The present invention relates to an improved press which, although not limited to any specific size or use, is particularly suitable for reaction injection molding (RIM) of large products requiring high pressure in a range of from 500 to 1000 tons (U.S.) or more over a mold area of 50 ft ² (4.65 m ² ) or more.

In a typical RIM operation, a mold cavity formed by at least two mating mold parts if filled with reactive chemicals that are mixed and injected at high pressure into the mold cavity, wherein an exothermic polymerization reaction substantially increases the pressure within the cavity. During the reaction process, it is important to clamp the mold parts firmly together to prevent the material being molded from escaping at the junctures between the mold parts. The RIM of large products requires very high compression forces over a comparatively large area, such that conventional presses used for high tonnage RIM operations tend to warp or deform during the molding process. Although the press beds between which comparatively large mold parts are pressed comprise heavy rigid steel structures, it has not been economically feasible to provide such presses that will

not deform. In consequence, the force applied to clamp the mold parts together is distributed unevenly over the area of the mold, enabling the extrusion of pressurized reacting chemicals through tiny spacings at the mold junctures. Such spacings on the order of 0.001 in. (0.025 mm) are significant, may result in improperly formed molded products, and in any event necessitate an additional operation to remove flash from the molded product.

Some RIM molds are characterized by a female mold part having a deep cavity that cooperates with a male mold part having projections that extend deeply, i.e., as much as 30 in. (76 cm) or more, into the cavity when the mold parts are brought together to interfit when the mold is in a closed position. The mold cavity is usually defined by highly polished and accurately machined surfaces. Accordingly, not only must the junctures between the mold parts, at their parting surfaces, be tightly sealed during the high pressure molding process, but each part of such molds must be orientated precisely with respect to a common reference plane, which is usually horizontal when the mold parts move vertically between their open and closed positions. If the supporting structure for either mold part becomes tilted slightly from the reference plane, the projections of the male mold part that extend deeply into the female cavity might contact and damage the mold and in any event, will alter and possibly cause a defective molded part. It is accordingly essential to successful operation with such RIM molds that the supports for the mold remain precisely parallel to the reference plane as the mold parts approach the closed position.

Although the prior art relating to molding presses is extensive, very little of that art is concerned with the problem of preventing or compensating for deformation of the press components. U.S. Patent No. 4,304,540 to Hammon, is typical of a conventional type of press that ignores the deformation problem and is thus limited to the molding of small products involving comparatively low pressure applications.

The U.S. patents to Quere et al., 2,916,768 and 0 Larson et al., 4,318,682, recognize the problem of deformation and the possibility of improperly aligned press components. However, the structures disclosed in the patents are inadequate for RIM applications and are _ζ unrelated to the concept of the invention disclosed herein.

Another type of press known to the art and concerned with the provision of a uniform distribution _Q of molding force over the area of a mold is variously known as a bladder or pillow type press. Such presses provide a high pressure chamber having a movable and usually deformable wall coextensive with a movable mold plate and deformable against the latter to clamp it 5 toward a fixed mold plate during a molding operation. Such presses are only suitable for molding products having comparatively small surface areas requiring a comparatively small total molding force, wherein deformation of the press components is not a problem and 0 high pressure stripping is not required. The deformable wall of the high pressure chamber can only exert a unidirectional molding force and is thus not suitable for high pressure stripping.

A typical pillow or bladder type press is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,247,278 to Descrovi et al., which although it recognizes the problem of deformation of the mold plates is not suitable for high tonnage operation.

The present invention is particularly concerned with problems resulting from the distortion of press components during high tonnage RIM operations involving large molds and provides an effective combination and arrangement of press components including a pair of mold supporting platens movable with respect to each other to a mold closed position for clamping a composite mold or die therebetween, as for example, a multiple part mold for RIM, and also including an improved arrangement of sensors and transducers that materially simplify the press operation and reduce the cycle time of repetitive operations.

