Molding-system clamp assembly

• US 20070207235A1
• Filed: 03/06/2006
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Limited
• Inventors: Nogueira, Joaquim
• Granted Patent: US 7,404,920 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 425/450.100
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/6728 the separate element consisting of coupling rods

Abstract

Disclosed is a molding-system clamp assembly of a molding system. The molding-system clamp assembly includes inter-meshable structures configured to, in cooperation with inter-abuttable structures, transfer a force to a mold.

Claims

1. A molding-system clamp assembly, comprising:

inter-meshable structures configured to, in cooperation with inter-abuttable structures, transfer a force to a mold.

2. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the inter-meshable structures are selectively inter-meshable, and inter-abuttable structures are selectively inter-abuttable.

3. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to transfer a mold-clamping force over to the mold, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to transfer a mold-break force over to the mold.

4. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inter-abuttable structures is offset from any one of the inter-meshable structures.

5. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the inter-abuttable structures include:

a ram surface defined by a clamp-ram; and

a piston surface defined by a clamp piston.

6. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the inter-abuttable structures include an interposing body, wherein a clamp ram is abuttable against the interposing body, and wherein a clamp piston is abuttable against the interposing body.

7. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

8. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a platen relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the platen relative to the clamp ram.

9. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram, and wherein the clamp ram is connectable to a clamp column, the clamp ram is connectable to a platen.

10. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing;

a clamp piston housed in the housing; and

a clamp ram;

a clamping-hydraulic column housed in the housing and interactable with the clamping piston; and

a mold-break hydraulic column housed in the housing and interactable with the clamping piston; and

a tie bar attached to the housing, the tie bar slidably mounted relative to a movable platen, and tie bar attached to a stationary platen, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram, wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

11. A molding-system clamp assembly, comprising:

inter-abuttable structures configured to, in cooperation with inter-meshable structures, transfer a force to a mold.

12. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein the inter-meshable structures are selectively inter-meshable, and inter-abuttable structures are selectively inter-abuttable.

13. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to transfer a mold-clamping force over to the mold, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to transfer a mold-break force over to the mold.

14. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one of the inter-abuttable structures is offset from any one of the inter-meshable structures.

15. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein the inter-abuttable structures include:

a ram surface defined by a clamp ram; and

a piston surface defined by a clamp piston.

16. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein the inter-abuttable structures include an interposing body, wherein a clamp ram is abuttable against the interposing, body, and wherein a clamp piston is abuttable against the interposing body.

17. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

18. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a platen relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the platen relative to the clamp ram.

19. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram, and wherein the clamp ram is connectable to a clamp column, the clamp ram is connectable to a platen.

20. The molding-system clamp assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

a housing;

a clamp piston housed in the housing; and

a clamp ram;

a clamping-hydraulic column housed in the housing and interactable with the clamping piston; and

a mold-break hydraulic column housed in the housing and interactable with the clamping piston; and

a tie bar attached to the housing, the tie bar slidably mounted relative to a movable platen, and tie bar attached to a stationary platen, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram, wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

21. A molding system, comprising:

a molding-system clamp assembly, including;

inter-abuttable structures; and

inter-meshable structures, the inter-abuttable structures configured to, in cooperation with the inter-meshable structures, transfer a force to a mold.

22. The molding system of claim 21, wherein the inter-meshable structures are selectively inter-meshable, and inter-abuttable structures are selectively inter-abuttable.

23. The molding system of claim 21, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to transfer a mold-clamping force over to the mold, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to transfer a mold-break force over to the mold.

24. The molding system of claim 21, wherein at least one of the inter-abuttable structures is offset from any one of the inter-meshable structures.

25. The molding system of claim 21, wherein the inter-abuttable structures include:

a ram surface defined by a clamp ram; and

a piston surface defined by a clamp piston.

26. The molding system of claim 21, wherein the inter-abuttable structures include an interposing body, wherein a clamp ram is abuttable against the interposing body, and wherein a clamp piston is abuttable against the interposing body.

27. The molding system of claim 21, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

28. The molding system of claim 21, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a platen relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the platen relative to the clamp ram.

