System for detecting injection holding material
First Claim
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1. A method of determining whether an injection mold is substantially free from any leftover molding material, the method comprising:
- injecting molding material including a fluorescent colorant into a mold to create a workpiece;
releasing the mold;
directing ultraviolet light into at least a portion of the mold with sufficient energy to cause emissions from the fluorescent colorant of any remaining molding material to be detectable; and
when remaining molding material is detected, removing the remaining molding material.
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Abstract
A system is provided for detecting a substantially transparent injection molding material. The injection molding material contains a fluorescent colorant, which is invisible when not exposed to ultraviolet light, but becomes visible when exposed to ultraviolet light. A method of detecting the injection molding material involves exposing the injection molding material to ultraviolet light and examining the material during exposure.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of determining whether an injection mold is substantially free from any leftover molding material, the method comprising:
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injecting molding material including a fluorescent colorant into a mold to create a workpiece;
releasing the mold;
directing ultraviolet light into at least a portion of the mold with sufficient energy to cause emissions from the fluorescent colorant of any remaining molding material to be detectable; and
when remaining molding material is detected, removing the remaining molding material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An optical inspection system for determining whether an injection mold is suitable for reinjection of molding materials, the optical inspection system comprising:
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a reusable mold which accepts flowable materials comprising a fluorescent colorant, wherein the flowable materials cool to form a workpiece in the shape of the mold; and
a light source which directs ultraviolet light toward the reusable mold with sufficient energy to energize the fluorescent colorant of any leftover flowable materials within the reusable mold. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An optical inspection system for determining whether flaws or other abnormalities occurred in a workpiece made from an injection molding process, the optical inspection system comprising:
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a light source which directs a first light toward a workpiece made from materials including a fluorescent colorant, wherein the first light comprises light of a wavelength not visible to humans with sufficient energy to cause the fluorescent colorant to emit a second light;
an inspection device which inspects the workpiece by detecting the second light, wherein the second light comprises light of a wavelength visible to humans. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification