KR20050047542A - Cooling tube and method of use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A cooling tube assembly (50) for operating on a malleable molded plastic part (32). The tube assembly (50) comprising a porous tube/insert (52) having a profiled inside surface, and a vacuum structure configured to cooperate with the porous tube (52). In use, the vacuum develops a reduced pressure adjacent the inside surface to cause an outside surface of the malleable molded plastic part (32), locatable within the tube assembly (50), to contact the inside surface of the porous insert so as to allow a substantial portion of the outside surface of the malleable part (32), upon cooling, to attain a profile substantially corresponding to the profile of the inside surface (82). The cooling tube may include an extruded tube with at least one cooling channel (50) produced by extrusion, the extruded cooling tube may be configured to operate without the porous insert (52).

Description

COOLING TUBE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to cooling tubes, but in particular, but not exclusively, cooling tubes used in plastic injection molding machines to cool cooling plastic parts such as plastic parisons or preforms. It can be applied to. More particularly, the present invention relates to the structural shape of this cooling tube and also to the manufacturing process for preforms made of, for example, polyethylenetetraphatelate (PET) or the like, for the manufacture and use of the tube. It is about how to.

In order to accelerate the cycle time, molding machines have been developed to include a post-molding cooling system that operates simultaneously with the injection molding cycle. More particularly, during one injection cycle, the post-molding cooling system, which generally works complementary to the robotic part removal device, is formed earlier and removed from the mold at a point that is still relatively hot but hard enough for limited operation. Acts on molded products.

Thermoforming (or cooling) molds, nests or tubes after molding are well known in the art. In general, such devices are made of aluminum or other materials with good thermal conductivity. It is also known to use fluid cooled cooling tubes for post-molding temperature conditioning of molded plastic parts, such as plastic parison or preforms. Generally, the tube is formed from a solid stock by conventional processing methods.

In order to improve cooling efficiency and cycle time performance, EP 0 283 644 discloses a multi-position take-out plate with the ability to store a plurality of preforms during one or more injection cycles. In other words, by holding the preform in the cooling tube for one or more injection cycles, each preform is subjected to enhanced conduction cooling at increased intervals. With increased cooling, the quality of the preform is enhanced. At the appropriate time, the preform is injected from the takeout plate to the conveyor (usually by a mechanical injection mechanism) to allow the new preform to be inserted into the currently empty cooling tube.

EP 0 266 804 discloses an adjacent custom cooling tube using an end-of-arm tool (EOAT). Adjacent custom cooling tubes are arranged to receive water cooled and partially cooled preforms. More specifically, after the preform has been cooled to some extent in a closed mold, the mold is opened, the EOAT extends between the cavity and core side of the mold, and the preform is preformed through heat conduction from the core. The load is moved into the cooling tube to cool the outside. However, since the preform shrinks as it cools, the contact of its entire circumference with the cooling tube can be loosened, resulting in an uneven cooling effect.

A problem with known cooling tube arrangements is that the preforms (though not from the point of introduction, in some respects) loose contact with the inner sidewalls of the cooling tube, so that loss of thermal contact reduces cooling efficiency and uneven cooling. To make it happen. As will be appreciated, non-uniform cooling can lead to component defects, including deformation of the overall shape and crystallization of the plastic (and consequently cloudy). In addition, lack of contact can cause ovality of the outer periphery of the preform, while loss of cooling effect means that the preform is removed from the cooling tube at an excessively high temperature. In addition, the premature removal of the preform at excessively high temperatures, together with surface scratches and overall size deformation, may result in that a somewhat dissolved exterior of the preform adheres to either the cooling tube or other preform. All effects are obviously undesirable, resulting in partial disposal and increased costs for the manufacturer. It is therefore desirable to form a cooling tube for including means for making and / or maintaining contact between the outer surface of the preform and the inner wall of the cooling tube.

U.S. Patent No. 4,047,873 discloses an injection blow mold in which the cavity of the injection blow mold has a sintered porous side wall in which vacuum is brought into contact with the cooling tube side wall by vacuum.

U. S. Patent No. 4,208, 177 discloses an injection molded cavity comprising a porous element in communication with a cooling fluid passageway that applies different pressure to the cooling fluid to change the flow of the fluid through the porous plug.

US 4,295,811 and US 4,304,542 disclose injection blow cores with porous metal wall portions.

Mikel Knights (Mikell Knights) in the by, published on the Internet on July 27, 2002 "Porous Molds' Big Draw" said porosity tools composite materials are disclosed for called "Plastics Technology Online" article, "METAPOR ^TM" that It is. This article discloses a gloss technique for this material that slightly closes pores to improve surface finish and reduce porosity.

An article from International Mold Steel, also known as "Porous Aluminum Mold Materials," published on July 27, 2002 by Scott W. Hopkins, discloses a porous aluminum mold material. The materials and applications described in these two articles relate to vacuum thermoforming of plastic in the mold itself, wherein the preheated plastic sheet is drawn into a single mold half by vacuum pulling through the porous structure of the mold half.