In a preferred construction, a movable platen carried by a heavy and sturdy movable bolster or carrier is rapidly moved by a high speed and comparatively low power hydraulic mechanism from an open mold position to a closed mold position confronting a fixed platen supported by a heavy and sturdy fixed base. At the mold closed position, the two platens are confined between the movable carrier and fixed base. Cooperating mold parts are confined between and supported by the two platens and interfit conventionally along parting surfaces to define a closed mold cavity therebetween. The fixed base also supports several guide pillars and locking rods that extend slidably through the carrier in the direction of its movement. The pillars guide movement of the carrier to and from the open and closed mold positions. The locking rods are provided with a

plurality of closely and uniformly spaced annular locking grooves or serrations which are selectively engagable with locking dogs mounted on the carrier to lock the latter at incremental positions against movement with respect to the fixed base and platen. .

Depending upon the dimensions of the cooperating mold parts between the platens at the mold closed position, the locking dogs mounted on the carrier may not be properly aligned with the serrations of the locking rods to lock therewith when the carrier moves initially to the closed mold position. In order to lock the carrier positively with respect to the fixed base, it may be necessary to move the carrier and locking dogs carried thereby a fraction of the incremental spacing between successive serrations of the locking rods. ,To this end, when the carrier stops at the closed mold position, a transducer and sensor carried by the fixed base and carrier cooperate to determine the distance "Y" that the carrier must be moved from the closed mold position to the next successive locking position, and also to initiate a sequence of press operations as follows:

(1) The low power hydraulic mechanism is activated to move the carrier independently of the movable platen from the closed position to the next successive locking position, i.e., the distance "Y" determined by the sensor. During this sensor determined movement of the carrier to a locking position, the movable and fixed platens remain at the mold closed position. In consequence, a space equal to the sensor determined distance "Y" is created between the carrier and the movable platen.

(2) The locking dogs and a spacer mechanism

are then actuated, whereupon the locking dogs engage the aligned serrations of the locking rods and lock the carrier against further movement. Substantially simultaneously, the spacer mechanism moves a spacer into position to span the space "Y" created between the carrier and the movable platen.

(3) Thereafter, a high tonnage force exerting mechanism mounted on the locked carrier forces the movable platen against the fixed platen, thereby to seal the parting surfaces between the mold parts.

(4) The RIM apparatus is then actuated to inject the reactive chemicals into the sealed mold cavity in a conventional manner.

(5) Upon completion of the molding operation, the carrier is unlocked and returned with the movable platen to the initial mold open position by the high speed hydraulic apparatus to enable repetition of the cycle.

The spacer inserted by the spacer mechanism between the carrier and the movable platen remains in place until it is removed at the election of the press operator, as for example to accommodate a mold of a different dimension. Thus, during successive molding cycles, when the carrier moves the movable platen to the mold closed position, the carrier will already be spaced from the movable platen by the aforesaid sensor determined distance, such that the locking dogs will be properly aligned with the locking rods for immediately locking the carrier against movement during the RIM operation. Operation, of the press is thus materially simplified and the cycle time for repetitive molding operations is appreciably shortened.

The high tonnage force exerting means preferably comprise a plurality of high pressure piston- cylinder assemblies mounted on the carrier and having their piston rods or connectors separately extensible independently of each other in the direction from the carrier toward the movable platen and connected thereto at a corresponding plurality of separate locations confined within the area of the mold that is clamped between the two platens. The connectors are arranged so that when they are extended, each independently of the others, they force the movable platen against the fixed platen at the closed mold position.

In the event that some of the press components tend to deform during a high tonnage clamping operation, such that the junctures between the mold parts clamped between the platens are not tightly sealed, the independently extensible connector connected to the movable platen adjacent to any unsealed juncture will continue its clamping movement until the junctures between the parting surfaces of the mold parts are completely sealed.

The locking rods when engaged by the locking dogs sustain the entire reaction force of a high tonnage clamping operation, such that the guide rods are unaffected by the clamping operation and their function in guiding movement of the carrier is not hampered. Also the guide and locking rods are located outwardly of the area of the platens, such that the mechanism for operating the locking dogs may be located outside of that area. Thus the force exerting means, preferably high pressure cylinders, may be mounted on the carrier as closely together as desired within that area.

