Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd., Bolton, Ontario, has filed a patent application for a pre-manifold melt-conditioning system that is designed to provide a uniform flow front as the plastic melt enters a cavity.
The patent application states: "It is generally known that a melt, typically a molten molding material such as, for example, PET, is not thermally homogeneous as it enters a mold cavity … shear heating of the melt creates a nonuniform thermal flow-front having a boundary layer of hot melt adjacent to a surface of the melt flow channel, which surrounds a core of cooler melt at the center of the melt flow channel."
According to the application, static mixers — which are sometimes used as melt conditioners — "cannot achieve a perfectly uniform thermal flow-front due to inefficiencies in mixing."
Patent Application 20170036382; published Feb. 9
In other patent news:
Artificial intelligence. Fanuc Corp., which has been offering artificial intelligence for more than a decade on robots and Roboshot mold/ejector protection and metering/injection technology, is expanding the concept to broader machine control. The injection molding machine automatically maintains optimum operating conditions, according to a new patent application from the Oshino, Japan, company. The patent application says that even a skilled operator can have difficulty maintaining the ideal conditions for molding high-quality parts while minimizing power consumption. Fanuc and Milacron LLC, Cincinnati, jointly developed the Roboshot line of injection molding presses, introduced in the 1990s.
Patent application 20170031330; published Feb. 2
Injection stretch blow molding tooling. R&D Tool & Engineering Co. of Lee's Summit, Mo., has invented an approach to blow mold containers with integral handles that are secured at two points. A plunger is inserted into the blow cavity to contact the handle of the parison. This allows a bend in an end of the handle, according to the patent application.
Patent application 20170021551; published Jan. 26
Profile extrusion. PE or PU insulation is integrated into window and door profiles during extrusion in a new process that could include as many as four extruders. Usually, insulation is added to hollow profiles following extrusion. The system would be more cost-effective, according to a patent application filed by Mikron Industries Inc., Kent, Wash. Profiles produced with the process are described as recyclable and fully weldable with currently used equipment.
Patent application 20170037673; published Feb. 9
Color measurement. A new technology from X-Rite Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., allows a spectrophotometer to target a specific region of interest (ROI) for color measurement. The patent application states: "A sample may have different portions with different colors, and a particular ROI may be desired to be measured by a user. It would be desirable for a user to have an easy way to determine the precise location of the sample to be measured." In the invention, the spectrophotometer's targeting system includes at least one measurement channel and at least one illumination channel.
Patent application 20170052066; published Feb. 23
Injection molding. Sodick has filed a patent application for an injection molding machine and control that would shorten the time required from the automatic setting of initial molding conditions to actual molding, even for a novice operator. A control display asks the operator a series of questions and then provides guidance based on data that was previously developed and stored in the system. For example, the control may ask for specific information on a molding defect, and then provide details on how to solve the problem.
Patent Application 20170050362; published Feb. 23
Patents and patent applications can be viewed at www.uspto.gov
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