INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application Serial No. 63/378,489 filed on October 5, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an injection molding system using an injection molding machine.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Typically, the manufacturing process of an injection molding machine involves moving a mold into an injection position, injecting a molding resin, moving the injected mold from the injection position to a cooling position, and removing the molded part after cooling has completed. Productivity using this process can be low because the injection molding machine does not perform injection operations during the cooling period.

[0004] A method has been proposed that uses two molds for one injection molding machine to try and improve productivity. For example, in US 11104050, a molding system in which two conveyors are placed on either side of an injection molding machine has been disclosed. In this molding system, a mold exchange is performed by a conveying machine during the cooling time so that injection into the other mold is possible during the cooling time of the one mold.

[0005] The platen of the above-described molding system includes in-plate rollers with a spring configuration and bottom rollers that support the bottom of the mold, which assist in loading and unloading molds into and out of the injection molding machine. However, the manufacturing of a special platen such as this one can be costly, For example, when the configuration of a platen is complex, or the manufacturing of a platen requires a high processing accuracy, and can result in an increase of the platen manufacturing cost. In addition, since the platen itself includes the rollers, it is typically difficult to replace the preexisting rollers when they need replacing. As such, in order to increase the life span of the rollers, rollers that can support higher load capacities when required are used so that the rollers are not damaged when they are used to move heavy molds. However, these types of rollers can become very large and heavy. What is needed is an injection molding system that enables the use of platen that does not require rollers to enable a more flexible approach to smoothly loading and unloading of molds into/from an injection molding machine.

SUMMARY

[0006] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a roller-free platen is provided that provides support to molds thus enabling rollers to instead be attached to the molds. By attaching rollers with respective size and load capacities corresponding to a size/weight of a mold in an injection molding system, smaller/lighter rollers with lower load capacities can be attached to smaller/lighter molds, while larger/heavier rollers that have relatively higher load capacities can be attached to a larger/heavier molds. Removing the rollers from the platen and attaching the appropriate type of rollers to corresponding molds enables the use of a standard non-roller enabled platen in an injection molding system, which can reduce the cost of the injection molding system.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an injection molding system comprises an injection unit configured to inject resin into a mold, an actuator configured to provide power for moving the mold between a first position where the injection unit injects the resin into the mold and a second position different from the first position, and a platen configured to secure a position of the mold at the first position, wherein an improvement to the injection molding system includes the platen comprising a support member having a plane that supports the mold, when the mold is moved by the power from the actuator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1A illustrates a view of an injection molding system of according to an exemplary embodiment viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0009] Figure IB illustrates an enlarged view of a mold and its surroundings of the injection molding system.

[0010] Figure 1C illustrates an enlarged view of a mold and it surroundings of the injection molding system.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a view of the injection molding system according to the exemplary embodiment viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a view of a fixed-side platen of the injection molding system according to the exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction. [0013] Figure 4 illustrates a view of the fixed-side platen comprising side blocks of the injection molding system according to the exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a view of the fixed-side platen comprising fixed-side bottom rails on the inside of tie bars in the injection molding system according to the exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0015] Figure 6 illustrates a view of a state where the fixed-side bottom rails are received by the tie bars in the fixed-side platen of the injection molding system according to the exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0016] Figure 7 illustrates a view of a state where clearances are provided between the tie bars and movable-side bottom rails 12 in the injection molding system according to the exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0017] Figure 8 illustrates a view of a condition where a mold is located inside a molding machine of the injection molding system according to the exemplary embodiment viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0018] Figure 9 is illustrates an enlarged view of the circled area illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0019] Figure 10 illustrates a view of a configuration without nuts in a configuration of the bottom roller units in FIG. 6 viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0020] Figure 11 illustrates an enlarged view of the circled area illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0021] Figure 12 illustrates a view of mold loading/unloading devices and an injection molding machine in the injection molding system according to the exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0022] Figure 13 illustrates a flowchart diagram illustrating a molding process according to the exemplary embodiment.