Also preferably a pair of locking dogs associated with each locking rod are slidably supported on the carrier for moving simultaneously in opposite directions to and from positions of locking engagement with the locking rod. A first spring interposed between fixed portions of the carrier and one of the dogs of said pair yieldingly urges the one dog to its position of locking engagement. A second spring interposed between fixed portions of the carrier and the other dog of said pair yieldingly urges the other dog to its position of locking engagement. A pair of force exerting members connected respectively with the dogs are movable simultaneously in said opposite directions to move the dogs simultaneously to their positions of locking engagement against the reaction of the springs. Also preferably a pair of spacers are provided for engaging portions of each dog and the carrier for blocking unlocking movement of the dogs at a predetermined limiting position.

The locking dogs slidable on the carrier are necessarily substantial in size and weight in order to withstand the high tonnage clamping force when interlocked with the locking rods. As a result, appreciable sliding friction would ordinarily exist between the locking dogs and carrier when the dogs are moved to and from locking engagement with the locking rods. In order to reduce such sliding friction, a resilient device is interposed between the carrier and dogs to elevate the latter yieldingly 0.002 or 0.003 in (0.05 or 0.076 mm) from the carrier. The annular grooves of the locking rods also provide approximately 0.125 in. (3.2 mm) clearance for the locking dogs, such that the elevated dogs are freely received within the

grooves when aligned for locking engagement therewith. During high tonnage clamping, the clamping force readily overrides the resilient device and eliminates any clearance between the dogs and carrier.

The preferred high pressure cylinder and piston assemblies described herein also provide compact and readily controlled reversible means for effecting high pressure stripping where such is required, utilizing the same pressure source required for the high tonnage clamping. However, other force exerting assemblies known to the art, such as toggle or electro-mechanical assemblies by way of example may be substituted for the high pressure cylinder-piston assemblies. Also, although the present invention is described herein in application with high tonnage RIM of large products, such as polyurethane parts and the like, the press described may be used in other applications where a plurality of independently extensible force exerting connecting rods are required to apply force at a corresponding plurality of separate closely spaced locations within the area of a mold.

Other advantages and applications of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Figure 1 is a schematic elevational view of a RIM press embodying the present invention, showing the press at its mold open position, as for example at the beginning of a molding cycle.

Figure 1A is a fragmentary schematic view illustrating the relation between the locking rods and dogs associated with the Figure 1 position.

Figure IB is a schematic representation of the press control center comprising the interacting hydraulic and sensor systems.

Figures 2 and 2A are similar to Figures 1 and 1A, but show the press elements at the initial mold closed position.

Figures 3 and 3A are views similar to Figures 1 and 1A, showing the press components after the carrier has been moved to the locking position and prior to activation of the spacer mechanism.

Figures 4 and 4A are views similar to Figures 1 and 1A, showing the spacer mechanism in position to assure that the carrier will always be at the Figure 3 locking position during repetitive molding operations when the mold parts are at their closed position.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Figure 4 showing details of the spacer mechanism.

Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of the press.

Figures 7 and 8 are plane views of the locking mechanism, showing the latter in the unlocked and locked position respectively.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary elevation of Figure 8, showing details of the resilient device for elevating

the locking dogs to reduce friction during movement to and from their locking positions.

Referring to the drawings, a high pressure press for reaction injection molding (RIM) on the order of 500 to 1000 tons (U.S.) or more capacity is illustrated comprising in the present instance a rigid fixed base 10 supporting and secured to a lower fixed mold platen 11. A lower fixed mold part 12 is supported and conventionally secured to the platen 11. A movable carrier or bolster 13 of a rigid material is provided with elongated sleeve bushings 14 that ride along four guide pillars 15 extending vertically from mountings on the base 10 adjacent to its corners and outwardly of the platen 11. A pair of comparatively high speed hydraulic assemblies comprising cylinders 16 are mounted on the midline of the base 10 (Figure 6) and engage endwise extensions of the carrier 13 for rapidly moving the latter along the guide pillars 15 between an elevated open position, Figure 1, and a lower closed position,* Figures 2, 3, and 4, as more fully described hereinafter.

