A molding system for a low-pressure light alloy casting plant, extending in height along a main axis, has a mold having a lower half-mold and an upper half-mold. The molding system has a first lower fixed plate on which the lower half-mold is housed, a movable plate on which the upper half-mold is housed, a second upper fixed plate positioned at the top of the movable plate, a movement group for moving the movable plate along the main axis, having an electric drive motor and transmission members operatively connected to the electric drive motor and to the movable plate, a casting ejection group having an electric ejector motor and ejection members movable by the electric ejector motor in an ejection position in which the casting is detached from the upper half-mold, and a command unit controlling operation of the electric drive motor and of the electric ejector motor.

An opening/closing device (14) includes: a stationary platen (20), a movable platen (22) capable of moving toward or away from the stationary platen (20), an opening/closing mechanism (28) having a plurality of toggle links (30, 31, 32) at least one (32) of which is connected to the movable platen (22); a driving device (37) including a cross head (26) connected to at least one (30) of the toggle links and capable of moving the movable platen (22), and a control portion (50). The control portion (50) is configured to control the cross head (26) such that the movable platen (22) moves at fixed speed during fine die-opening operation.

The present invention provides a movable platen support apparatus which, with a linear guide having a minimum necessary load rating, can secure a sufficient traveling life of the linear guide and, in addition, can secure the rigidity of the linear guide which is necessary and sufficient taking into consideration a moment that acts on a movable platen. A movable platen support apparatus 40 according to the present invention includes a guide mechanism which movably engages a rail 41 extending on a frame 11 in the direction of movement of a movable platen 16, to which a movable mold 19 is to be mounted, and which movably supports the movable platen 16. The guide mechanism includes a linear guide 42 composed of blocks 42a to 42d arranged in a line, in which at least one of the blocks 42a to 42d, e.g. the blocks 42b, 42c, has a load rating which differs from the load rating(s) of the other block(s), e.g. the blocks 42a, 42d.

An apparatus for injecting molten metal into a die cast machine is provided. The apparatus includes a molten metal reservoir having a first open end in fluid communication with a die casting mold and a second open end. The molten metal reservoir includes at least one first cooling fluid path positioned about at least a portion of an outer surface of the molten metal reservoir and in thermal contact with the molten metal reservoir. The apparatus further includes a plunger sized to fit within the second open end. The plunger includes a plunger tip and a second cooling fluid path defined within the plunger tip and in thermal contact with the molten metal reservoir. A plurality of thermal actuators are also provided. Each of the plurality of thermal actuators controls a volume of cooling fluid flowing through one first cooling fluid path of the at least one first cooling fluid path or the second cooling fluid path.

A movable platen according to the present invention includes: a mold clamping platen 42 having a projecting portion 62 in a mold closing direction-side surface; a mold mounting platen 44 mounted to the projecting portion 62 of the mold clamping paten 42; and a guide mechanism 50 fixed to the mold clamping paten 42 and supporting the mold mounting platen 44. Only the mold clamping paten 42 is fixed to the guide mechanism 50, while the mold mounting platen 44 is not fixed but placed on platen surface support portions 52.

An assembly includes a first mold component defining a first portion of a mold cavity and a first slot. The first slot corresponds to a first portion of a retention channel. The assembly also includes a second mold component defining a second portion of the mold cavity and a second slot. The second slot corresponds to a second portion of the retention channel. The assembly also includes a connector having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the retention channel. The connector has thermal expansion characteristics that are different from thermal expansion characteristics of the first and second mold components such that when the first and second mold components are in contact and the connector is inserted into the retention channel, heating the assembly causes differential thermal expansion of the connector and the mold components resulting in a clamping force between the mold components.

A safety apparatus includes a safety bar that is capable of moving in a mold clamping direction and a mold opening direction, in conjunction with a moving platen provided with a movable mold, and a latch that contacts the safety bar when a door, which is provided in a cover of an injection molding device, is open, wherein the latch includes a notch in a surface thereof on the mold-opening-direction side.

A movable platen according to the present invention includes: a mold clamping platen 42 having a projecting portion 62 in a mold closing direction-side surface; a mold mounting platen 44 mounted to the projecting portion 62 of the mold clamping platen 42; and a guide mechanism 50 fixed to the mold clamping platen 42 and supporting the mold mounting platen 44. Only the mold clamping platen 42 is fixed to the guide mechanism 50, while the mold mounting platen 44 is not fixed but placed on platen surface support portions 52.

A die casting machine is provided with a movable platen for holding a movable mold, a stationary platen for holding a stationary mold, and tie bars inserted into insertion holes provided in the movable platen and the stationary platen, the movable platen being arranged so as to be capable of advancing to and retreating from the fixed platen along the tie bars. A hollow section is provided in at least one of the movable platen and the stationary platen.

A movable platen according to the present invention includes: a mold clamping platen 42 having a projecting portion 62 in a mold closing direction-side surface; a mold mounting platen 44 mounted to the projecting portion 62 of the mold clamping platen 42; and a guide mechanism 50 fixed to the mold clamping platen 42 and supporting the mold mounting platen 44. Only the mold clamping platen 42 is fixed to the guide mechanism 50, while the mold mounting platen 44 is not fixed but placed on platen surface support portions 52.