[0023] Throughout the Figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. While the subject disclosure is described in detail with reference to the Figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative exemplary embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described exemplary embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The present disclosure has several embodiments and relies on patents, patent applications and other references for details known to those of the art. Therefore, when a patent, patent application, or other reference is cited or repeated herein, it should be understood that it is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes as well as for the proposition that is recited.

[0025] An injection molding system according to the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings. The arrow symbols X and Y in each Figure indicate horizontal directions that are orthogonal to each other, and the arrow symbol Z indicates a vertical (perpendicular) direction.

[0026] FIG. 1A is a view illustrating an injection molding system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment viewed from the Z-axis direction. FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the injection molding system 1 viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0027] The injection molding system 1 includes a horizontal injection unit 5 having an injection nozzle 2, an injection cylinder 3, and a hopper 4. The injection unit 5 injects resin into a mold. The injection molding system 1 also includes mold loading/unloading devices 8 that can alternately load/unload a mold A6 and a mold B7. The mold loading/unloading devices 8 are installed at a position (hereinafter “injection position”) suitable for an injection process by the injection unit 5.

[0028] The injection molding system 1 also includes a control apparatus 99 that includes a controller 100 for controlling the injection molding system 1. Controller 100 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU (not illustrated), a RAM (not illustrated), a ROM (not illustrated), a storage device such as a hard disk (not illustrated), and interfaces connected to sensors or actuators (not illustrated). The processor executes programs stored in the storage device. In another exemplary embodiment, the injection molding system 1 can include multiple controllers, where each controller controls different aspects/features of the injection molding system 1.

[0029] The mold loading/unloading devices 8 are installed on both sides of the injection position, i.e., adjacent to an injection molding machine 32 in the X-axis direction. The mold loading/unloading devices 8 are equipped with motors 35. The mold A6 and the mold B7 are each connected to a motor 35 via a linking member 9, and move between a first position (injection position for injecting resin) and a second position (cooling position for cooling resin) by the power provided by the respective motors 35. The motors 35 function as actuators for moving the mold A6 and the mold B7. A detailed configuration of the motors 35 and the linking members 9 are described below with reference to FIG. 12. The mold loading/unloading devices 8 are equipped with side guide rollers 10 to guide the loading/unloading of molds. This enables smooth loading/unloading of molds.

[0030] The injection position of the injection molding system 1 includes fixed-side bottom rails 11 and movable-side bottom rails 12 that support the bottom of the molds, which are fixed to a fixed-side platen 15 or a movable-side platen 16 to avoid mold clamps 13 and tie bars 14. The injection molding system 1 also includes a mold clamping force generator 17, which applies a mold clamping force to the mold during injection filling process.

[0031] Both the mold A6 and the mold B7 include a fixed-side clamping plate 18, a fixed- side mold plate 19, a movable-side clamping plate 20, and a movable-side mold plate 21. Magnet locks 22 are provided at the boundary of the fixed-side mold plate 19 and the movable-side mold plate 21. The magnet locks 22 prevent the parting lines of the molds from opening due to resin pressure when the molds are unloaded from the injection position.

Since the basic structure of the mold A6 and the mold B7 are similar, to simplify the following discussion of the present exemplary embodiment’s configuration, only the mold A6 will be referred to. Any reference to the mold A6 can be replaced with a reference to the mold B7.

[0032] Fig. IB and Fig. 1C illustrate enlarged views of the mold loading/unloading devices 8 according to the exemplary embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the fixed-side platen 15 in the injection molding system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction. A locate ring hole 22 is open in the center of the fixed-side platen 15, and the mold clamps 13 are provided above and below it.

[0034] The fixed-side bottom rails 11 are fixed to the fixed-side platen 15 to avoid the mold clamps 13 and the tie bars 14. Since the process of opening a bolt hole in a molding machine platen (fixed-side platen and/or movable-side platen) with high accuracy is possible, it is possible to install fixed-side bottom rails 11 with post-processing on a manufactured injection molding machine that does not have fixed-side bottom rails 11. The movable-side platen 16 can have the same configuration as the fixed-side platen 15.

