The invention relates to a device for handling and/or transporting workpieces (5), in particular for removal of injection-molded items from an injection-molding machine, wherein a handling robot (4) having a programmable control and regulating unit (10) is provided that comprises a gripper (6) having at least one suction nozzle (7) for grasping of the workpiece (5) or fixating it by suction. In the gripper (6) of the handling robot (4) a distance-measuring device (8) for detection of the distance (a.sub.1+a.sub.2) from the gripper (6) to a reference point or a reference surface (9), for example to the mold tool half (2), which is preferably movable, with the workpiece (5), is provided. The measured value of the distance-measuring device (8) is fed into the control and regulation unit (10). The distance-measuring device (8) can be a light-transit time measuring device, in particular a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor.

In an injection molding machine in which intermediate molds are disposed movably in a mold opening/closing direction between a movable platen attached with a movable mold and a stationary platen attached with a stationary mold, setting is simplified when individually setting a setting value related to molding using the movable mold and the intermediate mold and a setting value related to molding using the stationary mold and the intermediate mold. In a method for controlling an injection molding machine 11 in which intermediate molds 18 are disposed movably in a mold opening/closing direction between a movable platen 15 attached with a movable mold 14 and a stationary platen 17 attached with a stationary mold 16, single setting enables setting of both of a setting value related to molding using the movable mold 14 and the intermediate mold 18 and a setting value related to molding using the stationary mold 16 and the intermediate mold 18.

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 molding machine includes; a fixed platen capable of having a fixed mold attached thereto; a moving platen capable of having a moving mold attached thereto; a mold clamping mechanism clamping the moving mold and the fixed mold with each other by moving the moving mold; a driving unit operating the mold clamping mechanism; and a control unit controlling the driving unit, wherein the control unit compensates an operation loss of the driving unit occurring from an operation start of the driving unit to an operation start of the moving mold to set the moving mold at a desired position.

An open-face molding apparatus for use in open-face injection molding operations to more accurately control the thickness of coatings applied to workpiece surfaces of slightly varying contour profiles. A conformable tool face is carried by a rigid tool backing and a perimeter seal releasably seals the conformable tool face around its perimeter to the workpiece surface. The conformable tool face and perimeter seal define a mold cavity together with the workpiece surface. An array of actuators are connected between the rigid tool backing and the conformable tool face to provide a desired tool face contour and desired spacings between the conformable tool face and a workpiece surface by deflecting the conformable tool face relative to the rigid tool backing.