Mounted on the upper surface of the carrier 13 are a plurality of high pressure hydraulic cylinders 17, either in the present instance, as shown in Figure 6. Each cylinder 17 contains a bidirectionally operated piston 18 connected with a vertically movable connecting rod or connector 19 that extends in sliding sealing relationship through the lower end of the associated cylinder 17 and freely through the carrier 13 to a connection 20 at its lower end with a movable upper platen 21 for supporting the latter and urging it vertically in high pressure clamping, and stripping operations when required, upon actuation of the pistons

18. The platen 21 is constructed of a rigid material and is essentially coextensive with the underlying fixed mold platen 11. An upper movable mold part 22, is conventionally secured to the platen 21 and overlies and cooperates with the lower mold part 12 when in the closed position of the press, as shown in Figure 2, to define a mold cavity 23 therebetween, which is sealed during a molding operation. By virtue of the press structure described, including the cylinders 17 mounted above the carrier 13, the bushings 14 can be elongated appreciably to provide the desired support for the carrier 13 on the pillars 15.

Also mounted on the base 10 adjacent to and slightly inwardly of the guide pillars 15 respectively, as shown in Figure 6, are four vertical locking rods 24 that extend freely through the carrier 13. The rods 24 are provided with uniformly spaced annular grooves or serrations 25 throughout the upper portions of the rods. The parts described thus far are preferably formed from sturdy structural steel alloys. The cylinders 16 and 17 are connected in an operative hydraulic circuit, schematically illustrated in Figure IB, and both can be operated from the same source of high pressure hydraulic fluid.

Associated with each rod 24 is a locking mechanism comprising a pair of locking dogs 26a and 26b, Figures 7 and 8, mounted on the upper surface of carrier 13 for horizontal movement toward and away from opposite sides of the associated rod 24. The dogs are provided with semi-cylindrical recesses 27 that are provided with a plurality of grooves or serrations 28 which are adapted to mate and interlock with the grooves or serrations on the rods 24, Figures 1A and 8. Movement

of each pair of dogs to and from the locking position is accomplished by an associated spring assisted hydraulic locking mechanism, indicated generally at 29, and comprising a horizontally movable hydraulic cylinder 30.

The latter is closed at its outer end and secured to a ς horizontal transverse bar 31. The cylinder 30 is also closed at its inner end and secured to a guide 32 for a piston rod 33 connected to a piston 34 which is reciprocally mounted within the cylinder 30. The

_1Q rod 33 extends horizontally from the piston 34 and perpendicular to both the transverse bar 31 and the associated rod 24 and is movable through the guide 32 in sealing relationship therewith. The piston rod 33 is connected to a connection 35 at its inner end with the

15 adjacent dog 26a.

A pair of rods 36 are mounted in a parallel relation to the rod 33 and are connected to the other dog 26b at opposite sides of the rod 24. The rods 36 20 extend in a sliding relationship through the dog 26a and through a pair of fixed guides 37 respectively. The screw threaded ends of the rods 36 are secured to opposite ends of the bar 31 by nuts 39. The guides 37 are secured to the carrier 13. Extending around each

25 rod 36 are a pair of helical springs 40 and 41. Spring 40 is positioned between the dog 26a and fixed guide 37, and spring 41 is positioned between the guide 37 and bar 31. The locking mechanism 29 is selectively operated by

30 hydraulic circuitry for applying hydraulic pressure to either the left or right face of piston 34.

When pressure is applied to the left face of piston 34, the latter is moved to the Figure 7. position at the limit of its rightward movement within cylinder 30, thereby to move the dog 25a to the rightward

position and out of engagement with the rod 24. Simultaneously, the cylinder 30 and connected bar 31 and guide 32 are moved leftward, thereby to move the rods 36 leftward and to force the dog 26b leftward and out of engagement with the rod 24. The simultaneous rightward movement of dog 26a and leftward movement of bar 31 compresses the springs 40 and 41 between the dog 26a and fixed guides 37 and between the fixed guides 37 and bar 31. Thus, each dog 26a and 26b moves away from the locking rod 24 to the unlocked position by an amount equal to one-half of the total stroke or relative movement between the piston 34 and its cylinder 30, i.e., the piston 34 and cylinder 30 each move a half stroke in opposite directions relative to the fixed guides 37.

