INJECTION MOLDING METHOD, USE OF A SENSOR, AND INJECTION MOLDING MACHINE

Abstract

An injection-molding method is provided in which in a first injection-molding step at least one first material component (17) is injected into a mold cavity (4) of an injection mold (3). The first injection-molding step is terminated when a condition pertaining to a first material volume that has been injected in the first injection-molding step has been met. This condition can be, for example, a minimum filling level which is caused in the mold cavity (4) by a material volume from the at least one first material component (17) that in the first injection-molding step has been injected into the mold cavity (4). When the minimum filling level can be detected or confirmed, for example with the aid of a sensor (10), the first injection-molding step is terminated and a second injection-molding step can optionally be started.

Claims

1. An injection-molding method for producing injection-molded parts (2), the method comprising: in a first injection-molding step, injecting at least one first material component (17) into a mold cavity (4) of an injection mold (3); terminating the first injection-molding step when a condition pertaining to a first material volume that has been injected in the first injection-molding step has been met; and in a second injection-molding step, injecting a second material volume from at least one further material component (18) into the mold cavity (4).

2. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least indirectly monitoring at least one of an expansion, an increase, or a filling level of the first material volume in the mold cavity (4) during the first injection-molding step using a sensor (10), and determining that the condition is met when at least one of a minimum expansion, a minimum increase, or a minimum filling level is detected, or when at least one of a minimum expansion, a minimum increase, or a minimum filling level is detected and a delay period has elapsed.

3. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 2, wherein a material-free residual volume that remains in the mold cavity (4) after the first injection-molding step, is filled up with the second material volume in the second injection-molding step, or the second injection-molding step starts before or when the condition is met.

4. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the material volume that is injected into the mold cavity (4) in the first injection-molding step is at least one of at least indirectly detected, registered, determined, or monitored by a sensor (10), and the sensor (10) is disposed so as to be spaced apart from a nozzle (5) for the first injection-molding step, or wherein the condition is met when the sensor (10) emits a corresponding signal based on the first material volume, or when the sensor (10) emits a corresponding signal based on the first material volume and additionally a predefined delay period has elapsed.

5. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a temperature within the at least one mold cavity (4) is registered by a temperature sensor (10), and the condition is met when a registered temperature reaches or exceeds a temperature threshold value, or when the registered temperature within the at least one mold cavity reaches or exceeds the temperature threshold value and a defined delay period after reaching or exceeding the temperature threshold value has elapsed.

6. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of the temperature threshold value or the delay period is predefined individually for each said mold cavity (4) of the injection mold (3) to be filled.

7. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of: the temperature threshold value lies between a temperature of the injection mold (3) and a processing temperature of at least one of the first or the further material component (17, 18); the temperature threshold value lies between 5 and 200 Kelvin above an initial temperature which for an empty mold cavity (4) is measurable by the temperature sensor (10); or the temperature threshold value is between 40 C. and 180 C., in particular 80 C.

8. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the delay period is between 0 and less than or equal to 2 seconds.

9. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of: the second material volume is injected into the first material volume that is situated in the mold cavity (4); or the second injection-molding step generates a core (19) from the second material volume within the injected first material volume, with the core (19) predominantly surrounded in a fully circumferential manner by the first material volume.

10. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first material volume within the mold cavity (4) is at least partially displaced by the second material volume that is injected in the second injection-molding step at least in one of an end region or a peripheral region (21) of the mold cavity (4).

11. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first material volume (17) is injected into the mold cavity (4) by a nozzle (5) disposed on an imaginary line between a nozzle (6) for the second material volume and the sensor (10), or the second material volume is injected into the mold cavity (4) by a nozzle (6) which is disposed on an imaginary line between a nozzle (5) for the first material volume and the sensor (10).

12. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the first material volume or the second material volume is injected into the at least one mold cavity (4) by way of at least one nozzle (5, 6) which when carrying out the method is disposed below the sensor (10) in a direction of gravity.

13. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the first and second material components (17, 18) are injected into the same at least one mold cavity (4) of the injection mold (2) without opening the injection mold.

14. The injection-molding method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first injection-molding step at least one of PET, PP, or COP is used as the material for the first material component (17), and in the second injection-molding step at least one of another material than that in the first injection-molding step or a recyclate of the material of the first material component (17) is used as the material for the at least one further material component (18).

