Patent ID: 6491509
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
An injection molding machine comprising:a mold having at least two mold cavities; at least one shooting pot, each said shooting pot fluidly communicating with at least two of said mold cavities, said shooting pot having an injection plunger for expressing an injectable material from said shooting pot into said at least two of said mold cavities; a clamp unit for clamping said mold, said clamp unit including a stationary platen and a moveable platen disposed on opposite sides of said mold; an extruder for supplying said material to each said shooting pot, said extruder fluidly communicating with said mold cavity through said shooting pots; a shooting pot actuator connected to at least one of said shooting pots, each said shooting pot actuator being disposed exterior to said clamping unit and extending through one of said platens, each said shooting pot actuator including at least one pusher having (i) a retracted position limiting movement of a respective of said injection plungers as each said shooting pot is charged, and (ii) moveable to a second position to advance said respective of said injection plungers and express a metered amount of material from said shooting pots; a linear position sensor operably attached to a control system, for sensing each said actuator; and, a drive means responsive to said control system and operable to move said at least one pusher between said retracted and second positions.