Another problem with known cooling tubes is that they are costly and time consuming to manufacture and assemble. In addition, the working mass of the cooling tube (ie, containing the coolant) is of particular interest given that the typical robot take-out system may comprise one or more arranged sets of cooling tubes, and thus is supported by the robot. Accumulated mass is quickly considered to be operational and / or design considerations (ie robot inertia and momentum considerations). In addition, robots typically operate to remove dozens of preforms in a single cycle (with the current PET system producing up to 144 preforms per injection cycle), so the energy and robot technical specifications extended by the robot Unfortunately it is relatively high. Therefore, the installation and operation of a high standard robot poses a significant financial cost to the end user. Therefore, it is desirable to form and manufacture cooling tubes in accordance with simplified structures and methods, respectively. It is also desirable to form the cooling channel into a relatively open channel in an effort to reduce the working mass of the cooling tube.

U.S. Patent Nos. 4,102,626 and 4,729,732 show cooling tubes formed with external cooling channels processed at the outer surface of the tube body, and then the sleeve is coupled to the body to enclose the channel and the liquid refrigerant is directed around the body. It is common in prior art systems in that it provides a sealed passageway enclosed for circulation.

WO 97/39874 discloses a tempering mold having a circular cooling channel contained within the body of the tempering mold.

EP 0 700 770 discloses another shape comprising an inner and outer tube assembly to form a cooling channel between the inner and outer tube assemblies.

U. S. Patent No. 5,870, 921 discloses an injection die used to produce an aluminum alloy product of an injected shape or tube having a void space with limited internal size.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a plan view of a typical injection molding machine including a robot and an arm end tool.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling tube assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the cooling tube assembly of the embodiment of Figure 2, with the new mold portion just loaded.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling tube assembly of FIG. 2 in a later position over time.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling tube assembly of another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the section " 5-5 "

7 is a sectional view of a cooling tube assembly of a second alternative embodiment.

8 is a sectional view of a cooling tube assembly of a third alternative embodiment.

9 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling tube according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view along section “A-A” of the cooling tube of FIG. 9; FIG.

11 is an isometric view of a cooling tube porous insert.

12 is a sectional view of a cooling tube according to another embodiment of the present invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a structure and / or step is provided for a tube assembly acting on malleable molded plastic parts. The tube assembly and vacuum structure comprising a porous tube with a contoured inner surface was formed to engage the porous tube to provide a reduced pressure in contact with the inner surface in use. The reduced pressure causes the outer surface of the malleable molded plastic part to be disposed in the tube assembly such that a substantial portion of the outer surface of the malleable part is shaped substantially corresponding to the shape of the inner surface during cooling. Make contact with the inner surface of the In an embodiment of the present invention, the porous tube is cylindrical and, in use, provides a vacuum structure by placing the porous tube in the tube body and providing at least one vacuum channel adjacent the outer surface of the porous tube for connection to a vacuum source. do.

The inner surface of the porous tube with the inner contour has an inner surface that is substantially the final shape of the part being molded (although not high and accurate tolerances), so that the porous tube of various embodiments of the present invention is characterized by the contour of the insert during cooling. Allows reshaping of the parts to be molded according to the precise final shape specified. In fact, the reduced pressure / effective vacuum acting through the porous material substantially reduces the ability of the preform to be final in shape while cooling is ensured to be optimized by thermally sufficient heat dissipating material and continuous surfaces in contact with the path. Act as

