Patent Publication Number: US-2022219362-A1

Title: Mold and molding system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/849,725, which was filed on May 17, 2019. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an injection molding system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Manufacturing of molded parts by an injection molding machine includes injecting a resin into a mold after clamping the mold, pressing the resin into the mold at a high pressure in order to compensate for a volume decrease due to solidification of the resin, keeping the molded part in the mold until the resin solidifies, and ejecting the molded part from the mold. 
     In the above-described molding approach, a method that uses two molds with one injection molding machine in order to enhance productivity has been proposed. For example, US 2018/0009146/Japanese patent publication No. 2018-001738/VN20160002505 are seen to discuss a system in which conveying devices  3 A and  3 B are arranged on both sides of an injection molding machine  2 . In this system, molded parts are manufactured while alternating a plurality of molds by the conveying devices  3 A and  3 B for the one injection molding machine  2 .  FIG. 1  illustrates an injection molding system of US 2018/0009146/Japanese patent publication No. 2018-001738/VN20160002505. 
     In this system, cooling of the molds  100 A or  100 B is performed on the conveying machines  3 A or  3 B outside of the injection molding machine  2 . During cooling of one of the molds  100 A/ 100 B, each process of molded part ejection→clamping→injection/dwelling is performed by the injection molding machine  2  for the other mold  100 A/ 100 B. Since opening and molded part ejection are performed by the injection molding machine  2 , the conveying machines  3 A and  3 B do not need a function for opening and a function for molded part ejection. 
     This enables manufacture of the molded part P while alternating the plurality of the molds by the one injection molding machine  2 . This can reduce the overall cost of the system. 
     If the time required for all processes from the start of the mold replacement process, to the other mold ejecting process, injection process, and dwelling process, and up until completion of the mold replacement process once again fits into the time required for cooling one of the molds, then productivity compared to normal molding is improved by a maximum of two times. That is, in addition to suppressing cost increases, there is the merit that it is possible to realize high productivity. 
     A technique for heat and cool molding is known. In this technique, the mold is heated in advance to a temperature higher than the thermal deformation temperature of the resin, and after the resin is injected into the mold, the mold is cooled. While this technique can prevent appearance defects of molded parts, it requires an apparatus for forced heating and cooling. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the molding process is longer than that of a typical molding method. 
     What is needed is a technique for heat and cool molding in an injection molding system where multiple molds are alternated. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a mold for an injection molding system including an injection molding machine, a conveying apparatus configured to convey a mold to a molding operation position in the injection molding machine, and a driving unit configured to provide power for moving the mold, the mold including a fixed mold, a movable mold, and a clamping plate fixed to the fixed mold, wherein the improvement to the mold includes a first attachment area for transmitting the power from the driving unit to the mold is provided on the clamping plate and in an extending portion that extends downward from the fixed mold or on the clamping plate and in a protruding portion that protrudes from the fixed mold in a conveyance direction of the mold and located lower than a middle of the clamping plate. 
     This and other embodiments, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, and provided claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an injection molding system. 
         FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate a configuration of a mold. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a mold. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a mold. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a mold. 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates a mold. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a variation of a linking unit used in various types of molds. 
         FIGS. 5-7  illustrate an attachment for fixing a rod of a conveyance unit with the linking unit. 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate an injection molding system. 
     
    
    
     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. Moreover, while the subject disclosure will now be 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. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     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. 
     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 (upright) direction with respect to the ground. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates injection molding system  1  of US 2018/0009146/Japanese patent publication No. 2018-001738/VN20160002505 and are being provided herein for information/description purposes only. 
     The injection molding system  1  includes an injection molding machine  2 , conveying machines  3 A and  3 B, and a control apparatus  4 . The injection molding system  1  manufactures a molded part while alternating a plurality of molds using the conveying machines  3 A and  3 B for the one injection molding machine  2 . Two molds,  100 A and  100 B are used. 
     The mold  100 A/ 100 B is a pair of a fixed mold  101  and a movable mold  102 , which is opened/closed in relation to the fixed mold  101 . The molded part is molded by injecting a molten resin into a cavity formed between the fixed mold  101  and the movable mold  102 . Clamping plates  101   a  and  102   a  are respectively fixed to the fixed mold  101  and the movable mold  102 . The clamping plates  101   a  and  102   a  are used to lock the mold  100 A/ 100 B to a molding operation position  11  (mold clamping position) of the injection molding machine. 
