A nozzle retention arrangement is provided for an injection molding manifold system, such as a hot runner manifold system. The nozzle retention arrangement couples an injection nozzle to a distribution manifold in a manner that locates the nozzle in its final operating position and applies an initial assembly load to retain the nozzle in position on the manifold to facilitate installation of a manifold system into a manifold plate. The nozzle retention arrangement may provide a compliant load application feature to limit sealing surface pressure between the nozzle and the manifold to prevent surface damage between the components, while also accommodating thermal expansion of the heated components during operation of the system. The nozzle retention arrangement may also provide a load control feature to prevent the machining quality of the nozzle bore in the manifold plate from determining the sealing load between the nozzle and the manifold.

The present application describes injection molding machines and, more particularly, a removable nozzle tip and nozzle assembly for use with an injection molding machine and an engagement tool and methods for replacing a nozzle tip. In an aspect, an injection molding machine may include a nozzle. The nozzle may include a nozzle housing and a nozzle tip threadably attached to the nozzle housing. At least a portion of an exterior wall of the nozzle housing and at least a portion of an exterior wall of the nozzle tip may align to provide a cylindrical surface. The injection molding machine may further include a tubular heater enclosing at least a portion of the continuous cylindrical surface. The nozzle tip does not include a torque feature in any location that is downstream of the tubular heater and upstream of a mold gate of the nozzle.

The invention relates to an injection molding tool having a nozzle plate which comprises a first through-hole in an axial direction, in which first through-hole an injection molding nozzle is arranged extending in the axial direction. The injection molding tool further includes a cavity plate which comprises at least one cavity half into which a second through-hole, which is arranged in the cavity plate and coaxially with respect to the first through-hole, opens. A nozzle bushing, which encloses the injection molding nozzle at least in certain regions in the assembled state, is arranged in the second through-hole. The nozzle bushing is operatively connected to the cavity plate and/or nozzle plate by way of an operative connection means, wherein the nozzle bushing and the operative connection means are operatively connected to one another at least in the axial direction.

A nozzle retention arrangement is provided for an injection molding manifold system, such as a hot runner manifold system. The nozzle retention arrangement couples an injection nozzle to a distribution manifold in a manner that locates the nozzle in its final operating position and applies an initial assembly load to retain the nozzle in position on the manifold to facilitate installation of a manifold system into a manifold plate. The nozzle retention arrangement may provide a compliant load application feature to limit sealing surface pressure between the nozzle and the manifold to prevent surface damage between the components, while also accommodating thermal expansion of the heated components during operation of the system. The nozzle retention arrangement may also provide a load control feature to prevent the machining quality of the nozzle bore in the manifold plate from determining the sealing load between the nozzle and the manifold.

An injector body for injection molding is described mountable on a plate, wherein such injector body is formed of a first portion juxtaposed with a second portion, the first portion being elongated along an axis and provided internally with a first longitudinal channel to carry molten material to a nozzle located at the end of the first channel in correspondence of one end of the first portion, and the second portion being a radial widening of the first portion about said axis and internally provided with a second channel that crosses the thickness of the second portion and joins the first channel extending obliquely to said axis.

The present application describes injection molding machines and, more particularly, a removable nozzle tip and nozzle assembly for use with an injection molding machine and an engagement tool and methods for replacing a nozzle tip. In an aspect, an injection molding machine may include a nozzle. The nozzle may include a nozzle housing and a nozzle tip threadably attached to the nozzle housing. At least a portion of an exterior wall of the nozzle housing and at least a portion of an exterior wall of the nozzle tip may align to provide a cylindrical surface. The injection molding machine may further include a tubular heater enclosing at least a portion of the continuous cylindrical surface. The nozzle tip does not include a torque feature in any location that is downstream of the tubular heater and upstream of a mold gate of the nozzle.

A drop-in hot runner system includes a first runner component having a first channel aperture extending into a first runner component sliding surface, and a second runner component having a second channel aperture extending into a second runner component sliding surface. A depressible protrusion is associated with the first runner component, and a receiver is associated with the second runner component. The depressible protrusion and the receiver are positioned such that when the first runner component and the second runner component are coupled together along the first and second runner component sliding surfaces the depressible protrusion is received in the receiver, and the first and second channel apertures are misaligned.