[0035] A receiving plate 23 is fixed to the fixed-side platen 15 near the fixed-side bottom rails 11 in the X-axis direction, which forms a convex part on the platen surface. Molds can smoothly slide during mold loading/unloading via side rollers 28 of mold A6 or mold B7 (described in detail below) with receiving plate 23. The material of the receiving plate 23 can be metal or a plastic with good sliding properties, such as Polyacetal or Polyoxymethylene. These are just examples, and any material that would enable practice of the present exemplary embodiment is applicable.

[0036] The fixed-side platen 15 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a first plane used to fix the position of a mold in a clamping process of the mold, and a second plane that supports the mold from below when the mold is moved by the motor 35. The first plane corresponds to the plane in the fixed-side platen 15 of FIG. 3 that contacts the fixed-side clamping plate 18 of a mold during the mold clamping process. The second plane corresponds to the upper surface, i.e., the surface that contacts bottom rollers 26, which will he described below with reference to FIG. 8, of the fixed-side bottom rails 11 of FIG. 3.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the fixed-side platen 15 provided with side blocks 24 in the injection molding system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the side blocks 24 are fixed to both sides of the fixed-side platen 15 in the X-axis direction. FIG. 4 also illustrates a part of the receiving plate 23 extends to the side blocks 24, and that the fixed-side bottom rails 11 are also fixed.

Providing the side blocks 24 enables smoother movement of the mold A6 and the mold B7 between the position on the mold loading/unloading device 8 and the injection position. [0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the fixed-side platen 15 including with fixed-side bottom rails 11 on the inside of the tie bars 14 in the injection molding system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction. The fixed-side platen 15 illustrated in FIG. 5 is a configuration that does not fix the fixed-side bottom rails 11 to the outside of the tie bars 14. Extending the bottom rails 11 from the bottom rails' side of the mold loading/unloading devices 8 towards the tie bars 14 enables supporting the mold A6 and the mold B7. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 is particularly suited for when there is not sufficient space outside the tie bars 14 to fix the fixed-side bottom rails 11.

[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a state where the fixed-side bottom rails 11 are received by the tie bars 14 in the fixed-side platen 15 of the injection molding system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction. More specifically, while FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate examples where the fixed-side bottom rails 11 are fixed avoiding the tie bars 14, FIG. 6 illustrates an example where the positions of the fixed-side bottom rails 11 and the tie bars 14 overlap. Since the fixed-side platen 15 does not move with the opening and closing of a mold, the tie bars 14 and the fixed-side bottom rails 11 do not rub against each other. Thus, it is possible to configure the tie bars 14 to receive the fixed-side bottom rails 11. This type of configuration enables, when loading/unloading a mold into and out of the injection molding machine 32 with the mold loading/unloading device 8, making the structure of the fixed-side bottom rails 11 uninterrupted. This results in the fixed-side bottom rails 11 providing strength as supporting members of a mold, which provides stable loading/unloading of a mold.

[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a view of a state where clearances are provided between the tie bars 14 and the movable-side bottom rails 12 in the injection molding system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction. Since the movable-side platen 16 moves with the opening and closing of a mold, if the tie bars 14 and the movableside bottom rails 12 are in close contact with each other, they will rub against each other. Thus, the movable-side bottom rails 12 having such clearances prevent them from rubbing against the tie bars 14, which reduces the amount of wear. Making the movable side bottom rails 12 with an uninterrupted configuration at the position of the tie bars 14 and the mold clamps 13, provides strength for the moveable side bottom rails 12 as members for supporting a mold similar to the fixed-side platen 15 illustrated in FIG. 6. This results in stable loading/unloading of a mold.

[0041] The movable-side platen 16 in FIG. 7 includes a first plane used to fix the position of a mold in the mold clamping process, and a second plane that supports a mold from below when the mold is moved by the motor 35. The first plane corresponds to the plane in the movable-side platen 16 in FIG. 7 that contacts the movable-side clamping plate 20 of the mold when the mold is clamped. The second plane corresponds to the upper surface (the surface that contacts the bottom rollers 26 that will be described below with reference to FIG. 8) of the movable-side bottom rails 12 in FIG. 7.