According to a second aspect of the invention, the injection molding processing structure and / or step comprises a molding structure for molding at least one plastic part. In addition, the at least one porous cooling cavity is formed to fix and cool the at least one plastic part after it has been molded by the forming structure. The at least one vacuum channel is each formed to provide a lower pressure than the ambient to the at least one porous cavity such that the at least one plastic part is in contact with the inner surface of the at least one porous cavity.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a structure and / or step relating to a tube assembly for receiving a molded plastic part having a contour. The tube assembly comprising the porous substrate includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a vacuum channel adjacent to the outer surface. The inner surface has a contour that reflects at least a portion of the contour of the molded plastic part, and the vacuum channel initializes the differential pressure from the outer surface to the inner surface of the porous substrate to induce contact in use between the contained plastic part and the inner surface. To help.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure and / or step relating to a tube assembly acting on malleable molded plastic parts. The tube assembly includes a tube body and a porous insert located in the tube body. The porous insert includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a contour that reflects at least a portion of the contour of the molded plastic part. The tube assembly further includes at least one vacuum channel in fluid communication with the porous insert. The vacuum channel is configured such that the outer surface of the malleable molded plastic part is incorporated into the tube assembly such that a substantial portion of the outer surface of the malleable part is in contact with the inner surface such that it is contoured substantially corresponding to the contour of the inner surface during cooling. It is connected with a vacuum source to provide, in use, a reduced pressure adjacent the inner surface for positioning. The tube assembly also includes a cooling structure connected with a heat dissipation path for cooling the molded plastic part in contact with the inner surface of the porous insert.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising (1) receiving a molded plastic part into a porous tube, and (2) a portion of the outer surface of the molded plastic part is in contact with the inner surface of the porous tube to form a substantially corresponding shape. Providing reduced pressure adjacent to its inner surface to achieve, and (3) molding through a heat dissipation path to solidify the molded plastic part to the extent that at least the shape of the outer surface of the molded plastic part is preserved. A method of forming a malleable molded plastic part comprising the step of dissipating heat from the plastic part, and (4) discharging the molded plastic product, wherein the outer surface of the molded plastic part is defined by the interior surface of the porous tube It has a final shape defined by.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a structure and / or step with respect to the female end tool is provided. The arm end tool, in use, comprises a carrier plate mounted to the robot of the forming system and at least one tube assembly disposed on the carrier plate. The tube assembly is shaped to receive molded plastic parts in use. The tube assembly comprises a porous tube and a vacuum structure having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being shaped to reflect at least a portion of the contour of the molded plastic part. The vacuum structure cooperates with the porous tube to provide a reduced pressure adjacent to the inner surface when using the reduced pressure adjacent the inner surface such that the outer surface of the malleable molded plastic part can be located within the tube assembly, and the substantial surface of the malleable part. The inner surface of the porous insert is contacted such that the portion is contoured substantially corresponding to the contour of the inner surface during cooling.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, a structure and / or step relating to a tube assembly is provided. The tube assembly includes a tube having an inner surface provided with the porous substrate and a fluid flow structure. The fluid flow structure may be such that a malleable molded plastic part may be placed in the tube assembly when in use to contact a substantial portion of the exterior surface of the malleable part with the interior surface such that it forms a contour substantially corresponding to the contour of the interior surface during cooling. To cooperate with the porous substrate.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, a structure and / or step is provided for a molded plastic part having the shape of at least a portion of the outer surface of the molded plastic part defined by the inner surface with the contour of the porous tube. The molded plastic part comprises (1) receiving the molded plastic part into the porous tube, and (2) a portion of the outer surface of the molded plastic part is in contact with the contoured inner surface of the porous tube to form a substantially corresponding shape. Providing reduced pressure adjacent to the inner surface thereof, and (3) dissipating heat from the molded plastic part through a heat dissipation path to solidify the molded plastic part sufficiently to preserve the outer shape of the molded plastic part. And (4) molding the molded plastic product. The portion of the outer surface of the molded plastic part will have a surface finish that reflects a portion of the contoured inner surface of the porous insert. Preferably, the porous tube is shaped into a porous substrate and preferably has a contoured inner surface having a gap space in the range of about 3 to 20 microns.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a structure and / or step is provided for an injection molded plastic part cooling tube that is injected to be confined to a cylindrical tube having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one cooling channel.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, an injection molding processing structure and / or step includes a molding structure for molding a plurality of plastic parts. After the plurality of plastic parts are molded by the forming structure, a plurality of injected cooling cavities are provided and molded to fix and cool them. Each cooling cavity includes a plurality of cooling channels that are defined by injection and are provided to provide coolant flow through the plurality of cooling cavities for dissipating heat from the plurality of plastic parts while secured by the plurality of cooling cavities. .

According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, a method of injecting an injection molded plastic part cooling tube comprises injecting a hollow aluminum tube having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one cooling channel.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, the tube assembly comprises a tubular porous insert for vacuum forming the shaped article and for improving the cooling efficiency. The porous insert includes an inner surface having a shape substantially corresponding to the final required molded surface of the molded article. The pressure channel of the porous insert has a conduit for creating a relatively low vacuum pressure region and for evacuating air through the porous structure of the porous insert, allowing the deformable molded article to contact the inner surface.

The present invention advantageously provides a cooling tube structure having the function of quickly and efficiently cooling a just molded plastic part located in the tube, whereby the strength of the preform is improved and the cycle time is generally enhanced. In addition, in terms of unnecessary generation of acetaldehyde resulting from prolonged exposure of the preform to relatively high temperatures and cooling of PET, the rapid cooling which can be achieved by the present invention is advantageously tolerated in finished plastic products such as beverage containers. It reduces the risk of acetaldehyde at an unacceptably high level. Advantageously, the present invention can maintain a molded part in the required and defined shape, such as a preform.

In addition, the present invention advantageously provides a low weight structure and easily manufacturable injection cooling tube that reduces robot specific requirements and / or improves robot cycle time. In addition, the cooling tubes enhance cooling power as a result of improved and integrally shaped channels. In addition, another embodiment of the present invention provides a tube assembly capable of vacuum forming a molded article.

Although the present invention is equally applicable to any technique in which the cooling of the part is followed by a cooling tube or the like following the part molding, the present invention will be described with respect to the embodiment in which the porous cooling tube is used in a plastic injection molding machine. . For example, the present invention may find application in partial transfer mechanisms from injection molding machines and blow molding machines.

