Method and system for generating, processing and displaying an indicator of performance of an injection molding machine

There is disclosed a method (400) of operating a molding system (100), the method (400) executable by a controller (140) of the molding system (100). The method comprises appreciating (402) a plurality of operational parameters associated with the molding system (100); based on at least a sub-set of the plurality of operational parameters, generating (404) a machine performance index, the machine performance index being a single value representative of the at least a sub-set of the plurality of operational parameters and being instrumental in enabling an operator of the molding system (100) to appreciate an economic productivity factor associated therewith; causing (406) the machine performance index to be displayed on an interface of the controller (140).

Molding-system injection unit

DETECTION OF CHANGE IN ORIENTATION OF CENTRAL AXIS OF PLATEN ASSEMBLY

A molding system (), comprising: a platen assembly () having: (i) a mold-support face (), and (ii) a central axis () extending orthogonally from the mold-support face (); and a detection assembly () being positioned relative to the central axis (), the detection assembly () being configured to detect, at least in part, an amount of change in orientation of the central axis (). 1100. A molding system () , comprising:{'b': 102', '104', '106', '104, 'a platen assembly () having: (i) a mold-support face (), and (ii) a central axis () extending orthogonally from the mold-support face (); and'}{'b': 108', '106', '108', '106, 'a detection assembly () being positioned relative to the central axis (), the detection assembly () being configured to detect, at least in part, a change in orientation of the central axis ().'}2100. The molding system () of claim 1 , further comprising:{'b': 110', '102', '106, 'a cantilevered member () extending from the platen assembly () along the central axis (), and'}{'b': 108', '102', '108', '110', '108', '110, 'wherein the detection assembly () is positioned set apart from the platen assembly (), and the detection assembly () is positioned relative to the cantilevered member (), the detection assembly () is configured to detect, at least in part, the change in orientation of the cantilevered member ().'}3100. The molding system () of claim 1 , wherein:{'b': 104', '206', '204', '206', '106', '206', '204, 'the mold-support face () includes: (i) a stationary mold-support face (); and (ii) a movable mold-support face () facing the stationary mold-support face (), and detection of change in orientation of the central axis () is a measure of mold-face parallelism between the stationary mold-support face () and the movable mold-support face ().'}4100. The molding system () of claim 2 , wherein:{'b': 104', '204', '206', '204', '206', '207, 'the mold-support face () includes a movable mold-support face () facing a stationary mold-support face (), the ...

Molding-system injection unit

A method and system for generating, processing and displaying an indicator of performance of an injection molding machine

There is disclosed a method ( 400 ) of operating a molding system ( 100 ), the method ( 400 ) executable by a controller ( 140 ) of the molding system ( 100 ). The method comprises appreciating ( 402 ) a plurality of operational parameters associated with the molding system ( 100 ); based on at least a sub-set of the plurality of operational parameters, generating ( 404 ) a machine performance index, the machine performance index being a single value representative of the at least a sub-set of the plurality of operational parameters and being instrumental in enabling an operator of the molding system ( 100 ) to appreciate an economic productivity factor associated therewith; causing ( 406 ) the machine performance index to be displayed on an interface of the controller ( 140 ).

Barrel connector for an injection unit

A barrel coupler is provided to mount a barrel to a barrel housing for an injection unit of a molding machine. The barrel housing defines an aperture which provides access to a chamber. The barrel extends through the aperture into the housing. The barrel coupler is mounted to an end portion of the barrel within the chamber. The barrel coupler and the end portion of the barrel cooperate to define a piston stop for an injection piston.

A method and system for generating, processing and displaying an indicator of performance of an injection molding machine

There is disclosed a method (400) of operating a molding system (100), the method (400) executable by a controller (140) of the molding system (100). The method comprises appreciating (402) a plurality of operational parameters associated with the molding system (100); based on at least a sub-set of the plurality of operational parameters, generating (404) a machine performance index, the machine performance index being a single value representative of the at least a sub-set of the plurality of operational parameters and being instrumental in enabling an operator of the molding system (100) to appreciate an economic productivity factor associated therewith; causing (406) the machine performance index to be displayed on an interface of the controller (140).

Piston assembly insert

An insert for a piston chamber is provided. The piston chamber is adapted to be subdivided into two portions by a first piston cylinder sized for fluid-tight engagement against an inner diameter of the piston chamber. The piston chamber is further adapted to be selectively pressurized in one of the two portions to effect one of forward motion and rearward motion of the first piston cylinder and selectively pressurized in the other of the two portions to effect the other of forward motion and rearward motion. The insert allows the use of a substitute second piston cylinder where the insert is mounted within and partially fill the piston chamber so that when the second piston cylinder (sized smaller than the inner diameter of the piston chamber) is located therewithin, then selectively pressurizing the piston chamber effects one of forward motion and rearward motion of the second piston cylinder.