[0042] FIG. 8 illustrates a view of a condition where the mold A6 is inside the injection molding machine 32 in the injection molding system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment viewed from the X-axis direction. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the circled area in FIG. 8.

[0043] Bottom roller units 25 are fixed to the bottom of the fixed-side clamping plate 18 and the movable-side clamping plate 20 by bolts (not illustrated). Bottom rollers 26 are fixed to the bottom roller units 25 with nuts 27, so that the mold A6 can move smoothly on the top surface of the fixed-side bottom rails 11 or the movable-side bottom rails 12 when the mold is loaded/unloaded.

[0044] The bottom roller units 25 are provided with side rollers 28 that slide with the receiving plate 23. The side rollers 28 have a configuration that is pushed out in the Y-axis direction by springs 29, whose elongation amount is regulated by shoulder bolts (not illustrated). The side rollers 28 and the springs 29 can, for example, be realized by slide retainers or any other structure that would enable practice of the present exemplary embodiment.

[0045] When a mold is secured by the mold clamps 13 is released for mold loading/unloading, and the movable-side platen 16 is open so that the mold clamping force is not applied, the side rollers 28 push the receiving plate 23 by the springs 29 extending, and the mold A6 is pushed in the Y-axis direction by this force. This creates a clearance between the fixed-side platen 15 and the fixed-side clamping plate 18. Similarly, a clearance is also created between the movable-side platen 16 and the movable-side clamping plate 20.

[0046] This configuration enables the mold A6 to be loaded/unloaded without the fixed-side platen 15 and the fixed-side clamping plate 18 and the movable-side platen 16 and the movable-side clamping plate 20 rubbing against each other.

[0047] Because loading/unloading of the mold A6 occurs with the springs 29 extended, the force of the springs 29 that is applied to the receiving plate 23 is small and the degree of wear of the receiving plate 23 is small. When the receiving plate 23 is worn, it can become necessary to replace it. The bottom roller units 25 according to the present exemplary embodiment are detachable to the fixed-side clamping plate 18 or the movable-side clamping plate 20. The receiving plate 23 is a detachable configuration from the fixed-side platen 15 or the movable-side platen 16. Thus, it is possible to check the condition of the receiving plate 23 and the side rollers 28 during periodic maintenance, etc., and maintenance such as replacement and repair of parts is easy. It is also possible to lower the sliding resistance by applying grease to the receiving plate 23, for example, which can increase durability.

[0048] FIG. 10 illustrates a view of a configuration without nuts 27 in the bottom roller units 25 configuration in FIG. 8 viewed from the X-axis direction. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the circled area in FIG. 10.

[0049] The bottom rollers 26 in FIG. 10 are fixed to the bottom roller units 25 by bolts (not illustrated), and the nuts 27 are not used. This configuration enables reducing the number of parts.

[0050] As described above, it is possible to attach bottom roller units to the bottoms of respective molds, which enables smooth loading/unloading of the respective molds by bottom roller units. This configuration facilitates designing bottom rollers based on the respective weight of the respective molds. That is, in a molding system supported by platen-equipped bottom rollers, while bottom rollers are installed considering the maximum weight of a mold expected to be used, since only bottom rollers corresponding to the weight of the respective molds to be used need to be installed according to the present exemplary embodiment, a cost reduction related to the installation of the bottom rollers can be provided.

[0051] Currently, when fixing side rollers to the molding machine platens (fixed-side platen and/or movable-side platen), there are cases where the need to adjust the position of the side rollers individually depending on the mold to be used is generated. In view of the abovedescribed configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, such an adjustment becomes unnecessary, and ease of setup occurs.

[0052] When compared to a current configuration where a mounting plate equipped with side rollers is attached to a molding machine platen (fixed-side platen and/or movable-side platen), the above-described configuration of the present exemplary embodiment reduces the fabrication cost of the mounting plate. Eliminating the mounting plate results in the degree of freedom related to the thickness dimension of the mold widening, which enables enlarging the size of the mold size that can be used.