In order to assure the half stroke movement of the cylinder 30 and piston 34, a pair of tubular spacers

42 and 43 of equal lengths enclose respectively each pair of springs 40 and 41 and are located respectively between the fixed guides 37 and dog 26a and between the fixed guides 37 and bar 31. The tubular spacers 42 and

43 closely space the fixed guides 37 equal distances from the adjacent portions of the dog 26a and bar 31 when the locking mechanism 29 is in the unlocked position. At the Fig 8, locked position, the spacers 42, 43 float on their respective springs 40, 41.

Upon application of pressure to the right face of piston 34, or preferably upon release of pressure within cylinder 30, the compressed springs 40 move the dog 26a leftward to the locked position, Figure 8, and the compressed springs 41 move the bar 31 and connected dog 26b rightward to the locked position, such that the interfitting serrations 25, 28 of the rod 24 and

dogs 26a, 26b lock the carrier 13 against movement longitudinally of the rod 24. The locking mechanism 29 described is thus fail safe in the event of loss of pressure. In addition to the guides 37 which are fixedly secured to the carrier 13, a pair of guides 44 which are also fixedly secured to the carrier 13 in a parallel relation with the rods 36 engage opposite sides of the dogs 26a, 26b in sliding relationship to enable their horizontal movements to and from their locking positions, as described.

Vertical movement of the dogs 26a, 26b independently of the carrier 13 is limited by a plate 45 that overlies and is secured to the fixed guides 44. The locking rod 24 passes freely through an opening in the plate 45, and the plate 45 overlies the dogs with a small vertical clearance, such that the dogs slide between the guides 44 to which the plate 45 is secured. The vertical dimension of each dog is about 7 or 8 in. (17.8 cm or 20.3 cm) for a 1000 ton (U.S.) press in order to provide the strength to withstand the high tonnage clamping force in the locked position. Accordingly, a second pair of rods 36 and similar associated structure preferably overlie the rods 36, as shown in Figure 9.

In order to minimize the sliding friction and resulting wear between the carrier 13 and the dogs when the latter are moved towards and away from locking engagement with the rod 24, the weight of the dogs in each locking mechanism 29 is supported by a pair of helical springs 64 seated within a pair of recesses 65 in the plate 45 and coiled around a pair of bearing support pins 66, Figure 9. Each pin 66 extends vertically downward from the associated recess 65 and

slidable through the plate 45 to a screw connection at its lower threaded end with a bearing block 67. The latter contains a horizontal cylindrical sleeve bearing 68 for a pin 69 which is slidable coaxially within the bearing 68. A threaded end 69a of the pin 69 screws into the adjacent dog 26b at a location essentially in coaxial alignment with the uppermost rod 36 and is thus secured to the dog 26b for movement therewith to and from the locking position. During such movement, the pin 69 slides coaxially within the bearing 68. The dog 26b is recessed at 70 to accommodate the bearing block 67 when the dog 26b is moved out of contact with the rod 24.

The spring 64 is under compression between the base of the recess 65 and the enlarged head of the pin 66 and normally holds the pin and bearing block 67 and dog 26b upwardly to the extent of a few thousandths of an inch clearance between the upper surface of the block 67 and the overlying cover plate 45. By reason of the rods 36 connected to the dog 26b and extending through the dog 26a, the latter is also elevated, such that both dogs normally clear the upper surface of the carrier 13 by a few thousandths of an inch, to this end, the supports 36 permit sufficient vertical movement of the rods 36 to enable the resiliently induced clearance between the dogs and carrier 13. Likewise, approxi¬ mately 0.125 in (3.2 mm) clearance is provided for the projections of the serrated dogs within the mating annular grooves of the serrated rods 24. When the press is in the high tonnage clamping mode, the clamping force overrides the force of the springs 64 and the dogs seat solidly on the carrier 13.