15. An injection mold, comprising a mold (3) and a sensor (10) adapted for at least one of starting or terminating an injection-molding step.

16. An injection-molding machine (1) for producing injection-molded parts (2), configured for carrying out the injection-molding method as claimed in claim 1.

17. The injection-molding machine (1) of claim 16, further comprising an injection mold (3) having at least one mold cavity (4), at least one nozzle (5, 6) assigned to the mold cavity (4), and a heater for the injection mold.

18. The injection-molding machine (1) as claimed in claim 17, further comprising at least one sensor (10), a control unit (12), and a sensor connection (11) that connect the at least one sensor (10) to the control unit (12), the at least one sensor (10) is configured for at least one of at least indirectly detecting, registering, determining, or measuring a material volume injected in the at least one mold cavity (4) of the injection mold, within the mold cavity (4).

19. The injection-molding machine (1) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the control unit (12) is configured for at least one of opening or closing the at least one nozzle (5, 6) that is assigned to the mold cavity (4) as a function of a sensor signal that is emitted by the at least one sensor (10).

20. The injection-molding machine (1) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the at least one sensor (10) is disposed at a defined spacing from the at least one nozzle (5, 6) of the mold cavity (4), or the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors, and each said mold cavity (4) of the injection mold (3) is in each case assigned one of the plurality of sensors (10).

21. The injection-molding machine (1) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the at least one sensor (10) is a temperature sensor.

22. The injection-molding machine (1) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the at least one sensor (10) has a measuring probe (13) which at least partially is disposed in or on the mold cavity (4) assigned thereto, and the measuring probe (13) is disposed so as to be flush in a wall of the mold cavity or protrudes beyond the wall (14) of the mold cavity (4) into the mold cavity (4) up to 1 mm.

23. The injection-molding machine (1) as claimed in claim 18, wherein each said nozzle (5, 6) of the injection-molding machine (1) is assigned an actuator (14) for at least one of opening or closing the nozzle (5, 6), and the actuator (14) is connected to the control unit (12) by a control connection (15).

24. The injection-molding machine (1) as claimed in claim 23, wherein the at least one nozzle (5, 6) of the at least one mold cavity (4) in a use position of the injection-molding machine (1) is disposed below the sensor (10) in a direction of gravity.

25. The injection-molding machine (1) as claimed in claim 23, wherein the at least one nozzle comprises a plurality of nozzles, and each said mold cavity (4) is in each case assigned two of the nozzles (5, 6) which in a use position of the injection-molding machine (1) are disposed mutually offset in a direction of gravity.

26. The injection-molding machine (1) as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a duct system (16) for the feeding of at least the first and second material components, said duct system (16) opening via the at least one nozzle (5, 6) into the at least one mold cavity (4).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The invention will now be described in more detail with respect to an exemplary embodiment, but is not limited to said exemplary embodiment. Further exemplary embodiments are derived by combining the features of individual or a plurality of claims with one another and/or by combining individual or a plurality of features of the exemplary embodiment. In the figures, in part in a very schematic illustration:

[0049] FIG. 1: shows a very schematic side view of an injection-molding machine having an injection mold which comprises two mold halves and in which a plurality of mold cavities are configured, as well as having a control unit on account of which the injection-molding machine is specified for carrying out the injection-molding method that has been described in detail and is claimed in the claims;

[0050] FIG. 2: shows a sectional side view of the injection mold illustrated in FIG. 1, after the termination of the first injection-molding step;

[0051] FIG. 3: shows the detail marked by the circle K in FIG. 2, in an enlarged illustration; and

[0052] FIG. 4: shows the injection mold illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, at the end of the second injection-molding step.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIG. 1 shows an injection-molding machine which as an entity is identified by the reference sign 1. The injection-molding machine 1 is used for producing injection-molded parts 2. The injection-molded parts 2 which can be produced on the injection-molding machine 1 that is illustrated at least in fragments in the figures are brush bodies 2, specifically toothbrush bodies.

[0054] The injection-molding machine 1 has an injection mold 3 in which a total of eight mold cavities 4 are configured. Each mold cavity 4 is in each case assigned two nozzles 5 and 6 by way of which at least two material components 17 and 18 can be injected into the mold cavities 4 in two injection-molding steps, so as to injection-mold a toothbrush body 2 in said mold cavity 4.