     For the mold  100 A/ 100 B, a self-closing unit  103  is provided for maintaining a closed state between the fixed mold  101  and the movable mold  102 . The self-closing unit  103  enables preventing the mold  100 A/ 100 B from opening after unloading the mold  100 A/ 100 B from the injection molding machine  2 . The self-closing unit  103  maintains the mold  100 A/ 100 B in a closed state using a magnetic force. The self-closing unit  103  located at a plurality of locations along opposing surfaces of the fixed mold  101  and the movable mold  102 . The self-closing unit  103  is a combination of an element on the side of the fixed mold  101  and an element on the side of the movable mold  102 . For the self-closing unit  103 , typically two or more pair are installed for one of the molds  100 A and  100 B. 
     A conveying machine  3 A loads and unloads the mold  100 A onto/from the molding operation position  11  of the injection molding machine  2 . A conveying machine  3 B loads and unloads the mold  100 B onto/from the molding operation position  11 . The conveying machine  3 A, the injection molding machine  2 , and the conveying machine  3 B are arranged to be lined up in this order in the X-axis direction. In other words, the conveying machine  3 A and the conveying machine  3 B are arranged laterally with respect to the injection molding machine  2  to sandwich the injection molding machine  2  in the X-axis direction. The conveying machines  3 A and  3 B are arranged to face each other, and the conveying machine  3 A is arranged on one side laterally of the injection molding machine  2 , and the conveying machine  3 B is arranged on the other side respectively adjacent. The molding operation position  11  is positioned between the conveying machine  3 A and the conveying machine  3 B. The conveying machines  3 A and  3 B respectively include a frame  30 , a conveyance unit  31 , a plurality of rollers  32 , and a plurality of rollers  33 . 
     The frame  30  is a skeleton of the conveying machine  3 A and  3 B, and supports the conveyance unit  31 , and the pluralities of rollers  32  and  33 . The conveyance unit  31  is an apparatus that moves the mold  100 A/ 100 B back and forth in the X-axis direction, and that removes and inserts the mold  100 A/ 100 B in relation to the molding operation position  11 . 
     The conveyance unit  31  is an electrically driven cylinder with a motor as a driving source, and includes a rod that moves forward/backward in relation to the cylinder. The cylinder is fixed to the frame  30 , and the fixed mold  101  is fixed to the edge portion of the rod. For the conveyance unit  31  both a fluid actuator and an electric actuator can be used, where the electric actuator can provide better precision of control of the position or the speed when conveying the mold  100 A/ 100 B. The fluid actuator can be an oil hydraulic cylinder, or an air cylinder, for example. The electric actuator can, in addition to an electrically driven cylinder, be a rack-and-pinion mechanism with a motor as the driving source, a ball screw mechanism with a motor as the driving source, or the like. 
     The conveyance unit  31  is arranged independently for each of the conveying machines  3 A and  3 B. However, a common support member that supports the molds  100 A and  100 B can be used, and a single common conveyance unit  31  can be arranged for this support member. A case where the conveyance unit  31  is arranged independently for each of the conveying machines  3 A and  3 B enables handling cases where a movement strokes differ between the mold  100 A and the mold  100 B when conveying. For example, a case in which molds cannot be conveyed simultaneously since the widths of the molds (the width in the X direction) differ or the thickness of the molds (the width in the Y direction) differ. 
     The plurality rollers  32  configure a row of rollers arranged in the X-axis direction, where two rows are configured separated in the Y-axis direction. The plurality of rollers  32  rotate around the axis of revolution in the Z-axis direction, and guide movement in the X-axis direction of the mold  100 A/ 100 B contacting the side surfaces of the mold  100 A/ 100 B (the side surfaces of the clamping plates  101   a  and  102   a ) and supporting the mold  100 A/ 100 B from the side. The plurality rollers  33  configure a row of rollers arranged in the X-axis direction, where two rows are configured separated in the Y-axis direction. The plurality of rollers  33  rotate around the axis of revolution in the Y direction, and cause movement in the X direction of the mold  100 A/ 100 B to be smooth, supporting the bottom surfaces of the mold  100 A/ 100 B (the bottom surfaces of the clamping plates  101   a  and  102   a ) and supporting the mold  100 A/ 100 B from below. 