In accordance with a typical operation of the RIM press, starting by way of example from an elevated or mold open position of the carrier 13, Figure 1, with the pistons 46 and rods 47 of the cylinders 16 extended essentially to their limits of upward movement, the dogs 26a, 26b are interlocked with the locking rods 24, Figure 1A, and the pistons 18 are retracted upwardly to support the movable platen 21 at its upper limit of movement against the carrier 13. The locking mechanisms 29 can then be operated as described to release the dogs 26a, 26b from the serrated rods 24. The hydraulic fluid pressure within cylinders 16 is suitably controlled by hydraulic circuits. Figure IB, to effect rapid downward movement of the carrier 13 and platen 21 toward the closed position. Figure 2. Shortly before the carrier 13 reaches the Figure 2 closed position, where the mold parts 12 and 22 interfit with each other in mating relationship to define a closed mold cavity 23, the rate of descent is retarded to allow the mold parts 12, 22 to come together gently. The initial closing movement of the carrier 13 can be controlled either manually or by the sensing system described hereinafter.

Inasmuch as the mating mold parts 12, 22 can be replaced by other mold parts of different sizes for different molding operations, the serrated rods 24 at the initial closed position may not interfit with the serrated dogs 26a, 26b, Figure 2A. Accordingly, before actuation of the locking mechanisms 29, the carrier 13 must be raised to the next successive locking position. Figures 3, 3A, where the dogs 26a, 26b interfit in locking engagement with the rods 24. During this operation, the platen 21 and mold part 22 will remain at the closed Figure 2 position. In consequence, a space

48 will be created between the carrier 13 and platen 21 amounting usually to less than 1 in. (2.5 cm), but not more than the spacing between successive locking positions.

In order to move the carrier 13 precisely and rapidly to the Figure 3 locking position, a pair of linear displacement transducers 49 are supported by the base 10 in parallel with the locking rods 24 and on the midline of the press adjacent to its opposite ends. Each transducer 49 is associated with a sensor 50 mounted on the carrier 13. Each sensor 50 and associated transducer 49 is connected in an operative sensing circuit 72 cooperable with the hydraulic circuit 71 to enable the sensor 50 to determine and control its position along the length of the transducer 49.

The locking rods 24 are accurately adjusted on the base 10 so that each locking mechanism 29 will engage and lock with its associated rod 24 at precisely the same distance from the base 10 when the carrier 13 is at the Figure 1 open position. As a result, the carrier 13 at the open position will be perfectly parallel with the base 10. When the circuitry, Figure IB, is activated to initiate downward movement of the carrier 13 toward the Figure 2 closed position, the sensors 50 in cooperation with the transducers 49 will sense their positions along the length of their associated transducers 49 to assure that opposite ends of the carrier 13 are always equidistant from the base 10.

If one of the sensors 50 should detect that it is lower than the other, the hydraulic system 16 associated with the lower sensor 50 will reduce the rate

of downward movement of the lower end of the carrier 13. In consequence, equal distances of both sensors 50 from a horizontal reference plane, i.e., the horizontal base 10, is maintained within an accuracy of 0.001 in. (0.025 mm) and the desired attitude or horizontal orientation of the carrier 13 is assured throughout its movement to the closed position.

When the carrier 13 approaches the Figure 2 closed position, the sensors 50 sense that condition and signal the hydraulic circuit 71 to retard the rate of downward travel of the carrier 13. When the movable mold part 22 finally seats on the fixed mold part 12 at the interfitting closed position, downward movement of the carrier 13 stops, and the hydraulic circuit signals the sensors 50 to determine the distance "Y", Figure 2A, that the carrier 13 must be raised to a locking position. Figure 3A, where the dogs 26a, 26b can interlock with the rods 24. Successive locking positions are spaced vertically along the locking rod by increments on the order of magnitude of about 1 to 1.25 in. (2.54 to 3.2 cm). The distance "Y" will be a fraction of such an increment.

