opening such that melted plastic flows from the pocket into the at least one mold cavity. Furthermore, a melt channel is discharging into the pocket to supply melted plastic into the pocket.

A system and method for controlling an actuator which actuates an axially displaceable pin valve of an apparatus for injection molding of plastic materials, where the control system includes an electronic control unit of the actuator which adjusts at least one among position, speed and acceleration of the pin valve, and a position sensor which detects a position of a plunger of the actuator and is operatively connected to the electronic control unit. The position sensor indirectly detects the position of the plunger of the actuator.

A method of manufacturing an article using injection molding includes a step of injecting resin from an injection nozzle having a valve pin via a resin flow path in a first mold (metal mold) into a cavity in the first mold, a step of inserting the valve pin into the resin flow path, extracting the valve pin from the resin flow path, starting to increase a distance between the injection nozzle and the first mold after extracting the valve pin, and a third step of, after starting to increase the distance between the injection nozzle and the first mold, injecting resin from the injection nozzle via a resin flow path in a second mold into a cavity in the second mold.

An injection molding apparatus (10) comprising: a heatable manifold (40) arranged to receive molten injection fluid (18); one or more nozzles (20, 22, 24); a flow channel (19, 42, 44, 46) arranged to deliver the molten injection fluid to a gate (32, 34, 36) of a mold cavity (30); an electrical drive (940d, 941d, 942d) adapted to receive and distribute electrical energy in controllably varied amounts during an injection cycle; a valve pin (1040, 1041, 1042); an actuator (940, 941, 942) coupled to the valve pin, the actuator having: a driver (940dr, 941dr, 942dr), arranged to receive the controllably varied electrical energy from the electrical drive, an actuator housing (940h, 941h, 942h); a source of heat absorptive fluid (260, 125f); and at least one channel (25, 33, 125) formed in or proximate one or the other or both of the actuator housing (940h, 941h, 942h) and the drive mount (940ds, 941ds) wherein the heat absorptive fluid absorbs heat from one or the other or both of the actuator housing and the drive mount.

A system is described comprising an actuator with a piston linearly movable and a needle shutter connected to the piston for regulating the injection flow of molten material from a nozzle into a mold. By a supply circuit pressurized fluid is brought to the piston to move it back and forth. A solenoid valve is connected to the supply circuit and configured so that in resting condition it leaves open a fluid drainage path for bringing the shutter to a closing position.

A hot runner process controller configured to monitor the status and operation of a hot runner system to autonomously generate information to improve the quality of injection molding process of a hot runner system having an inlet nozzle, one or more manifolds and one or more nozzles with actuator or without actuator, and one or more heating elements, the hot runner process controller is self-operating, and independent from the injection molding machine, includes: one or more sensors located on, in or at the hot runner system to detect the status and/or the operation of the hot runner system, and a processing unit and a memory. The processing unit is connected to the one or more sensors, wherein the memory stores data and program codes. The processing unit is configured to load and execute the program code to compare sensor information with the stored data and to determine if the hot runner system is in an operable status, and in case the hot runner system is in an operable status, configured to generate status information to activate the one or more heating elements and/or the one or more actuators enabling a production operation of the injection molding machine. In case the hot runner system is not in an operable status, configured to generate status information to deactivate the one or more heating elements and/or close or deactivate the one or more actuators disabling a production operation of the injection molding machine.