     The control apparatus  4  includes a controller  41  for controlling the injection molding machine  2 , a controller  42 A for controlling the conveying machine  3 A, and a controller  42 B for controlling the conveying machine  3 B. Each of the controllers  41 ,  42 A and  42 B includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a storage device such as a hard disk, and interfaces connected to sensors or actuators (not illustrated). The processor executes programs stored in the storage device. An example of a program (control) that the controller  41  executes is described below. The controller  41  is communicably connected with the controllers  42 A and  42 B, and provides instructions related to the conveyance of the mold  100 A/ 100 B to the controllers  42 A and  42 B. The controllers  42 A and  42 B, if loading and unloading of the mold  100 A/ 100 B terminates, transmit a signal for operation completion to the controller  41 . In addition, the controllers  42 A and  42 B transmit an emergency stop signal at a time of an abnormal occurrence to the controller  41 . 
     A controller is arranged for each of the injection molding machine  2 , the conveying machine  3 A, and the conveying machine  3 B, but one controller can control all three machines. The conveying machine  3 A and the conveying machine  3 B can be controlled by a single controller for more reliable and collaborative operation. 
       FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate a configuration of a mold  100  according to conventional technology. For description purposes, reference number  100  will be used for the mold in the following description of  FIGS. 2A-2D . 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of the mold  100 . The mold  100  includes a fixed mold  101  and a movable mold  102 . A clamping plate  101   a  is fixed to the fixed mold  101  and a clamping plate  102   a  is fixed to the movable mold  102 . A linking unit  150  is attached to the fixed mold  101 , and the fixed mold  101  is linked to the conveyance unit  31  via the linking unit  150 . 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates the mold  100  as viewed from the direction of the conveyance unit  31  that is linked to the mold  100 . An attachment area where the linking unit  31  is attached does not extend from the fixed mold  101  to the movable mold  102 , so the linking unit  150  can be attached to a stable area on the fixed mold  101 . 
       FIG. 2C  illustrates a configuration where the fixed mold  101  is thicker than the movable mold  102 . In this configuration, the attachment area extends from the fixed mold  101  to the movable mold  102 , so the linking unit  150  cannot be attached to the stable area on the fixed mold  101 . 
       FIG. 2D  illustrates a configuration of the mold  100  that handles a stack molding method. The mold  100  includes a fixed mold  101 , a movable mold  102 - 1 , and a movable mold  102 - 2 . The stack molding method is a method where injection molding is performed at two places, a cavity is formed between the fixed mold  101  and the movable mold  102 - 1 , and a cavity is formed between the movable mold  102 - 1  and the movable mold  102 - 2 . 
     In a case of the configuration in  FIG. 2D , the attachment area extends from the fixed mold  101  to the movable mold  102 - 2 , so the linking unit  150  cannot be attached to the stable area on the fixed mold  101 . 
     As described above, the configuration that the linking unit  150  is attached to the fixed mold  101  has an issue that it is difficult to handle various types of molds, like those illustrated in  FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 2D . 
       FIGS. 3A-3D  illustrate a mold according to an exemplary embodiment. For description purposes, only mode  100 A will be described, but the present embodiment is applicable to mold  100 B as well. 
     In  FIG. 3A , the mold  100 A includes a fixed mold  101 , a movable mold  102 - 1 , a movable mold  102 - 2 , a clamping plate  101   a , and a clamping plate  102   a . The clamping plate  101   a  is fixed to the fixed mold  101 , and the clamping plate  102   a  is fixed to the movable mold  102 - 1 . The mold  100 A includes three molds and can be used in the stack molding method. 
     In the present embodiment, the linking unit  151  is attached to the clamping plate  101   a . The clamping plate  101   a  fixed to the fixed mold  101  and extends downward from the fixed mold  101 . There is an attachment area in the extending portion is not illustrated in  FIG. 3A  because it is blocked from view by the linking unit  151 . A structure that can be attached with the linking unit  151  is located in the attachment area. The structure can be a screw hole or where the linking unit  151  can fit. 
     The linking unit  151  is attached to the attachment area of the clamping plate  101   a  via a screw (not illustrated), and can easily be detached from the attachment area of the clamping plate  101   a . This makes it convenient when the mold  100 A is exchanged. With respect to the mold  100 A as illustrated in  FIG. 3A , there is a space at the bottom of the clamping plate  101   a , where this space is used as the attachment area. Therefore, there is no need to customize the mold  100 A for connection with the conveyance unit  31 . 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the mold  100 A. In the present embodiment, the clamping plate  101  fixed to fixed mold  101  protrudes in X-axis direction from the fixed mold  101 . The protruding portion includes an attachment area. In a case where the mold  100 A is smaller in size compared to the injection molding machine  2  is used, a space can exist in a lateral direction (X-axis direction) in the clamping plate  101   a . This space is used as the attachment area. Therefore, there is no need to customize the mold  100 A for connection with the conveyance unit  31 . 