[0053] FIG. 12 illustrates a view of the mold loading/unloading devices 8 and the injection molding machine 32 in the injection molding system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment viewed from the Y-axis direction. More specifically, the mold loading/unloading device 30 and the mold loading/unloading device 31 in FIG. 12 correspond to the mold loading/unloading devices 8 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0054] The mold loading/unloading device 30 and the mold loading/unloading device 31 are located on both sides of the injection molding machine 32. The mold loading/unloading device 30 is on the operating side of the injection molding machine 32 while the mold loading/unloading device 31 is on non-operating side of the injection molding machine 32. The operating side mold 33 (corresponds to the mold A6 in FIG. 1) and the non-operating side mold 34 (corresponds to the mold B7 in FIG. 1) are both connected to a link arm 36 that is connected to motor 35. The bottoms of molds 33 and 34 include bottom roller units 25 having bottom rollers 26, which enables smooth movement of the top surfaces of the bottom rollers receiving the plates 37 that are fixed to top plates of the operating side mold loading/unloading device 30 and the non-operating side mold loading/unloading device 31. [0055] The presence of bottom roller units 25, illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 11, at the bottoms of the molds, eliminates the need to install rollers to support the molds on the platen of the injection molding machine 32 as well as eliminates the need to install rollers to support the molds on the operating side mold loading/unloading device 30 and the non-operating side mold loading/ unloading device 31. This simplifies the equipment configuration on the mold loading/unloading device sides, which enables reducing fabrication costs. [0056] As described above, the configuration of the injection molding system 1 of the present exemplary embodiment results in cost reduction and setup efficiency of an injection molding machine and its associated mold loading/unloading devices respectively. The configuration also results in reducing costs of introducing an injection molding system that moves molds between a mold injection process and a mold removal process. Introduction of an injection molding system with the above-described configuration by machining an existing injection molding machine that does not support the injection molding system can be achieved.

[0057] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a molding process according to the present exemplary embodiment.

[0058] The molding process of the injection molding system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 13. As described above, the injection molding system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a control apparatus 99 that includes a controller 100 that includes a processor such as a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk, where the processor executes the various processes illustrated in FIG. 13 by executing the programs stored in the storage device. The injection molding system 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment begins the process illustrated in FIG. 13 in response to a user operation that instructs the start of the molding process by the injection molding system 1. [0059] In step S 101 , the mold A6 is loaded into the injection molding machine 32 by the operating side mold loading/unloading device 8.

[0060] In step S103, when the loading of the mold A6 completes, the movable platen 16 is pushed by the mold clamping force generator 17, and mold A6 is clamped.

[0061] In step S105, after the mold A6 is clamped, molten resin is injected via the injection nozzle 2 of the injection cylinder 3 into the mold A6.

[0062] In step S107, after injection of the resin completes, the movable platen 16 is slightly opened during a cooling process.

[0063] At this time, since the mold clamping force is no longer applied to the mold A6, the springs 29 provided in the bottom roller units 25 of the mold A6 extend, and the side rollers 28 push the receiving plate 23 fixed to the fixed-side platen 15. This forms a clearance between the fixed-side platen 15 and the fixed-side clamping plate 18. Similarly, a clearance is formed between the movable-side platen 16 and the movable-side clamping plate 20 by the side rollers 28 pushing the receiving plate 23 that is fixed to the movable-side platen 16. If the springs 29 extend to the amount regulated by the shoulder bolts, the clearance between the molding machine platen and the mold clamping plate will not open further. [0064] In step S109, the mold A6 is unloaded from the injection molding machine 32, and the mold B7 is loaded into the injection molding machine 32 by the mold loading/unloading devices 8. The timing of the loading/unloading of the mold A6 and the mold B7 can be either simultaneous or staggered. By pre-arranging it so the molding conditions can be set for the mold A6 and the mold B7 respectively, it is possible to handle molds with different part shapes simultaneously. The mold A6 and the mold B7 can move smoothly via the side rollers 28, which are provided to each mold respectively, while being guided by the receiving plates 23, which are fixed to the molding machine platens (fixed-side platen 15 and movableside platen 16).