1 shows a general injection molding machine 10 that can cooperate with the apparatus for supporting the cooling tube of the present invention. During each injection cycle, the injection molding machine 10 includes a plurality of plastic preforms (or parisons) corresponding to the plurality of mold pores defined by the replenishment mold halves 12, 14 disposed within the machine 10. To prepare.

The injection molding machine 10 includes forming structures such as the fixed platen 16 and the movable platen 18 without particular limitation. In operation, the movable platen 18 makes relative motion with respect to the stationary platen 16 by a stroke cylinder (not shown). Clamp forces are generally machined through the use of a mechanical clamping mechanism (not shown) and the use of tie bars 20 and 22 to generate mold clamp force (i.e. closure tonnage) using a hydraulic system, as already assessed. Is developed in. The mold halves 12, 14 together become a component of the mold generally having one or more mold pores 22, 24, the mold halves 12, 14 being the movable platen 14 and the stationary platen 16. Each one of which is arranged. The robot 26 is provided adjacent to the stationary platen 16 and the movable platen 14 to carry an arm end tool (EOAT) 28, such as a take-out plate. The take-out plate 28 includes a plurality of preform cooling tubes 30 in a number that matches at least the number of preforms 32 produced in each injection cycle, and may be a composite thereof. In use, in the mold open position (as shown in FIG. 1), the robot 26 moves the take-out plate to generally align with the core side of the mold, and then the molded article (eg, preform) (32) is waited until the stripper plate 33 is stripped from each core to the self-aligned cooling tubes 30 by operation.

The cooling tube 30 is generally shaped to reflect the outer contour of the molded article (eg, preform 32), so that in the case of PET preforms the cooling tube 30 is preferably cylindrical open. Narrow tubes at the ends, each having a channel at its base that is connected to a vacuum or suction unit 34 which serves to pull and / or merely secure the preform 32 in the tube 30.

As will be appreciated, in general, take-out plate 28 will be cooled by either a connection to a suitable thermal sink and / or a combination of techniques including an internal water channel.

FIG. 2 shows a cooling tube assembly 50 comprising an inner porous insert 52 made of a material such as porous aluminum having a porosity in the range of 3-20 microns. The porosity of the substrate generally consists of its material properties or chemical removal (or control) treatment, in which the crack space is introduced into the substrate, thereby forming an internal structure somewhat similar to a honeycomb or hardened sponge. do. Although already commercially available materials, such as METAPOR ^™ and PORCERAX ^™ (both manufactured by International Mold Steel Corporation), are discussed with respect to the preferred embodiments described herein, the present invention has a size outside the range of 3-20 microns. Channels that communicate through the substrate material can be used. As will be appreciated, the porosity, in some circumstances, becomes a function of the surface finish, and the processing of the work of the surface can affect the porosity through the material. The inner porous insert can of course be made of a material such as graphite, but in a preferred embodiment, the inner porous insert 52 is of a structure with defined strength and mechanical elasticity. Preferably the inner porous insert 52 is particularly preferably a thermal conductor with good thermal conductivity, for example metal based or sintered synthetic material.

As will be appreciated, METAPOR ^™ is a combination of aluminum and epoxy resin, with a mixing ratio between about 65-90% aluminum powder and 35-10% epoxy resin.

A typical cooling tube assembly 50 may have an internal length specification of about 100 mm, with this dimension reflecting the size of the molded article, with an inner diameter of about 25 mm and an outer diameter of about 40 mm. Of course, the tubes can be made in different diameters and lengths to match the shape of the particular preform being cooled.

From an actual perspective, the porous insert 52 is preferably disposed in the tube body 54 surrounded by the sleeve 56. Cooling channels (or passages) 58 are optionally dug or otherwise formed adjacent to the tube body 54 and a cooling fluid (eg, air) to cool the body 54 and the insert 52. , Gas, or liquid) to draw heat away from the molded plastic part in the porous insert 52. Each cooling channel is preferably formed to have a cross section comprising a plurality of arcuate elongated slots extending at least 50% of the outer circumference of the inner diameter of each cooling pore. Or, if the heat sink can draw enough heat from the preform in unit time, the tube body 54 may simply be directly thermally connected to the heat sink to reduce the combined total weight of the tube and the female end tool 28. have.

Seals 60-63 between the sleeve 56 and the tube body 54 contain the cooling fluid in the grooves 4. Channel 66 is shaved or otherwise formed on the outer surface of porous insert 52 and provides a means for supplying a vacuum through the porous structure of porous insert 52.

Except for the channel 66, the outer surface of the porous insert 52 is formed to maintain good surface contact between the insert 52 and the tube body 54, so that the heat transfer from the porous insert to the molded plastic part is optimized. have. The vacuum is provided through the porous insert such that the newly loaded molded plastic part 32, shown in FIG. 3, is enlarged in size to contact the inner surface 82 of the porous insert, as shown in FIG. . Thus, heat is conducted from the molded plastic part 32 to the porous insert 1 and through the porous insert to the cooled tube body 54. The position of the dome portion 80 of the preform 32 is exaggerated in FIG. 3, which shows when the preform is being introduced into the cooling tube assembly 50.