[0055] Each of the mold cavities 4 is composed of two molding cavities 7 of which one is configured in a nozzle-side mold half 8 and a second is configured in an ejector-side mold half 9.

[0056] The nozzles 5 and 6 of the injection-molding machine 1 are in each case configured as hot runner nozzles. The injection-molding machine 1 has a control unit 12 and in each case one sensor 10 for each mold cavity 4. Each sensor 10 is connected to the control unit 12 of the injection-molding machine 1 by way of a sensor connection 11. Each of the sensors 10 is specified for at least indirectly detecting, registering, determining and/or measuring a material volume that is injected into the mold cavity 4 of the injection mold 3 that is assigned to said sensor 10. On account thereof, an expansion and/or a filling level of the material volume that has been injected into the respective mold cavity 4 in the first injection-molding step can be at least indirectly detected and/or determined with the aid of the sensors 10.

[0057] The control unit 12 in turn is specified for opening and/or else closing the nozzles 5, 6 assigned to the mold cavities 4 as a function of sensor signals which are emitted by the sensors 10. The sensors 10 within sensor receptacles 10a are disposed at a defined spacing from the nozzles 5, 6. The sensor receptacles 10a in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures are configured in the nozzle-side mold half 8.

[0058] In the case of the exemplary embodiment of the injection-molding machine 1 illustrated in the figures the sensors 10 are temperature sensors. Each of the sensors 10 has a measuring probe 13 which is at least partially disposed in or on the mold cavity 4 assigned to said sensor 10. According to the sectional illustrations of the injection mold 3, the measuring probes 13 are disposed in a wall 14 of the mold cavity 4 thereof in such a manner that said measuring probes 13 protrude beyond the wall 14 of the mold cavity into the mold cavity 4. In the case of the exemplary embodiment of the injection mold 3 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 the measuring probes 13 protrude into the mold cavity 4 assigned thereto by approximately 1 millimeter.

[0059] Each nozzle 5, 6 of the injection-molding machine 1 is in each case moreover assigned one actuator 14. Each of the actuators 14 serves for opening and/or closing the nozzle 5, 6 assigned thereto. Each actuator 14, by way of a control connection 15, is connected to the control unit 12 of the injection-molding machine 1. The two nozzles 5, 6, by way of which the at least two material components are injected into the mold cavity 4 which is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, in the use position of the injection-molding machine 1 in the direction of gravity are disposed below the sensor 10.

[0060] In particular FIGS. 2 and 4 highlight that the two nozzles 5 and 6 in the use position of the injection-molding machine 1 are disposed so as to be mutually offset in the direction of gravity. The nozzle 6 by way of which the second material component 18 is injected into the mold cavity 4 in a second injection-molding step after the first material component 17 is disposed below the nozzle 5 by way of which the first material component 17 is injected in the first injection-molding step.

[0061] In order for the two material components 17 and 18 to be able to be injected into one and the same mold cavity 4 of the injection mold 3, the injection-molding machine 1 is equipped with a corresponding duct system 16 for feeding the two material components 17 and 18. Said duct system 16 by way of the nozzles 5 and 6 opens into the mold cavities 4 of the injection mold 3. The duct system 16 can in particular be a so-called hot runner duct system.

[0062] The injection-molding method described hereunder for producing injection-molded parts 2, here specifically for producing brush bodies 2, can be carried out on the injection-molding machine 1 described above.

[0063] It is provided herein that in a first injection-molding step at least one first material component 17 is injected into the mold cavities 4 of the injection mold 3. The material volume that is injected in the first injection-molding step herein is at least indirectly monitored. The first injection-molding step is terminated when a condition pertaining to the first material volume that has been injected in the first injection-molding step has been met. In a second injection-molding step a second material volume from at least one further material component 18 can then be injected into the same mold cavities 4.

[0064] In the case of one embodiment of the method the second injection-molding step is started only when the aforementioned condition is met. The second injection-molding step can also be started in a delayed manner, after a defined delay period. A wall thickness of the first material component 17 around the second material component 18 which can form a core 19 of the injection-molded part 2 can thus be determined or predefined. A comparatively long delay period results in a comparatively long cooling time and can result in a greater wall thickness of the first material component 17 around the core 19. In principle, however, it is also conceivable for the second injection-molding step to be started already before the condition is met. Meeting the aforementioned condition thus represents at least one criterion for terminating the first injection-molding step.