[0065] In step Sil l, when the loading of the mold B7 completes, the movable platen 16 is pushed by the mold clamping force generator 17, and the mold B7 is clamped.

[0066] In step SI 13, after the mold B7 is clamped, molten resin is injected via the injection nozzle 2 of the injection cylinder 3 into the mold B7.

[0067] In step SI 15 after the injection of the resin is completed, the movable platen 16 is opened slightly during the cooling process.

[0068] At this time, since the mold clamping force is no longer applied to the mold B7, the springs 29 provided in the bottom roller units 25 of the mold B7 extend, and the side rollers 28 push the receiving plate 23 fixed to the fixed-side platen 15. This forms a clearance between the fixed-side platen 15 and the fixed-side clamping plate 18. Similarly, a clearance is formed between the movable-side platen 16 and the movable-side clamping plate 20 by the side rollers 28 pushing the receiving plate 23 that is fixed to the movable-side platen 16. If the springs 29 extend to the amount regulated by the shoulder bolts, the clearance between the molding machine platen and the mold clamping plate will not open further.

[0069] In step S 117, the mold B7 is unloaded from the injection molding machine 32, and the mold A6 is loaded into the injection molding machine 32 by the mold loading/unloading devices 8. The timing of the loading/unloading of the mold A6 and the mold B7 can be either simultaneous or staggered. By pre-arranging it so the molding conditions can be set for the mold A6 and the mold B7 respectively, it is possible to handle molds with different part shapes simultaneously. The mold A6 and the mold B7 can move smoothly via the side rollers 28, which are provided to each mold respectively, while being guided by the receiving plates 23, which are fixed to the molding machine platens (fixed-side platen 15 and movable-side platen 16).

[0070] In step S 119, when the loading of the mold A6 completes, the movable platen 16 is pushed by the mold clamping force generator 17, and the mold A6 is clamped. [0071] In step S 121 , the mold clamps 13 clamp the mold A6.

[0072] In step S 123, the movable platen 16 is opened and the molded part is removed. In an exemplary embodiment, the molded part is removed by ejecting it using an ejector pin (not illustrated) and removed using a take-out robot (not illustrated). Removal of the molded part is not limited to this approach, and any method of removing the molded part that would enable practice of the present disclosure is applicable.

[0073] In step S125, after the molded part is removed, the movable platen 16 is pushed by the mold clamping force generator 17, and the mold A6 is clamped.

[0074] In step S127, after the mold A6 is clamped, molten resin is injected via the injection nozzle 2 of the injection cylinder 3 into the mold A6.

[0075] In step S 129, after injection of the resin completes, the movable platen 16 is slightly opened during a cooling process.

[0076] At this time, since the mold clamping force is no longer applied to the mold A6, the springs 29 provided in the bottom roller units 25 of the mold A6 extend, and the side rollers 28 push the receiving plate 23 fixed to the fixed-side platen 15. This forms a clearance between the fixed-side platen 15 and the fixed-side clamping plate 18. Similarly, a clearance is formed between the movable-side platen 16 and the movable-side clamping plate 20 by the side rollers 28 pushing the receiving plate 23 that is fixed to the movable-side platen 16. If the springs 29 extend to the amount regulated by the shoulder bolts, the clearance between the molding machine platen and the mold clamping plate will not open further.

[0077] In step S 131, the mold A6 is unloaded from the injection molding machine 32, and the mold B7 is loaded into the injection molding machine 32 by the mold loading/unloading devices 8. The timing of the loading/unloading of the mold A6 and the mold B7 can be either simultaneous or staggered. By pre-arranging it so the molding conditions can be set for the mold A6 and the mold B7 respectively, it is possible to handle molds with different part shapes simultaneously. The mold A6 and the mold B7 can move smoothly via the side rollers 28, which are provided to each mold respectively, while being guided by the receiving plates 23, which are fixed to the molding machine platens (fixed-side platen 15 and movable-side platen 16).