     If an actuator included in the conveyance unit  31  is provided below the mold  100 A, it is better to provide the linking unit  151  at a position lower than the middle of the clamping plate  101 A in a Z-axis direction for efficiently moving the mold  100 A. 
     In the above-described embodiment, there are two conveyance units  31  in the injection molding system  1 , but this is not seen to be limiting. In another exemplary embodiment, only one conveyance unit  31  can be provided to move the molds  100 A and  100 B. In this embodiment, an additional linking unit is provided between the molds  100 A and  100 B.  FIG. 3C  and  FIG. 3D  respectively illustrate the mold  100 A in relation to the linking unit  151  and the linking unit  152 , which are provided at both sides of the clamping plate  101 A in the X-axis direction.  FIG. 3C  corresponds to  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3D  corresponds to  FIG. 3B . 
     One of the linking units is used for linking the mold  100 A and the conveyance unit  31 , while the linking unit is used for linking the molds  100 A and  100 B. Variations of the linking unit in various types of molds is described below with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , positions of the linking unit  401  and the linking unit  402 , which can be attached to a mold  400  are illustrated by dotted lines. The linking unit  401  and the linking unit  402  can be attached to molds of the same type and to molds of different types. This enables changing the linking unit that is attached to the mold based on the type of the mold or the variation of the linking unit. 
       FIGS. 5-7  illustrate an attachment for fixing the rod of the conveyance unit  31  and the linking unit with each other that enables handling the variation of the linking unit. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an attachment for connecting an actuator with a mold that is divided into three sections so that a cold runner can be provided in the mold. The upper left figure in  FIG. 5  illustrates positional relationships of a mold  500 , a linking unit  501 , and a rod  511  of the actuator in the conveyance unit  31  that conveys the mold  500 . The lower left figure in  FIG. 5  illustrates an appearance, viewed from above in a vertical direction, of the linking unit  501 , the rod  511 , and an attachment  521  that fixes the rod  511  and the linking unit  501  to each other. The upper right figure in  FIG. 5  illustrates positional relationships of a mold  550 , a linking unit  551 , and a rod  511  of the actuator in the conveyance unit  31  that conveys the mold  550 . The lower right figure in  FIG. 5  illustrates an appearance, viewed from above in the vertical direction, of the linking unit  551 , rod  511 , and an attachment  571  that fixes the rod  511  and the linking unit  551  to each other. Each of the molds  500  and  550  include the fixed mold and the movable mold as well as the clamping plates, similar to the mold  100  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     In the figures on the left-side of  FIG. 5 , one side of the attachment  521  is fixed to the linking unit  501  that is fixed to the mold  500 , and another side of the attachment  521  is attachably/detachably fixed to the rod  511  of the actuator in the conveyance unit  31 . The attachment  521  is provided in the conveying machine  3 . The linking unit  501  is, for example, located just below the fixed mold  101 , similar to the linking unit  150  in  FIG. 3A . The linking unit  501  positioned lengthwise in the Y-axis direction on the Y-Z plane. 
     In the figures on the right-side of  FIG. 5 , one side of the attachment  571  is fixed to the linking unit  551  that is fixed to the mold  550 , and another side of the attachment  571  is attachably/detachably fixed to the rod  511  of the actuator in the conveyance unit  31 . The attachment  571  is provided in the conveying machine  3 . The linking unit  551  is located closer to the conveying machine  3  than the fixed mold  101 . The linking unit  551  is positioned lengthwise in the Z-axis direction in the X-Z plane. 
     To illustrate examples of the positional relationships with respect to different linking units, an area  502 ′ represents the area where a different linking unit occupies, while and an area  501 ′ represents the area where a different linking unit occupies. 
     It is preferable that the conveying machine  3  can handle both the linking unit  501  and the linking unit that occupies area  502 ′. To achieve this, the conveying machine  3  is located so that, viewed in the X-axis direction, i.e., the conveyance direction of the mold  500 , the center axis of the rod  511  overlaps an area where the linking unit always exists. In the figure on the left-side of  FIG. 5 , the area where the linking unit always exists is an area where the linking unit  501  and the area  502 ′ overlap. By forming the linking unit of the mold so that areas area  502 ′ and  501 ′ always exist, the injection molding machine  2  with the conveying machine  3  is available. 
