Cincinnati Milacron Inc.

Ronald M Sparer

Harold J Faig

Edward A Chorey

Gregory L Seibert

John C Catanzaro

Thomas F Habig

Dale P Werle

A cooling method that involves circulating a liquid coolant through the motor housings and mounting surfaces for electrical/electronic components, such as the electric motors and associated electronic drives, in electric plastic processing machines. Specifically, the motors are provided with a housing having an integral heat exchanger, such as stainless steel tubing cast into a cylindrical aluminum stator housing. The various electrical/electronic components are mounted to the surface of a plate type heat exchanger (chill plate) that is contained within the electrical cabinet for the primary electrical circuitry. In addition, the air within the electrical cabinet is continually circulated over the chill plate to provide a more uniform temperature distribution within the enclosure and minimize condensation on the surface of the plate. The heat generated by the motors and electronics is absorbed from the motor housings and chill plate by the circulating liquid and released through a heat exchanger.

Method for cooling electrical components in a plastics processing machine

A cooling system which circulates a liquid coolant through motor housings and mounting surfaces for electrical/electronic components. This system is particularly cost effective where there are multiple electric motors and associated electronic drives, as in electric plastic processing machines. Specifically, the motors are provided with a housing having an integral heat exchanger, such as stainless steel tubing cast into a cylindrical aluminum stator housing. The various electrical/electronic components are mounted to the surface of a plate type heat exchanger (chill plate) that is contained within the compartment for the primary electrical circuitry. In addition, the air within the electrical enclosure is continually circulated over the chill plate to provide a more uniform temperature distribution within the enclosure and minimize condensation on the surface of the plate. The heat generated by the motors and electronics is absorbed from the motor housings and chill plate by the circulating liquid and released through a heat exchanger. Electrical resistors are cast into the chill plate so that the heat transfer from these components is optimized and space is saved by making this an integral construction.

Liquid cooling for electrical components of a plastics processing machine

An injection molding machine utilizing vector controlled AC induction motors in its servomechanism drive systems. Vector controlled AC induction motors provide a cost effective high power drive system which superior performance capabilities. Further system efficiencies are realized when the control is configured to run multiple motors by multiplexing the computer controller circuits for the power sections of each motor.

Injection molding machine having a vector controlled AC drive system

An apparatus for indirectly measuring relatively long, linear distances associated with the operation of an injection molding machine. In particular, the method and apparatus of the present invention can be used to determine the distance between two machine components or systems that are capable of relative (linear) movement. The apparatus includes a rigid bar that extends over the distance traversed by the components of interest, the bar being oriented at a slight angle relative to the line of movement. Immediately adjacent the bar is a sensing element capable of accurately determining the relatively short distance between the sensor and the bar. It is contemplated that the bar would be associated with one of the machine components and the sensor connected to the other. Given that there is only linear movement between the components, the distance between the sensor and the bar will be proportional to the distance between the two machine components. A simple calculation based on the angle of the bar and the distance from the sensor to the bar determines the corresponding separation of the two parts.

Non-contact linear position transducer for an injection molding machine

A machine control permits the selection of input values defining configurations of motors on the machine in desired master-slave relationships. Individual master-slave dependencies may be selectively activated and deactivated. In response to a new commanded velocity for a master motor the control is effective to alter the velocities of all motors dependent therefrom as a function of change of velocity of the master motor and selectable slave ratios.

Reconfigurable master-slave control

A method for controlling clamping force on an injection molding machine by determining a toggle position at which the molds are in initial contact. That toggle position is determined as a function of a selected clamping force and a selected mold protect force and is effective to produce the desired clamping force when the toggle is fully extended.

Clamp force control

A plastics molding machine is provided with a control architecture which includes a dedicated programmed logic controller, a real time analog signal processor, an operator interface station, and a general purpose open architecture digital computer. The computer accepts data entered by an operator from a keyboard on the operator station panel, displays information to the operator, performs analysis of process monitoring and control data, and generates commands to the controller. The controller simultaneously controls the real time digital and analog functions of the machine. The analog functions are controlled in response to analog signals from the controller by performing real time closed loop servo control of analog and other machine functions.

Logic controlled plastic molding machine with programmable operator

An injection molding machine utilizing brushless DC motors in its servomechanism drive systems. Brushless DC motors provide a cost effective high power drive system which has the simplicity of control of brush-type DC motors. By utilizing higher resolution encoders and controlling pressure with the servomotor velocity control loop, motor cogging and zero velocity oscillatiions are minimized.

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Madeira, OH, United States of America

Ronald M Sparer