In the application of suction or vacuum, a pressure lower than the ambient is present outside of the insert 52, so that air flows from its inner surface 82 into the channel 66 through the porous insert 52. By this suction, a lower than ambient pressure at the outer surface of the molded plastic part moves the molded plastic part into contact with the inner surface 82 of the porous insert 52.

In the PET environment of METAPOR ^™ inserts with a clearance of 3 to 20 microns, the working vacuum pressure of the system can consist of mercury in the range of about 10 to 30 inches (using U3.6s Becker exhaust pump). However, the vacuum pressure applied is absolutely determined (and is a function of it) by the mechanical properties of the plastic material.

Of course, this requires a sealed system, but rather than applying a vacuum to the outside of the preform in order to contact the preform to at least a portion of the inner surface of the cooling tube, a positive pressure is applied to the inside of the preform (fluid injector and lip seal). Can be applied). Thus, depending on the cycle time provided for cooling and the shape of the part, any suitable pressure difference can be applied between the inner surface of the cooling tube and the outer surface of the plastic part. In fact, the shape of the preform prevents the outer surface from following any portion tapered into the interior, for example close to the neck finish of the preform 32, but the entire outer surface of the preform (end) The cylindrical outer surface and the spherical outer surface, ie the dome 80, are in contact with the porous insert cooling tube. However, depending on the plastic part design and where it needs to be cooled, the cooling tube and vacuum structure can be designed to contact any part of the preform with the cooling tube. In addition, vacuum (or positive pressure) may be applied to one, two, three or more stages that effect various cooling geometries of the plastic part. For example, the thick portion of the preform may be in immediate contact with the cooling tube, while the thin portion of the preform may then be in contact with the cooling tube. In general, the preforms are brought into contact with the cooling tube 50 for a time that is sufficient to only force the preforms, without any fear of the losses incurred, with losses depending on the material, size and cross-sectional shape of the preforms. do.

It is possible to lower the porosity of the porous insert 52 in order to improve the surface finish of the porous insert 52 in contact with the molded plastic part (ie the inner surface 82), thereby reducing any of the surface of the molded part. The display can also be minimized. However, also reducing the porosity of insert 52 reduces the flow of air flowing through it. Since moderate flow reduction does not significantly interfere with or reduce the strength of the resulting vacuum, it can withstand moderate flow reduction, especially since all air flow stops once the surface of the molded part contacts the insert. There is. When the molded part 32 first enters the tube 52, the speed at which the vacuum is made is only affected by the airflow speed. Reduction of porosity is achieved by milling and grinding processes, while further processing steps of stoning or electrical discharge to increase porosity can remove debris from surface interstitial spaces. In any case, as will be appreciated, the flow rate through the material is a function of both the applied pressure and porosity.

Inside the cooling tube 50, due to the partially cooled, but still malleable, condition of the molded part at the inlet entering the molded plastic part, the vacuum will expand the molded plastic part both in diameter and possibly in length. will be. The molded part is subject to vacuum applied to most of its outer surface, while its inner surface is exposed to ambient pressure.

In Fig. 5, as the molded part cools and shrinks, the support shelf 100 of the molded part 32 prevents the molded part from further entering the tube 50. In this case, the vacuum allows the closed end of the part to enter further into the tube while the support shelf prevents the opposite end from following. In all embodiments, the vacuum changes the shape of the part to substantially eliminate the first gap that exists between the outer surface of the molded part and the corresponding inner surface of the porous insert 52.

In the case of molded plastic parts with opposite shapes, such as the tapered portion 84 inwardly, its shape will not change substantially during the expanded state. The shape and size of the internal dimension of the porous insert 52 is such that its diameter fits or is slightly larger than the corresponding diameter of the part being cooled, thus preventing the shape of the plastic part from being substantially damaged.

At the open end of the cooling tube 50 an end seal 104 (FIG. 3) is provided as a means of initially vacuuming (as necessary) the assembly and subsequently affecting the molded plastic part 80. . If there is a portion of the porous insert 52 that is not engaged with the portion of the preform, such as the region 106 shown in FIG. 4 under the support shelf 100, ensure that the molded portion is in contact with the inner wall 82. As it is cooled, an end seal 104 is required to withstand the effect of shrinkage of the component 80, otherwise the end seal 104 may be omitted. If no vacuum is present, shrinkage of the component 80 causes separation (and consequently suction loss) between the outer wall of the component and the internal cooling wall of the insert 52, thus inserting 52 from the component. And significantly impair heat transfer into the cooling tube. Thus, the continuously provided vacuum ensures that intimate contact between the outer surface of the molded part and the inner wall 82 of the insert is maintained in order to maximize cooling performance.

Returning to FIG. 3, the tube assembly 50 is preferably fastened to the carrier or take-out plate 110 by screws 112. The insert 52 is held in the assembly by a collar 114 and mounted or secured to the end of the tube body 54 or otherwise connected by some other common means. Cooling fluid channel inlet 116 and cooling fluid channel outlet 118 are provided in carrier plate 110. A vacuum channel (or passage) 120 is also provided to the carrier plate 110. After sufficient cooling time has elapsed, the vacuum is replaced by a pressurized air stream (by switching the vacuum pump function), and the part is discharged from the tube assembly 50 by this pressure.