     In the figures in the lower part of  FIG. 5 , a position of an end surface of the mold  500 / 550  on a side of the conveyance unit  31  is illustrated by dotted line  533 . A position of an end surface of the linking unit  501  on the side of the conveyance unit  31  is illustrated by dotted line  531 . A position of an end surface of the linking unit  551  on the side of the conveyance unit  31  is illustrated by dotted line  532 . A position of an end surface of the rod  511  on a side of the mold  500 / 550  is illustrated by dotted line  534 . 
     A distance L 1  between the dotted line  531  and the dotted line  533  is different from a distance L 2  between the dotted line  532  and the dotted line  533 . That is, the distance L 1  between the end surface of the mold  500  and the end surface of the linking unit  501  is different than the distance L 2  between the end surface of the mold  550  and the end surface of the linking unit  551 . The difference of the distance is adjusted by the attachment  521  and the attachment  571 . A thickness of the attachment  521  is different from a thickness of the attachment  571  in the X-axis direction. This difference of the thickness is equal to L 1 -L 2 . The distance between the end surface of the rod  511  and the end surface of the mold  500 / 550 , which is connected with the rod  511 , on the side of the conveying machine  3 , is always constant. As a result, conveyance control for the mold  500 / 550  by the conveying machine  3  is standardized and simplified. 
     By providing attachments, which enable connecting a rod with different molds and different linking units, for each of the linking units, a plurality of molds can be used with a single conveying machine. This facilitates manufacturing conveying machines because standardization of the design for conveying machines can become possible. In addition, the usability of injection molding machines improves because a plurality of molds can be used in the injection molding machines regardless of what conveying machines are used. 
       FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  illustrate an additional example of an attachment for connecting a conveying machine with a mold. The upper left figure in  FIG. 6  illustrates positional relationships of the mold  500 , the linking unit  501 , and the rod  611  of the actuator in the conveying machine that conveys the mold  500 . The lower left figure in  FIG. 6  illustrates an appearance, viewed from above in a vertical direction, of the linking unit  501 , the rod  611 , and an attachment  621  that fixes the rod  611  and the linking unit  501  to each other. The upper right figure in  FIG. 6  illustrates positional relationships of a mold  550 , a linking unit  551 , and a rod  611  of the actuator in the conveying machine that conveys the mold  550 . The lower right figure in  FIG. 6  illustrates an appearance, viewed from above in the vertical direction, of the linking unit  551 , rod  611 , and an attachment  671  that fixes the rod  611  and the linking unit  551  to each other. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the conveying machine is a conveying machine that is mainly used for a mold that is divided into three sections so that a cold runner can be provided in the mold. A position of the rod  611  of the actuator in the conveying machine is located closer to a fixed mold (not illustrated) than the middle of the mold  500 / 550  when viewed in the X-axis direction, i.e., the conveyance direction of the mold  500 / 550  or the longitudinal direction of the rod  611 . The attachment  621  is an attachment that connects the rod  611  with the mold  500  that is divided into three sections, and the attachment  671  is an attachment that connects the rod  611  with the mold  550  that is divided into three sections. 
     In the example illustrated in the left-side of  FIG. 6 , the center axis of the rod  611  is at a position that is located at a −Y-axis direction side and a +Z-axis direction side (above in the vertical direction) relative to the linking unit  501 . To compensate the positional deviation in a Y-axis direction and a Z-axis direction, the attachment  621  forms an L-shape, and an extending portion of the attachment  621  in the Z-axis direction and the rod  611  are fixed together. An extending portion of the attachment  621  in the Y-axis direction and the linking unit  501  are fixed together. 
     In the example illustrated in the right-side of  FIG. 6 , the center axis of the rod  611  is at a position that is located at a −Y-axis direction side (opening direction of the mold) relative to the linking unit  551 . To compensate the positional deviation in a Y-axis direction, the attachment  621  has an extending portion in the Y-axis direction, and a −Y-axis side of the extending portion of the attachment  621  and the rod  611  are fixed together. A +Y-axis side of the extending portion of the attachment  621  and the linking unit  551  are fixed together. 