29. The molding system of claim 21, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram, and wherein the clamp ram is connectable to a clamp column, the clamp ram is connectable to a platen.

30. The molding system of claim 21, further comprising:

a housing;

a clamp piston housed in the housing; and

a clamp ram;

a clamping-hydraulic column housed in the housing and interactable with the clamping piston; and

a mold-break hydraulic column housed in the housing and interactable with the clamping piston; and

a tie bar attached to the housing, the tie bar slidably mounted relative to a movable platen, and tie bar attached to a stationary platen, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram, wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

31. A mold of a molding system, the mold comprising:

mold halves configured to cooperate with a molding-system clamp assembly, the molding-system clamp assembly including;

inter-abuttable structures; and

inter-meshable structures, the inter-abuttable structures configured to, in cooperation with the inter-meshable structures, transfer a force to the mold halves.

32. The mold of claim 31, wherein the inter-meshable structures are selectively inter-meshable, and inter-abuttable structures are selectively inter-abuttable.

33. The mold of claim 31, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to transfer a mold-clamping force over to the mold, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to transfer a mold-break force over to the mold.

34. The mold of claim 31, wherein at least one of the inter-abuttable structures is offset from any one of the inter-meshable structures.

35. The mold of claim 31, wherein the inter-abuttable structures include:

a ram surface defined by a clamp ram; and

a piston surface defined by a clamp piston.

36. The mold of claim 31, wherein the inter-abuttable structures include an interposing body, wherein a clamp ram is abuttable against the interposing body, and wherein a clamp piston is abuttable against the interposing body.

37. The mold of claim 31, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

38. The mold of claim 31, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a platen relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the platen relative to the clamp ram.

39. The mold of claim 31, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram, and wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram, and wherein the clamp ram is connectable to a clamp column, the clamp ram is connectable to a platen.

40. The mold of claim 31, further comprising:

a housing;

a clamp piston housed in the housing; and

a clamp ram;

a clamping-hydraulic column housed in the housing and interactable with the clamping piston; and

a mold-break hydraulic column housed in the housing and interactable with the clamping piston; and

a tie bar attached to the housing, the tie bar slidably mounted relative to a movable platen, and tie bar attached to a stationary platen, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram, wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

41. A method of a molding-system clamp assembly, comprising:

configuring inter-abuttable structures; and

configuring inter-meshable structures, the inter-abuttable structures configured to, in cooperation with the inter-meshable structures, transfer a force to a mold.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

configuring the inter-meshable structures to be selectively inter-meshable; and

configuring the inter-abuttable structures to be selectively inter-abuttable.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

configuring the inter-meshable structures to transfer a mold-clamping force over to the mold; and

configuring the inter-abuttable structures to transfer a mold-break force over to the mold.

44. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

configuring at least one of the inter-abuttable structures to be offset from any one of the inter-meshable structures.

45. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

configuring the inter-abuttable structures to include;

a ram surface defined by a clamp ram; and

a piston surface defined by a clamp piston.

46. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

configuring the inter-abuttable structures to include an interposing body;

configuring a clamp ram to be abuttable against the interposing body; and

configuring a clamp piston to be abuttable against the interposing body.

47. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

configuring the inter-meshable structures to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram; and

configuring the inter-abuttable structures to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

48. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

configuring the inter-meshable structures to selectively inter-mesh a platen relative to a clamp ram; and

configuring the inter-abuttable structures to selectively inter-abut the platen relative to the clamp ram.

49. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

configuring the inter-meshable structures to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram; and

configuring the inter-abuttable structures to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram, and wherein the clamp ram is connectable to a clamp column, the clamp ram is connectable to a platen.

50. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

configuring a mold-break hydraulic column to be interactable with a clamping piston, the clamp piston housed in a housing, the mold-break hydraulic column to be housed in the housing;

configuring a clamping-hydraulic column to be interactable with the clamping piston, the clamping-hydraulic column housed in the housing; and

configuring a tie bar to attach to the housing, the tie bar slidably mounted relative to a movable platen, and tie bar attached to a stationary platen, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh the clamp piston relative to a clamp ram, wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

51. An article of manufacture for directing a data processing system to control a molding-system clamp assembly operatively connectable to the data processing system, the article of manufacture comprising:

a data processing system usable medium embodying one or more instructions executable by the data processing system, the one or more instructions including;

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate inter-abuttable structures; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate inter-meshable structures, the inter-abuttable structures configured to, in cooperation with the inter-meshable structures, transfer a force to a mold.