5 and 6 show another embodiment of the cooling tube 150 in which the tube body 54 and the sleeve 56 are replaced with an injected tube comprising an integrated cooling channel. The aluminum protrusion 152 includes integrated cooling channels 154 that form a tube body and are alternately connected to each other by grooves 156 at each end of the tube. The sealing ring 158 closes the end of the tube to complete the integration of the cooling circuit. Porous aluminum insert 160 having an outer groove 162 which acts as a channel for vacuum is provided by a collar 166 and a spacer 164 attached to the tube by screws or other common fastening means (cooling tube 150 In)). The tube assembly is tightened to the carrier plate 110 by any suitable external clamping means, such as bolt 168. This other embodiment has a low production cost and improved cooling efficiency by its injected body element.

7 shows a second alternative embodiment for cooling a mold part having a different shape. In this arrangement, an end seal (reference 104 in FIG. 3) between the top of the cooling tube and the bottom of the support shelf 100 is unnecessary. The porous insert 200 is trapped in the tube 152 injected by the collar 201, which is fixed with a screw 202 on top of the cooling tube (in this case the tube 152 injected) or by any suitable means. have. The collar 152, generally made of aluminum or the like, extends inward to conform to the internal contour shape 204 of the open end of the insert 200 which is slightly larger than the shape of the matching or cooled part. The collar 201 provides a seal that is effective enough to allow the vacuum applied to the porous insert to expand in size for the component to cool and establish close proximity to the inner surface of the insert. In some cases, it is desirable to have a looser bond to the tube when the part is first inserted. In this case, Figure 8 shows how the lip seal 210 can provide the initial seal needed to make the vacuum effective after loading the looser coupling parts.

The method of making and using the cooling tube (in the working environment) of the present invention to weight cooling and partial molding has been described above. In summary, porous cooling tubes made in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present invention are made by milling or injecting a porous cooling tube insert, and optionally but preferably a cooling tube assembly with cooling fluid channels. Porous inserts can be polished, painted, or otherwise treated to reduce porosity and provide a denser finish on the exterior of the molded part. The cooling tube channel may be entirely enclosed in the tube or may be formed by positioning the sleeve in an open channel formed on the outer surface of the porous insert. The vacuum channel can be milled or injected into the outer surface of the porous insert, or a separate structure can be provided adjacent to the porous insert outer surface. The closed end of the cooling tube may be machined or may include a plug that fits into one open end of the cooling cylinder. Then, as above, a suitable seal is fitted to either end of the cooling tube to provide the required pressure control.

In operation, a film molded plastic part is ejected from the molding cavity and conveyed by a conveying plate to a cooling station in which one or a plurality of cooling tubes are located. The plastic part is inserted into the cooling tube and is preferably sealed therein. A vacuum (or partial vacuum) is then provided through the porous insert from its outer surface to its inner surface, with the result that the plastic part extends in length and diameter to contact the inner surface of the porous insert. The cooling fluid circulates through the cooling channel to release heat from the porous insert and to release heat from the molded part. Once sufficient cooling is complete (if the outer surface of the molded part solidifies and achieves sufficient firmness), the vacuum is released and the molded part is discharged into a reservoir for loading, for example. If desired, a positive pressure can be applied through the vacuum channel to withdraw the molded part from the cooling tube.

Thus, a new cooling tube assembly has been described for improved cooling of partially cooled molded parts that provides a means for maintaining intimate surface contact between the outer surface of the part and the inner cooling surface of the tube during the cooling cycle. Known post-formed cooling devices preferably use a vacuum to slightly expand the part to contact the cooling surface and to maintain contact even when the part is cooled, thereby counteracting the contraction that pushes the part out of the cooling surface. do.

The invention may also be described with respect to embodiments in cooling tubes comprising injected tubes. The invention is equally applicable to any technique for the molding of the next part and cooling of that part, carried out by a cooling tube or the like, but the injected cooling tube is used specially in plastic injection molding machines. For example, the present invention can be applied to part transfer mechanisms from injection molding machines and blow molding machines.

9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cooling tube 350 of an embodiment of the present invention. Cooling tube 350 preferably includes an injected one-piece tube 352 having an outer surface 384 and an inner surface 382 acting on the preform 32. The cooling tube 350 is adapted to cool the inner surface 382 including longitudinally oriented cooling channels 354 formed by injecting between the inner surface 382 and the outer surface 384 of the tube 352. A cooling circuit. The cooling channels 354 are connected together in the flow shape required by any number of connecting channels 356 and the cooling circuits are connected to the source and outlet of the coolant via inlet and outlet channels 390 and 392. The connecting channel 356 is disposed at the top and the base of the tube 352 between the outer surface 384 and the inner surface 382 and extends between two or more cooling channels 354. The connecting channel 356 is closed at one side by the sealing ring 358. Including the seal 359, the sealing ring 358 is retained in the grooves at the top and base of the cooling tube 350 by the snap ring 366 or other known tightening means. The cooling tube 350 further comprises a central plug 364 inserted into the base and held by the shoulder 367, which central plug 364 supports and otherwise acts on the bottom surface of the preform 32. A contoured interior surface 303. The central plug 364 also includes a pressure channel 394 for connecting to a vacuum source for use in transferring the preform 32 to the cooling tube 350. Coolant inlet and outlet channels 390 and 392 of the cooling circuit are provided in the central plug 364.