     In the example illustrated in the lower part of  FIG. 6 , the dotted lines  531 ,  532 ,  533  are the same as the dotted lines  531 ,  532 ,  533  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , but an end surface of the rod  611  on a side of the mold  500 / 550  is illustrated by a dotted line  634 . A difference of the thickness is equal to L 1 -L 2 . The distance between the end surface of the rod  611  and the end surface of the mold  500 / 550 , which is connected with the rod  611 , on the side of the conveying machine is always constant. As a result, the conveyance control for the mold  500 / 550  by the conveying machine is standardized and simplified. 
     By providing the attachments, which enable connecting a rod with different molds and different linking units, for each of the linking units, a plurality of molds can be used with a single conveying machine. This facilitates manufacturing conveying machines because standardization of the design for conveying machines can become possible. In addition, the usability of injection molding machines improves because a plurality of molds can be used in the injection molding machines regardless of what conveying machines are used. The versatility of the conveying machines improve because the positional deviation between the center axis of the rod and the linking unit in the Y-axis and the Z-axis directions is compensated. 
     An upper figure in  FIG. 7  illustrates positional relationships of a mold  700 , which is divided into two sections, a rod  611  in a conveying machine, and a linking unit  701 . A lower figure in  FIG. 7  illustrates a physical connection relationship of the rod  611 , the linking unit  701 , and an attachment  721 , which fixes the rod  611  and the linking unit  701  to each other. The mold  700  is divided into two sections to enable a hot runner to be provided in the mold  700 . The mold  700  connects with a side surface of a fixed mold. The linking unit  701  is located at a position that corresponds to the rod  611 , on the side surface of the mold  700 . The linking unit  701  is connected with the attachment  721 . 
     In the lower figure in  FIG. 7 , the side surface of the mold  700  on the side of the conveying machine is illustrated by the dotted line  533 . The end surface of the rod  611  is illustrated by the dotted line  634 . In a case where a distance L between the end surface of the rod  611  and the mold  700  is a unique value for the conveying machine, the thickness of the attachment  721  in the conveyance direction (X-axis direction) is set to the thickness that is obtained by subtracting the thickness of the linking unit  701  from the distance L. 
     Using the attachments  621 ,  671 , and  721  enables execution of common control for conveying a mold regardless of the type of mold (divided number). More specifically, a distance between a center of a mold (or a position corresponding to a nozzle of the injection molding system) and the side surface of the mold is needed as a unique value of the mold. Other variations from a linking unit attached to the mold are compensated with a shape of an attachment. Therefore, conveyance control that does not depend on the variations can be realized. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in a case where a center axis of a rod of an actuator and the linking unit do not overlap, there is a possibility that power transmitted from the actuator via the rod could influence conveyance of the mold. If this influence is unavoidable, it is preferable to use the conveying machine for the mold that is divided into three sections as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . If this influence does not become an issue, using the attachment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the versatility of the conveying machine improves. 
     According to the above-described exemplary embodiments, the linking unit is located on a surface on which the fixed mold is located. According to another exemplary embodiment, the linking unit can be located on surfaces of the clamping plate  101   a  other than the surface that is in contact with the fixed platen  61  and is, for example, located on a side surface or a top surface of the clamping plate  61 . The configuration in which the linking unit is attached on the side surface, i.e., a surface parallel to a Y-Z plane in  FIG. 3B ) may be useful for a mold in which a contacting area between the fixed mold  101  and the movable mold  102  is so large that the linking unit cannot be attached on a surface on which the fixed mold is located. 
     According to some of the above-described exemplary embodiments, the linking unit is provided at the mold and the attachment is provided between the rod and the linking unit. The attachment may not be needed if the linking unit is designed with standardization of connection between the linking part and the rod. The linking unit can be designed so that some parameters are standardized in various molds. The parameters can include an offset in the X-axis direction of the linking unit from the end face to be connected to the actuator, and a size and a position of an area of end face, in the Y-Z plane, of the linking unit. In this case, the linking unit functions as the attachment as well. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, while there may be no attachment needed for a linking unit designed in consideration of the above-described standardization, an attachment is still needed for a special linking unit designed differently from the standardized linking unit due to some special attributes of a mold. According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a first type of attachment is used for molds with linking units designed in consideration of the standardization between the rod and the linking unit, and a second type of attachment is used for a mold with a special linking unit. 