52. The article of manufacture of claim 51, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-meshable structures to be selectively inter-meshable; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to be selectively inter-abuttable.

53. The article of manufacture of claim 51, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-meshable structures to transfer a mold-clamping force over to the mold; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to transfer a mold-break force over to the mold.

54. The article of manufacture of claim 51, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate at least one of the inter-abuttable structures to be offset from any one of the inter-meshable structures.

55. The article of manufacture of claim 51, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures of a ram surface defined by a clamp ram and of a piston surface defined by a clamp piston.

56. The article of manufacture of claim 51, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to include an interposing body;

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate a clamp ram to be abuttable against the interposing body; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate a clamp piston to be abuttable against the interposing body.

57. The article of manufacture of claim 51, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-meshable structures to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

58. The article of manufacture of claim 51, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-meshable structures to selectively inter-mesh a platen relative to a clamp ram; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to selectively inter-abut the platen relative to the clamp ram.

59. The article of manufacture of claim 51, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-meshable structures to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram, and wherein the clamp ram is connectable to a clamp column, the clamp ram is connectable to a platen.

60. The article of manufacture of claim 51, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate a mold-break hydraulic column to be interactable with a clamping piston, the clamp piston housed in a housing, the mold-break hydraulic column to be housed in the housing;

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate a clamping-hydraulic column to be interactable with the clamping piston, the clamping-hydraulic column housed in the housing; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate a tie bar to attach to the housing, the tie bar slidably mounted relative to a movable platen, and tie bar attached to a stationary platen, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh the clamp piston relative to a clamp ram, wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

61. A data processing system for controlling a molding-system clamp assembly operatively connectable to the data processing system, the data processing system comprising:

a data processing system usable medium embodying one or more instructions executable by the data processing system, the one or more instructions including;

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate inter-abuttable structures; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate inter-meshable structures, the inter-abuttable structures configured to, in cooperation with the inter-meshable structures, transfer a force to a mold.

62. The data processing system of claim 61, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-meshable structures to be selectively inter-meshable; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to be selectively inter-abuttable.

63. The data processing system of claim 61, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-meshable structures to transfer a mold-clamping force over to the mold; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to transfer a mold-break force over to the mold.

64. The data processing system of claim 61, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate at least one of the inter-abuttable structures to be offset from any one of the inter-meshable structures.

65. The data processing system of claim 61, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures that include;

a ram surface defined by a clamp ram; and

a piston surface defined by a clamp piston.

66. The data processing system of claim 61, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to include an interposing body;

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate a clamp ram to be abuttable against the interposing body; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate a clamp piston to be abuttable against the interposing body.

67. The data processing system of claim 61, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-meshable structures to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.

68. The data processing system of claim 61, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-meshable structures to selectively inter-mesh a platen relative to a clamp ram; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to selectively inter-abut the platen relative to the clamp ram.

69. The data processing system of claim 61, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-meshable structures to selectively inter-mesh a clamp piston relative to a clamp ram; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate the inter-abuttable structures to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram, and wherein the clamp ram is connectable to a clamp column, the clamp ram is connectable to a platen.

70. The data processing system of claim 61, further comprising:

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate a mold-break hydraulic column to be interactable with a clamping piston, the clamp piston housed in a housing, the mold-break hydraulic column to be housed in the housing;

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate a clamping-hydraulic column to be interactable with the clamping piston, the clamping-hydraulic column housed in the housing; and

instructions for directing the data processing system to actuate a tie bar to attach to the housing, the tie bar slidably mounted relative to a movable platen, and tie bar attached to a stationary platen, wherein the inter-meshable structures are configured to selectively inter-mesh the clamp piston relative to a clamp ram, wherein the inter-abuttable structures are configured to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clamp ram.