The sensor 50 in cooperation with the transducer 49 immediately senses the distance "Y" and initiates a sequence of signals whereby the hydraulic circuit associated with the cylinders 17 enables the pistons 17 to float and cylinders 16 are actuated to elevate the carrier 13 an amount equal to the distance "Y" where the projections of the dogs 26a, 26b align centrally with the grooves of the rods 24 with approximately 0.125 in (3.2 mm) clearance. As soon as the carrier 13 is raised the distance "Y" to the next successive locking position, the locking mechanisms 29

are activated to move the dogs into locking engagement with the rods 24. Substantially simultaneously, a spacer mechanism is activated to fill the space 48, amounting to the distance "Y", between the carrier 13 and movable platen 21, as described hereinafter.

As soon as the carrier 13 is locked against movement by the locking mechanism 29, the high pressure cylinders 17 are actuated to force the pistons 18 and connecting rods 19 downward against the platen 21,

10 thereby to clamp the mold parts 12, 22 together and effect a sealed mold cavity 23 therebetween, whereupon a conventional RIM mix head 51, Figure 1, is actuated to discharge reactive chemicals at high pressure into the

--. cavity 23 to enable completion of the RIM operation in a conventional manner. Inasmuch as the mod parts 12, 22 are in contact at their mold closed position, the high tonnage clamping force is only applied to effectively seal the junctures between the mold parts 12, 22. The 0 travel of the pistons 18 and connecting rods 19 will thus be very small, i.e., primarily as required to compensate for unavoidable warpage of the press components, and the hydraulic power required for the high tonnage clamping force will be nominal.

25

In the present instance the spacer mechanism is more clearly illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 and comprises six rotatable spindles 52 which are driven by torque limiting sprockets 53 and a sprocket chain 54.

30 The chain 54, in turn, is driven by motor 55 through a speed reducer 56. The chain 54 extends continuously around the six sprockets 53 and suitable idle rollers. Each sprocket 53 is keyed at 57 to a spindle 52 to rotate the same. Each spindle 52 extends vertically and rotatably through a flange 13a of the carrier 13 to a

lower longitudinally splined end 58. A cylindrical spacer 59 is splined on the end 58 to rotate with the spindle 52 and also to move axially along the spline. The upper portion of the spacer 59 has a reduced diameter externally threaded portion in screw threaded engagement with an internally threaded non-rotatable portion of carrier 13 or sleeve 61 secured within a lower flange 13b of the carrier 13.

Upon rotation of the spindle 52, the spacer 59 splined thereto also rotates and is driven downward by the screw threaded engagement with sleeve 61 until the enlarged lower end of the spacer 59 strikes the upper surface of platen 21 and actuates a proximity switch 62 secured within the platen 21. By reason of a torque limiting coupling between the sprocket 53 and spindle 52, the spacer 59 and spindle 52 stop rotating. When the proximity switches 62 associated with all six of the spacers 59 have been actuated, a signal is sent to stop motor 55.

During subsequent molding operations, when the press is actuated to move the carrier 13 and movable platen 21 to the closed position, the carrier 13 will already be at a locking position. Accordingly, the process of sensing the distance "Y", raising the carrier 13 to the next successive locking position, and actuation of the above described spacer mechanism will be eliminated. The sensor 50 will recognize that the distance "Y" equals zero and will immediately cause the control center 71, 72 to actuate the locking mechanism 29 to lock the carrier 13 against further movement, then initiate the high tonnage clamping operation of cylinders 17, and thereafter initiate operation of the

mix head 51 to inject the pressurized reactive chemicals into the mold cavity 23.

