A remote controller can be provided on any apparatus that employs feedback control from a native controller to add functionality to the apparatus where the native controller is not capable of providing such functionality independently.

A method and apparatus for producing hollow articles made of injection moulded plastic material by a mould having a die within which there is inserted a core, and at least one injector including a pin valve displaceable between a closing position and an opening position for injecting the pressurized plastic material into a space comprised between the die and the core. During the injection, any flexural deflection of the core is detected and the pin valve of the or of each injector is displaced in a controlled fashion to adjust a pressure and a flow rate of the injected plastic material, so as to reduce or eliminate such deflection of the core.

A method for producing an optical article having a Fresnel microstructure and an injection molding system for producing such an article. The method includes heating and cooling a mold and applying a pressure to a thermoplastic material during injection molding of the optical article to facilitate formation of the Fresnel microstructure.

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure are directed to external sensor kits that may be included in new injection molds or retrofitted into existing injection molds in order to approximate conditions within a mold, such as pressure or the location of a melt flow front. Such kits are designed to amplify meaningful measurements obtained by the external sensor kit so that noise measurements do not prevent the approximation of conditions within a mold. In some embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, an external sensor kit includes a strain gauge sensor, a coupon, a support bracket, and a hammer. The strain gauge sensor is placed on a surface of the coupon and measures the strain in the coupon.

There is provided a mold stack (100). The mold stack (100) comprises a core insert assembly (102), the core insert assembly (102) for defining an inner portion of a molded article to be molded. The core insert assembly (102) includes a sensor assembly (120) configured to measure the in-mold pressure using entire active surface of the core insert assembly (102).

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure are directed to external sensor kits that may be included in new injection molds or retrofitted into existing injection molds in order to approximate conditions within a mold, such as pressure or the location of a melt flow front. Such kits are designed to amplify meaningful measurements obtained by the external sensor kit so that noise measurements do not prevent the approximation of conditions within a mold. In some embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, an external sensor kit includes a strain gauge sensor, a coupon, a support bracket, and a hammer. The strain gauge sensor is placed on a surface of the coupon and measures the strain in the coupon.

A device for producing components using an injection molding method includes at least one cavity (1a) for forming a respective product, at least one injection nozzle (3a) through which material is injected into the cavity (1a), a mold release (4), a distribution channel (10), a media supply (11), an exhaust air channel or return channel (12), at least one shut-off needle (6a). The shut-off needle is connected to a piston in a force-fitting or form-fitting manner and is inserted into the injection nozzle (3a). At least one valve (7a) for opening the needle (6a) and at least one valve (8a) for closing the needle (6a) are provided, such that the valve (7a) and the valve (8a) are arranged directly adjacent to the shut-off needle (6a). A control unit for the valve (7a) and the valve (8a) is also provided.

A method and apparatus for producing hollow articles made of injection moulded plastic material by a mould having a die within which there is inserted a core, and at least one injector including a pin valve displaceable between a closing position and an opening position for injecting the pressurized plastic material into a space comprised between the die and the core. During the injection, any flexural deflection of the core is detected and the pin valve of the or of each injector is displaced in a controlled fashion to adjust a pressure and a flow rate of the injected plastic material, so as to reduce or eliminate such deflection of the core.

A mould tool (100) is provided which has a multipart mould layer assembly (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) which may either be formed from a carrier (202; 302; 402; 502) and an insert (206; 306; 406; 506) defining a mould profile, or a mould face component (602; 702) having a plurality of stackable blocks (630, 632, 634) which can be assembled to form a mould layer.

A process is provided for making a walled structure using an injection molding apparatus. The apparatus has a molding space formed between a mold cavity and an inner core disposed within the mold cavity. The molding space defines a shape of the structure. The process includes injecting molding material into the molding space, moving or retaining a portion of a movable impression member protruding from the inner core within a portion of the molding space so as to create a recess within an inner wall of the structure, and retracting the impression member into the inner core such that the impression member is cleared from the molding space. Precision control in forming the impression member is provided by a closed-loop configuration using a sensor that measures a molding space parameter (e.g., temperature), optionally in combination with a servo drive for activating the impression member.