An injection device (2) of an injection molding machine (1) includes a heating cylinder (18) having a gas introduction port (30) and a screw (19), and a gas supply device (5) is connected to the gas introduction port (30). The gas supply device (5) includes a gas supply source (33) and a gas pressure regulating unit (34). The gas pressure regulating unit (34) regulates a gas pressure and supplies the gas when a gas from the gas supply source (33) is introduced into the gas introduction port (30). Specifically, the gas pressure is caused to change in a molding cycle and is increased to a high pressure in a metering process (61). That is, a pressure increasing period (71) in which the gas pressure increases at least partially overlaps with the metering process (61).

Tooling and components of an injection-molding system may be used to mold a foam article. The tooling and components may include features that control parameters of the injection-molding and foaming process, such as temperature, pressure, shot size, shot placement, and the like.

Tooling and components of an injection-molding system may be used to mold a foam article. The tooling and components may include features that control parameters of the injection-molding and foaming process, such as temperature, pressure, shot size, shot placement, and the like.

A system including an injector, a press, and a robotic conveyance is used to form a physically foamed article of footwear component from a single-phase solution of a polymeric composition and a supercritical fluid. The parameters and features of the system are configured for the formation of the footwear component in an automated manner with enhanced throughput by the system.

A method of manufacturing building panels includes assembling a frame of a building panel. The frame defines at least one cavity and at least one injection aperture in fluid communication with the at least one cavity. The method also includes positioning the frame on one of a base and a shelf of a multi-panel consolidation device having a plurality of shelves, with the shelves being in an expanded configuration, and at least substantially enclosing the at least one cavity. The method also includes forcing the shelves of the multi-panel consolidation device into a collapsed configuration, and injecting an expandable polymer through the at least one injection aperture into the at least one cavity. The method further includes forcing the shelves into an expanded configuration after a predetermined period of time selected to permit the expandable polymer to form a foam bonded to the frame.

A method of manufacturing a sole structure includes melting a first material in a first plasticization zone of a first injection line and melting a second material in a second plasticization zone of a second injection line. A first blowing agent is injected into the first material within a first mixing zone of the first injection line. The first blowing agent is a supercritical fluid within the first mixing zone. The first material and the second material are co-injected into a mold to form the sole structure. The first material is injected from a first injection chamber and the second material is injected from a second injection chamber. The first blowing agent nucleates within the mold to expand and foam the first material within the mold.

A foam article, such as a cushioning element for an article of footwear, apparel or sporting equipment is provided that comprises a foam component, such as a midsole, having a number of beneficial physical characteristics. The cushioning element is a low-density foamed component with a surface skin that encases the remaining foam volume. The cushioning element has a number of foam volumes, arranged to achieve a more consistent foam component. Additionally, the cushioning element includes a series of concentric ridges extending radially outwardly from injection gate vestige locations, and a number of striation bands near the perimeter of the cushioning element. The location of the gate vestiges can be beneficially arranged to produce intersecting flow boundaries that are located away from key strain areas of the cushioning element. The cushioning element is more environmentally-friendly, requiring less energy to produce while still providing acceptable energy return and low density.

In order to provide a filling apparatus which is capable of advantageously delivering a foamable material having a necessary amount into a closed cross section of a vehicle body, in an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a filling apparatus for filling a closed cross section of a vehicle body with a foamable material is provided, wherein the foamable material is a foamable two-liquid polyurethane material, wherein the filling apparatus comprises a delivering part for delivering the foamable material into the closed cross section of the vehicle body, and wherein the filling apparatus further comprises an input part into which a delivery command value and correction values to set a real delivery amount are input.

Non-time dependent measured variables are used to effectively determine an optimal hold profile for an expanding crosslinking polymer part in a mold cavity. A system and/or approach may first inject molten expanding crosslinking polymer into a mold cavity, then measure at least one non-time dependent variable during an injection molding cycle. Next, the system and/or method commences a hold profile for the part, and upon completing the hold profile, the part is ejected from the mold cavity.

Non-time dependent measured variables are used to effectively determine an optimal hold profile for an expanding crosslinking polymer part in a mold cavity. A system and/or approach may first inject molten expanding crosslinking polymer into a mold cavity, then measure at least one non-time dependent variable during an injection molding cycle. Next, the system and/or method commences a hold profile for the part, and upon completing the hold profile, the part is ejected from the mold cavity, whereupon a cure profile is commenced.