Patent ID: 9694527
Date: 2017-07-04
CPC Classifications: B29C,B29K

Claim:
1. A method of using an injection molding machine, the method comprising: first, injection molding using a first injection molding machine, a first mold, and a native controller to injection mold production versions of a plastic object according to an original mold cycle for the first mold, the first injection molding machine including an injection unit, a nozzle in fluid communication with the injection unit, and the first mold, which is in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein the native controller is programmed with at least a portion of the original mold cycle, wherein the original mold cycle has an original average cycle time, and wherein the native controller at least partially controls injection pressures of the machine according to the original mold cycle; and second, injection molding using a second injection molding machine, a second mold, the native controller, and a secondary, retrofit controller that is distinct from the native controller to injection mold production versions of the plastic object according to a retrofit mold cycle for the second mold, the second injection molding machine including an injection unit, a nozzle in fluid communication with the injection unit, and the second mold, which is in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein the retrofit controller is programmed with at least a portion of the retrofit mold cycle, wherein the retrofit mold cycle has a retrofit average cycle time, wherein the retrofit controller at least partially controls injecting plastic into the second mold of the second injection molding machine according to the retrofit mold cycle, wherein the native controller controls at least one of cooling the plastic object, opening the mold, ejecting the molded object, closing the mold, and recovering the second injection molding machine for a new cycle; wherein the retrofit average cycle time is 5-35% shorter than the original average cycle time.