[0078] In step S133, when the loading of the mold B7 completes, the movable platen 16 is pushed by the mold clamping force generator 17, and the mold B7 is clamped.

[0079] In step S135, the mold clamps 13 clamp the mold B7.

[0080] In step S 137, the movable platen 16 is opened and the molded part is removed. In an exemplary embodiment, the molded part is removed by ejecting it using an ejector pin (not illustrated) and removed using a take-out robot (not illustrated). Removal of the molded part is not limited to this approach, and any method of removing the molded part that would enable practice of the present disclosure is applicable.

[0081] In step S139, after the molded part is removed, the movable platen 16 is pushed by the mold clamping force generator 17, and the mold B7 is clamped.

[0082] In step S 141 , after the mold B7 is clamped, molten resin is injected via the injection nozzle 2 of the injection cylinder 3 into the mold B7.

[0083] In step S143, after injection of the resin completes, the movable platen 16 is slightly opened during a cooling process.

[0084] At this time, since the mold clamping force is no longer applied to the mold B7, the springs 29 provided in the bottom roller units 25 of the mold B7 extend, and the side rollers 28 push the receiving plate 23 fixed to the fixed-side platen 15. This forms a clearance between the fixed-side platen 15 and the fixed-side clamping plate 18. Similarly, a clearance is formed between the movable-side platen 16 and the movable-side clamping plate 20 by the side rollers 28 pushing the receiving plate 23 that is fixed to the movable-side platen 16. If the springs 29 extend to the amount regulated by the shoulder bolts, the clearance between the molding machine platen and the mold clamping plate will not open further.

[0085] In step S145, the mold B7 is unloaded from the injection molding machine 32, and the mold A6 is loaded into the injection molding machine 32 by the mold loading/unloading devices 8. The timing of the loading/unloading of the mold A6 and the mold B7 can be either simultaneous or staggered. . By pre-arranging it so the molding conditions can be set for the mold A6 and the mold B7 respectively, it is possible to handle molds with different part shapes simultaneously. The mold A6 and the mold B7 can move smoothly via the side rollers 28, which are provided to each, moving while being guided by the receiving plates 23, which are fixed to the molding machine platens (fixed-side platen 15 and movable-side platen 16). [0086] Upon completion of step S145, the process returns to step SI 19, and the abovedescribed injection molding process is repeated.

[0087] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of the injection molding process starting with the mold A6 located on the operating side. In another exemplary embodiment, the injection molding process starts with the mold B7 located on the non-operating side.

DEFINITIONS

[0088] In referring to the description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples disclosed. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily lengthen the present disclosure.

[0089] It should be understood that if an element or part is referred herein as being "on", "against", "connected to", or "coupled to" another element or part, then it can be directly on, against, connected or coupled to the other element or part, or intervening elements or parts may be present. In contrast, if an element is referred to as being "directly on", "directly connected to", or "directly coupled to" another element or part, then there are no intervening elements or parts present. When used, term "and/or", includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, if so provided.

[0090] Spatially relative terms, such as “under” “beneath”, "below", "lower", "above", "upper", “proximal”, “distal”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the various figures. It should be understood, however, that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, a relative spatial term such as "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are to be interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the relative spatial terms “proximal” and “distal” may also be interchangeable, where applicable.

[0091] The term “about,” as used herein means, for example, within 10%, within 5%, or less. In some embodiments, the term “about” may mean within measurement error.

[0092] The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, parts and/or sections. It should be understood that these elements, components, regions, parts and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms have been used only to distinguish one element, component, region, part, or section from another region, part, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, part, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, part, or section without departing from the teachings herein.

[0093] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “includes”, “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Specifically, these terms, when used in the present specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof not explicitly stated. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. For example, if the range 10-15 is disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.

[0094] It will be appreciated that the methods and compositions of the instant disclosure can be incorporated in the form of a variety of embodiments, only a few of which are disclosed herein. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the abovedescribed elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.