[0065] The material volume that is injected into the respective mold cavity 4 in the first injection-molding step can be at least indirectly detected, registered, determined and/or monitored by way of the sensor 10 already mentioned above. The aforementioned condition, when using a sensor 10 of this type, can be met when the sensor 10 emits a corresponding signal which can be triggered by the material volume that has been injected into the mold cavity 4 in the first injection-molding step.

[0066] The condition can in particular be met when a sensor signal that is emitted by the sensor 10 corresponds to a threshold signal or exceeds such a threshold signal. The condition can also be met only when a measured value registered by the sensor 10 corresponds to a threshold value or exceeds such a threshold value. The control unit 12 already mentioned can be specified or programmed in a corresponding manner.

[0067] In the case of the injection-molding machine 1 illustrated in the figures a temperature within the mold cavities 4 of the injection mold 3 can be registered and monitored by the sensors 10 of said injection-molding machine 1. This is because the sensor 10 in the present exemplary embodiment of the injection-molding machine 1 is configured as a temperature sensor 10. The condition for terminating the first injection-molding step herein is met when the temperature registered by the sensor 10 reaches or exceeds a defined temperature threshold value and moreover a defined delay period after reaching or exceeding the temperature threshold value has elapsed. The monitoring of the condition and the triggering or terminating of the injection-molding steps can be performed with the aid of the control unit 12 of the injection-molding machine 1. The temperature increase required for terminating the first injection-molding step is then registered by the sensors 10 when the material volume that is injected into the respective mold cavity 4 in the first injection-molding step has reached the filling level illustrated in FIG. 2, or the extent illustrated therein, respectively.

[0068] An expansion, an increase and/or a filling level of the first material volume in the mold cavities 4 during the first injection-molding step can thus be at least indirectly monitored with the aid of the sensors 10. The aforementioned condition in one operating mode of the injection-molding machine 1 is met when a minimum expansion, a minimum increase and/or a minimum filling level of the material volume that has been injected in the first injection-molding step is detected within the mold cavities 4 and additionally a delay period has elapsed. The extent resulting therefrom, or the filling level resulting therefrom, respectively, which the first material volume herein occupies within the mold cavity 4 is illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0069] On account of the control unit 12 of the injection-molding machine 1, the latter is specified for predefining individually a temperature threshold value and/or a delay period for each mold cavity 4 of the injection mold 3 of said injection-molding machine 1 to be filled. The temperature threshold value can lie between 5 and 200 Kelvin above an initial temperature which in the case of an empty mold cavity 4, thus in the case of a non-filled injection mold 3, is measurable by the sensor 10. The temperature threshold value can thus be between, for example, 40 C. and 180 C., in particular 80 C. However, it is preferable for the temperature threshold value to lie between a temperature of the injection mold 3 and the processing temperature of the first and/or the second material component 17, 18. In particular when the injection mold 3 is heated, the latter in the use of the injection-molding machine 1 can have a temperature of, for example, 100 C. The processing temperature depends on the choice of material components 17 and 18, and can be above 300 C. Depending on the values predefined by said parameters, the temperature threshold value can then lie between 100 C. and above 300 C.

[0070] The delay period which after reaching or exceeding the temperature threshold value is yet to time out before the first injection-molding step is terminated, can be between 0 and less than/equal to 2 seconds.

[0071] The second material volume according to FIG. 4 is injected directly into the first material volume from the first material component 17 that is already situated in the respective mold cavity 4. A core 19 from the second material volume of the second material component 18 herein is generated within the previously injected material volume in the second injection-molding step. This is performed in such a manner that the core 19 is predominantly, or with the exception of a region of the injection point 20 of said core (19), is surrounded in a fully circumferential manner by the first material volume that is formed from the first material component 17.

[0072] The first material volume herein is at least partially displaced within the mold cavity 4 by the second material volume that is injected in the second injection-molding step. The displacement of the first material volume from the first material component 17 herein is performed in an end region and/or peripheral region 21 of the respective mold cavity 4. The result of this procedure becomes particularly evident by a comparison of the two FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0073] FIG. 2 shows the situation which arises after the termination of the first injection-molding step. It can be seen here that the mold cavity 4 is filled with a first material volume from the first material component 17. This being in such a form that the first material component 17 rises in the mold cavity 4 to the extent that said first material component 17 surrounds the measuring probe 13 of the sensor 10. A temperature increase can already be established by the sensor 10 and the measuring probe 13 thereof during the increase of the material volume from the first material component 17 within the mold cavity 4 during the first injection-molding step. When the first material volume from the first material component 17 surrounds the measuring probe 13 of the sensor 10 as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat of the still hot first material component 17 is transmitted to the measuring probe 13. The sensor 10 can thus register a corresponding temperature increase and emit a corresponding signal to the control unit 12 by way of the sensor connection 11. As soon as the temperature value registered by the sensor 10 exceeds a predefined temperature threshold value, the control unit 12 by way of the control connection 15 emits a corresponding control signal to the actuator 14 in order for the nozzle 5 by way of which the first material component 17 has been injected into the mold cavity 4 to be closed. On account thereof the first injection-molding step is terminated.

[0074] A corresponding control signal by way of a sensor connection 11 is simultaneously transmitted to the actuator 14 which is connected to the nozzle 6 by way of which the second material component 18 is injected into the mold cavity 4. As soon as said actuator 14 receives the corresponding control signal, said actuator 14 opens the nozzle 6 such that the second material component 18 can flow into the mold cavity 4 so as to fill up the as yet unfilled residual volume of the mold cavity.

[0075] The first material volume from the first material component 17 is injected into the mold cavity 4 by way of the nozzle 5. The nozzle 5 lies on an imaginary line between the nozzle 6 for the second material volume, which is injected into the mold cavity 4 in the second injection-molding step, and the sensor 10 that has already been mentioned above.

[0076] FIG. 2 highlights that the complete lower region of the mold cavity 4 is filled with the first component 17 in the first injection-molding step. The first material component 17 and the first material volume formed by the latter herein also make their way in front of an outlet of the nozzle 6 by way of which the second material component 18 is injected into the mold cavity 4 in the second injection-molding step. As has already been explained above, both nozzles 5 and 6, when carrying out the method, in the direction of gravity are disposed below the sensor 10. Both material components 17, 18 are injected into the same mold cavity 4 of the injection mold 3. The first material component 17 can be composed of, for example, PET, PP, and/or COP. Another material than that in the first injection-molding step can be used as the material for the at least one further material component 18 in the second injection-molding step. It is thus possible, for example, for a recyclate of the material of the first material component 17 to be used.

[0077] In the case of the injection-molding machine 1 it is thus provided that at least one sensor 10 on the injection mold 3 of the injection-molding machine is used for starting and/or terminating at least one injection-molding step.

[0078] The invention relates to improvements in the technical field of the production of injection-molded parts 2. To this end, an injection-molding method in which in a first injection-molding step at least the first material component 17 is injected into the mold cavity 4 of the injection mold 3 is proposed. The first injection-molding step is terminated when a condition pertaining to a first material volume that has been injected in the first injection-molding step has been met. Said condition can be, for example, a minimum filling level which is caused in the mold cavity 4 by a material volume from the at least one first material component 17 that in the first injection-molding step has been injected into the mold cavity 4. When the minimum filling level can be detected or confirmed, for example with the aid of a sensor 10, the first injection-molding step can be terminated and a second injection-molding step can optionally be started.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0079] 1 Injection-molding machine [0080] 2 Injection-molded parts/brush bodies/toothbrush bodies [0081] 3 Injection mold [0082] 4 Mold cavity [0083] 5 Nozzle for the first material component [0084] 6 Nozzle for the second material component [0085] 7 Molding cavity [0086] 8 Nozzle-side mold half [0087] 9 Ejector-side mold half [0088] 10 Sensor [0089] 10a Sensor receptacle in 8 [0090] 11 Sensor connection [0091] 12 Control unit [0092] 13 Measuring probe [0093] 14 Actuator [0094] 15 Control connection [0095] 16 Duct system [0096] 17 First material component [0097] 18 Second material component [0098] 19 Core [0099] 20 Injection point [0100] 21 End region/peripheral region of 4