Upon completion of the RIM, the carrier 13 is unlocked from the rods 24 and the high pressure differential across the pistons 18 is reversed to effect high tonnage stripping, where required, to move the platen 21 slightly upwardly to strip the mold part 22 from the molded product within the mold cavity 23. Usually, the stripping force is less than the 1000 ton

10 (U.S.) molding force, as for example in the neighborhood of 200 tons (U.S.). Preferably, when a high stripping force is not required, as for example when less than 200 tons are applied, the rods 24 can be unlocked from the

--. dogs 26a, 26b after the RIM operation and the cylinders 16 will be activated to effect the stripping. The stripping and subsequent return of the carrier 13 to the Figure 1 open position will be under the above described sensor control to maintain the horizontal attitude of

20 the carrier as required to prevent damage to a mold having a deep mold cavity. Uniform and simultaneous stripping movement of all parts of the plate 21 is thus facilitated because it is easier to control the stripping operation and high speed movement of the

25 carrier 13 between the open and closed positions by means of the two cylinders 16 rather than the eight or more cylinder 17.

As noted above, a major problem confronted by

30 high tonnage RIM presses results from the deformation of the press components during the high pressure clamping force required to overcome the reaction pressure of the molding products. The present invention mounts the high tonnage pressure exerting cylinders 17 on the carrier 13 at preselected locations spaced within an area

coextensive with the area of the mold 23, as illustrated in Figure 6, such that at least some of the connecting rods 19 engage the platen 21 within that area. The connecting rods 19 are forced independently of each other against the platen 21 by the high pressure fluid within the cylinders 17. Thus any localized unsealed juncture between the mold parts 12, 22 resulting from a deformation of the press components, such as bowing of the carrier 13 and base 10, or a relative cocking therebetween resulting from the clamping force on the corner mounted locking rods 24, or their non-uniform stretching, and from pressure within the mold 23, will be closed by additional downward movement of the connecting rod 19 overlying the unsealed juncture.

The high tonnage downward extension of each rod 19 continues until all the junctures between the mold parts 12, 22 are compacted firmly together and sealed. The mold parts 12, 22 are necessarily sufficiently strong to resist being crushed by the forces exerted by the high pressure assemblies 17, 18, 19, which forces can amount to approximately 125 tons (U.S.) at each location 54 when the force of a 1000 ton press is distributed among eight rods 19. The condition where the mold parts 12, 22 are pressed together sufficiently to positively seal the mold cavity 23 determines the limit of downward movement of the connecting rods 19. The pressure within the cylinders 17 is then maintained to hold the mold cavity 23 closed until completion of the molding reaction, whereupon the press components are returned to the starting position.

The press can operate at pressures in the cylinders 17 on the order of magnitude of 2500 psi for example, wherein the plan area of the mold parts 12, 20,

Figure 6, may be on the order of magnitude of 6 ft x 9 ft (1.83 m x 2.74 m) by way of example. The spacing between the connections 20 of the connectors 19 with the platen 21 will be determined by the rigidity of the platen 21, but in any event will be sufficiently small so that the leverage of localized deforming forces exerted on the mold platens 11 and 21 between the locations 20 will be too small to enable significant deformation of these plates between adjacent regions 20. It is accordingly apparent that the independently extensible connectors 19 not only compensate for deformation of the press components, they may actually suppress deformation by preventing initial buckling of such parts as the platens 11 and 21. Even when the four locking rods 24 do not stretch identically, or in the even of slight deformation of the heavy base 10, the action of the independently extensible rods 19 described above will maintain the mold 23 closed and sealed throughout the molding operation.

The specific hydraulic sensor and electrical circuitry associated with the cylinders 16, 17 and 30, sensors 49, 50 and 62, and motor 55 required to operate the press mechanism as described, forms no part of this invention because such elements and their operation and control are well known to the art. The hydraulic circuitry or system 71, including proportionate flow control valves for maintaining the controlled horizontal descent of the carrier 13 to the mold closed position, and computer and sensor center 72 interconnected at 73 for transmission of operating signals therebetween is illustrated schematically in Figure IB. Connection 74 schematically represents the hydraulic conduits operatively connecting cylinders 16, 17, 30 with their

hydraulic sources and connection 75 schematically represents the circuits operatively connecting sensors 49, 50, 62 and motor 55 with their power sources and computer control for effecting the operating sequences described above.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the specific details described herein, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways, and that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of describing the invention claimed in the appended claims.