The tube 352 preferably comprises an integral injection tube with a longitudinal cooling channel 354 which may have a cross section selected in a wide variety of shapes. The use of general machining techniques (eg milling) to machine the channel 354 having the shape shown in FIG. 10 cannot generally be performed at lengths greater than about four times the diameter of the cutter used, This improperly limits the length of the cooling tube produced in this way. Thus, the injection tube may be viewed as having an integral cooling channel having a length that is usually at least four times the small diameter of the cooling channel 354 or having a substantially constant non-cylindrical cooling channel 354 shape.

The cooling channel 354 formed in the injection process has a channel through which cooling fluid circulates in the tube, and exhausts heat from the preform 32 through the tube inner surface 382. The cooling tube may include four cooling channels 354 (shown in FIG. 10). The shape of the channel 354 is preferably an arcuate long slot which represents a larger cooling surface area than the drill hole. Preferably, the cumulative angle range of all long slots is greater than 180 ° and the angle range of each long slot measures the included angle of the concentric arcs with a cooling tube with a boundary point defining the maximum arc length through the long slot. will be. This shape is characterized by the high volume of coolant maintained by the coolant distribution extending around and adjacent to a substantial portion of the inner surface 382 in contact with the preform 32 and also by the large cross section of the coolant channel 53. The flow rate acts to optimize heat transfer from the preform 32. In addition, the preferred cooling channel 354 cross section provides for a relatively lightweight cooling tube 350, resulting in that some carrier plate assemblies include more than 432 tubes (ie, one carrier plate assembly may have 114 cooling tubes). Overall mass is reduced in the carrier plate assembly 11, which may be important, thereby enabling the use of lighter missions and less costly robots and / or moving the plates faster and thus It can save time and reduce energy consumption.

In another embodiment of the invention, the four arcuate channels shown in FIG. 10 are two larger arcuates (not shown) to simplify the connecting channel 356, with one channel representing the inlet and the other representing the outlet. Can be changed to

The central plug 364 preferably includes an outlined interior surface 303 that is formed to substantially fit the surface of the cooled component. The central plug 364 is preferably made of aluminum and serves to cool the gate area of the preform, to define the channel for vacuum, and to facilitate the coupling of the cooling channel to the carrier plate 11, if necessary. . A pressure channel 394 is preferably provided at the center of the plug. In one embodiment, the central plug 364 is retained between the shoulder 367 of the cooling tube and the take out plate 28. A tube fastener 368, such as a screw or bolt, is provided to couple the cooling tube 350 to the take out plate 28. Other means of assembling the plug 14 and securing the cooling tube 350 to the takeout plate 28 may be used.

Typical physical dimensions of the cooling tube 350 for any preform 32 according to the present invention are about 100 mm in length, about 25 mm in inner diameter, and about 41 mm in outer diameter. For any such cooling tube, the cooling channel 354 is preferably about 1-4 mm in thickness, about 80 mm in circumference, and about 100 mm in axial length (preferably the same length as the tube). Of course, tubes with different diameters and lengths can be made to fit the shape of any preform 32, and various variations of coolant channel 354 dimensions are possible. The cooling tube 350 is preferably made of aluminum.

According to the present invention, an injection process is used to form a tube 352 comprising cooling channels and holes, which preferably have a smaller size than any of the plastic parts cooled in the tubes. The injection process is consistent with known techniques. Then, after cutting the length of the tube 352, the forming surface and any other desired shape (such as connecting channel 356, sealing ring 358 groove, and any coolant inlet / outlet or pressure channel, coupling structure, etc.) are machined. do. The central plug 364 is then processed, including more desired shapes (such as coolants 390 and 392 and pressure channels 394). The central plug 364 is then mounted to the cooling tube 350 with all the necessary seals, and the sealing ring 358 with the seal 359 is mounted to the sealing ring grooves at the top and bottom of the cooling tube 350. The entire assembly is ready for mounting to the takeout plate 28.

In a preferred embodiment, the connecting channel 356 at the top of the tube 352 can be provided by machining through another partition wall (not shown) of the cooling channel 354. At the end of the takeout plate 28 (bottom) of the tube 352, another similar separation wall for connecting the cooling channel 354 and connecting the cooling fluid inlet channel 390 and the cooling fluid outlet channel 392. Not shown) is processed. Alternatively, the cooling channel 354 in the tube wall may be directly connected to the corresponding portion of the take out plate 28.

