A clamping unit for a moulding machine with a toggle mechanism, in which a movable moulding platen is movable with respect to a stationary moulding platen and/or can be acted on by a force by the toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism is drivable by at least two drive units, and the at least two drive units are each connected in an articulated manner to at least one movably mounted toggle lever element of the toggle mechanism via at least one bearing point formed as an articulation.

A plastic molding system comprises: dispensing, pre-shaping and shaping cells and a transport subsystem. The dispensing cell has a station for dispensing a dose of plastic feedstock. The pre-shaping and shaping cells each comprise a plurality of stations for shaping the workpiece into a preform shape and into a final shape, respectively. The transport subsystem advances a workpiece along a selected one of a plurality of process paths to form a molded article. Each of the plurality of process paths is defined by a combination of stations of the dispensing cell, the pre-shaping cell and the shaping cell.

A plastic molding system comprises: dispensing, pre-shaping and shaping cells and a transport subsystem. The dispensing cell has a station for dispensing a dose of plastic feedstock. The pre-shaping and shaping cells each comprise a plurality of stations for shaping the workpiece into a preform shape and into a final shape, respectively. The transport subsystem advances a workpiece along a selected one of a plurality of process paths to form a molded article. Each of the plurality of process paths is defined by a combination of stations of the dispensing cell, the pre-shaping cell and the shaping cell.

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 injection molding apparatus comprises a support base and a mold carrier removably mounted to the support base. The mold carrier includes a mounting plate with attachment features for engaging the support base. A mold with two mold plates is slidably mounted to the mounting 5 plate. A clamp is operable to move the plates between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the plates abut one another. In the open position, the plates are spaced apart for removing molded articles.

A mold assembly includes a services block and a cavity plate defining at least a portion of a molding cavity. A quick connection mechanism can connect and disconnect the plate and the services block. The cavity plate may include a base block and a mold cavity block. A mold assembly may include two opposed combinations of such a service block and a cavity plate each mounted to an opposed platen. The base block may include a quick connection device operable connect with and disconnect from a quick connection device on the services block. A services channel in the cavity plate may connect with and disconnect from a service channel in the services block with a quick connection mechanism. A molding system may include a plurality of such cavity plates, each operable to connect with and disconnect from the same services block.

A clamping unit for a moulding machine, including a toggle mechanism. A movable moulding platen is movable with respect to a stationary moulding platen and/or can be acted on by a force of the toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism is drivable by at least two drive units, and the at least two drive units are each connected in an articulated manner to at least one movably mounted toggle lever element of the toggle mechanism via at least one bearing point formed as an articulation.

An injection molding apparatus has a mold clamping device that includes a traction platen disposed below a pressure-receiving platen, a movable platen disposed above the pressure-receiving platen and configured to be moved up and down by a mold opening and closing mechanism, and tie bars extending downward from the movable platen and penetrating the pressure-receiving platen and the traction platen. The mold clamping device is configured to clamp molds disposed between the pressure-receiving platen and the movable platen. Each tie bar has a tooth portion at its lower end that engages with a tooth portion of a half nut connected to an underside of the traction plate. An injection device arranged on the movable platen includes a heating cylinder having a screw for feeding resin material through a nozzle to an upper one of the molds, and a purging cover encloses a space between the lower end portion of the heating cylinder and the movable platen.

A plastic molding system comprises: dispensing, pre-shaping and shaping cells and a transport subsystem. The dispensing cell has a station for dispensing a dose of plastic feedstock. The pre-shaping and shaping cells each comprise a plurality of stations for shaping the workpiece into a preform shape and into a final shape, respectively. The transport subsystem advances a workpiece along a selected one of a plurality of process paths to form a molded article. Each of the plurality of process paths is defined by a combination of stations of the dispensing cell, the pre-shaping cell and the shaping cell.

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.