Uniloy Milacron Usa, Inc.

Milacron Inc.

Andrew Keith Stirn

James E O'Bryan

Sean F Johnson

James Michael Lightfield

Force from an electrically operated ejector mechanism of a molding machine is selectably supplemented by operation of second actuators. Second actuators are advantageously fluid (hydraulic or pneumatic) operated to supplement force provided by an electrically operated primary actuator when the ejector mechanism is driven to advance ejector members into cavities of a mold assembly. The second actuators may be enabled to be operated during automatically controlled execution of a machine cycle of operation and may be operated in response to operator selections when machine operation is controlled manually.

Apparatus for ejector actuation

Method and apparatus for control of an ejector mechanism of a molding machine. A procedure is executed without operator intervention for setting limits for controlling motion of movable members of mold assemblies, the movable members linked to ejector pins communicating with the mold cavity and used to assure molded articles are dislodged from a mold element. The procedure, typically associated with a &ldquo;set-up&rdquo; mode of control, operates an ejector mechanism with reduced force to drive the movable members to the extremes of travel thereof, senses a &ldquo;stalled&rdquo; condition at each extreme, and causes measured position of each extreme to be recorded. Position values intended for use in normal (program controlled) operation of the molding machine are derived from the recorded position values.

Method apparatus for ejector set-up

Method and apparatus for control of a toggle operated press to effectively set relative position between a fixed platen and a die height platen. The toggle crosshead is placed at a position required to achieve a desired press clamp force. The die height platen is advanced toward the fixed platen until minute motion of the toggle crosshead away from the fixed platen is detected whereat advance of the die height platen is ceased. In the relative position of the die height platen and fixed platen results in contact of the mold sections prior to the crosshead being placed at the required position, the crosshead is retracted a predetermined distance and then advanced to the required position. Desired die height setting is achieved without repeated iterations of a die height setting procedure.

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West Harrison, IN, United States of America

Andrew Keith Stirn