     Another exemplary embodiment is described with reference to  FIGS. 8A-8C . The upper part of  FIG. 8A  is an illustration of the mold  100  viewed in an X-axis direction, which is a conveying direction of the mold. The lower part of  FIG. 8A  is an illustration of a rod  811  of an actuator, a linking unit  801  and a linking mechanism  802 , viewed vertically from above. In the present embodiment, a linking unit  801  is fixed to the mold  100 , and a linking mechanism  802  is fixed to the rod  811 . The linking unit  801  is configured to be slidably engaged with the linking mechanism  802  in the Y-axis direction. The linking unit  801  can be, for example, fixed to a fixed mold, and does not need to be fixed to the clamping plate  101   a , even though the mold is split into three sections when used. 
     The linking unit  801  includes a mold fix part  8011  fixed to the mold  100 , with a cross-section S in the Y-Z plane, intersecting the conveying direction, and includes a slide part  8012  that is configured to be slidable with respect to the linking mechanism  802  in the Y-axis direction. The slide part  8012  also includes a first part having a cross-section S 1  smaller than ae cross-section S, and includes a second part having a cross-section S 2  larger than the cross-section S 1 . A majority of the first part and the entire second part are configured to exist in a hollow  8021  formed on the linking mechanism  802 . The hollow  8021  includes an opening with a size corresponding to the first part, and an inner area with a size to accommodate the second part. 
       FIGS. 8B and 8C  illustrate the mold fix part  8011  in solid lines and the hollow  8021  in dotted lines.  FIG. 8B  illustrates the cross-section of a plane parallel to the Y-axis and intersecting the central axis of the rod  811 ,  FIG. 8C  illustrates the cross-section of a plane parallel to the X-axis and intersecting the central axis of the rod  811 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 8B and 8C , the width of the opening in the Z-axis direction is larger than the width of the first part of the slide part  8012  in the Z-axis direction, but smaller than the width of the second part in the Z-axis direction, which restricts the movement of the slide part in the X-axis and Z-axis directions. Both the width of the opening and the inner area in the Y-axis direction are larger than each of the widths of the first part and the second part in the Y-axis direction, which enables the slide part  8012  to slide in the Y-axis direction. 
     The linking mechanism  802  of the exemplary embodiments can also include one or more stoppers (not illustrated) insertable into and retractable from the inner area. The movement of the slide part  8012  in the Y-axis direction can be restricted by inserting the stopper when the mold  100  is being conveyed. This prevents the linking unit  801  from sliding more than expected. 
     The linking unit  801  and the linking mechanism  802  enable the linking unit  801  to slide with respect to the linking mechanism  802  while the connection between the linking unit  801  and the linking mechanism  802  exists, even though the fixed mold  101  is spaced apart in a predetermined distance from the fixed platen  61 . This structure enables the central axis of the rod  811  to be located near the center plane of the mold  100 , which reduces the force applied from the rod  811  to the mold  100 . The center plane is a plane parallel to the X-Z plane (parallel to the fixed platen  61  and the moveable platen  62 ) and intersecting the center of the mold  100 . 
     According to still another exemplary embodiment, the linking unit  801  can be fixed on the movable mold  102  or the clamping plate  102   a  on the movable mold&#39;s  102  side. The slidable range of the slide part  8012  may need to be greater than that of the slide part attached on the fixed mold  101 . 
     According to still yet another exemplary embodiment, a connection mechanism can be provided between the mold  100 A/ 100 B and the rod of the actuator to automatically engage and/or disengage the mold  100 A/ 100 B and the rod. The connection mechanism can include a lock mechanism configured to be locked and unlocked electronically. For example, the control apparatus  4  instructs the lock mechanism to disengage the connection between the mold and the rod in response to an operator&#39;s selection of a switch, after the conveying machine  3  finishes conveying the mold into the molding operation position  11  in the injection molding machine  2 . The control apparatus  4  instructs the lock mechanism to engage the connection between the mold  100 A/ 100 B and the rod in response to an operator&#39;s selection of another switch, after the injection molding with the mold  100 A/ 100 B is completed. With this configuration the linking unit can be attached on components other than the clamping plate  101   a , which are spaced apart from the fixed platens  61 . 
     Definitions 
     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. 
     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. 
     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&#39;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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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 above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     Combinations of any exemplary embodiments disclosed above are also included as embodiments of the present disclosure. While the above-described exemplary embodiments discuss illustrative embodiments, these embodiments are not seen to be limiting.