In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the cooling tube is injected to form a cylindrical tube having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one cooling channel 354 formed on the outer surface of the tube 352. . The tubular sleeve fits into the tube 352 surrounding the cooling channel 354. A seal is provided between the tube 352 and the sleeve for watertight connection. The cooling channels may be connected as described above in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the cooling tube comprises at least one cooling channel formed on an inner surface, an outer surface, and an outer surface of the tubular sleeve that fits tightly to the tube 352 surrounding the cooling channel 354. It is injected to form a cylindrical tube with 354. A seal is provided between the tube 352 and the sleeve for watertight connection. The cooling channels may be connected as described above in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In operation, the cooling tube is used similar to that described in US Pat. No. 4,729,732. The internal dimension of the cooling tube is preferably slightly smaller than the external dimension of the preform being cooled. Thus, as the preform shrinks, its outer size is reduced and the vacuum acting through the central plug forces the part into the cooling tube so that a close fit or contact of the outer surface of the preform with the inner surface of the cooling tube is maintained. Push more. Alternatively, the internal dimension of the cooling tube can be made to be the same size or slightly larger than the external size of the preform being cooled so that the flow of air passes through the outer surface of the part by vacuum.

More specifically, after the preform is formed in the injection molding machine, the mold is opened by knocking the movable platen 18 away from the fixed platen 16 and carrying the robot arm (carrying the carrier plate assembly 11). Moves between mold halves 12 and 14 such that cooling tube 50 can receive a series of preforms 32 ejected from core 23. The suction applied can be used to help transfer the preform 32 from the core 23 to the cooling tube 350 and / or to hold the preform therein. After the carrier plate assembly 11 has exited between the mold halves 12, 14, the carrier plate assembly 11 is sequentially or selectively oriented such that it is placed adjacent to a cooling station, a receiving station, or a conveyor. The preform can then be transferred.

In addition to improved cooling of the cooling tubes, there is a substantial benefit of reduced manufacturing costs. Injected cooling tubes according to the present invention can benefit from a cost reduction compared to tubes generally produced by substantially reduced processing requirements.

In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the tube assembly 350 of FIG. 9 is a tubular porous insert along the inner surface 382 for the vacuum forming the preform 32, as shown in FIG. 452 and may be modified to improve the cooling efficiency of the preform 32 by a better thermal conduction interface (ie, closer alignment with larger surface area contact).

Thus, the reference is now pending US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 246,916, filed Sep. 19, 2002 and entitled "Cooling Tube with Porous Insert". The porous insert 452 includes an inner surface 482 and an outer surface 483, the inner surface 482 having an appearance that substantially matches the final desired molded surface of the preform 32, and the outer surface 483. ) May be divided by a series of lengthwise pressure channels 466. The pressure channel 466 has a conduit between the inner surface 482 and the outer surface 483 to form a region of very low vacuum pressure proximal to the portion of the porous insert 452, whereby the porous insert 452 Air is vented through the porous structure of the porous insert 450 for the purpose of contacting the inner surface 482 of the slit with the deformable preform 32, and a vacuum forms the preform 32. Porous insert 452 is preferably made of a high thermal conductivity material, such as aluminum. Material selection for the porous insert is preferably further characterized by the requirement for a porous structure having a porosity in the range of about 3 to 20 microns. In addition, the porous insert 452 may be advantageously manufactured in a process including an injection step.

However, another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 12, which shows a tube assembly 450 for a vacuum forming a preform 32. Tube assembly 450 includes a tube 454 that can be processed from an available tube stock, but an ejected tube (illustrated in FIG. 9), such as tube 352, may also be used. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the tube 454 includes an insert bore 455 to receive a porous insert 452. The porous insert 452 is retained in the tube 454 by a central plug 464, which is received in the first and second plug bores 457 and 458 of the tube 454. In addition, the central plug 464 is retained in the tube 454 by a shoulder 467 that supports the staff between the first and second plug bores 457 and 458. The shoulder 467 of the central plug 464 corresponds to the staff at the diameter of the central plug 464 with a narrow portion. At its top is an annular channel 465 provided between the central plug 464 and the second plug bore 458 of the tube 454. The annular channel 465 connects the pressure channel 466 of the porous insert 452 to a channel 420 formed in the central plug 464 that is connected for use in the first vacuum channel in the take-out plate 28. . The central plug 464 includes an inner surface 403 substantially corresponding to the dome portion of the preform 32 that can be used to mold and cool the area. The central plug 464 further includes inlet and outlet coolant channels 490 and 492 and a pressure channel 494 connected to the inlet and outlet channels 116 and 118 and the second pressure channel, respectively, on the take out plate. The inlet and outlet channels 490 and 492 of the central plug 464 are further connected to cooling grooves 493 formed in the outer surface of the tube 454 forming the cooling circuit. The tube assembly 454 further includes a sleeve 456 retained on the outer surface of the tube 454. Also, between the sleeve 456 and the tube 454 and between the central plug 464 and the tube 454 to provide a tight connection of air and water between the components where the seal 459 forms the tube assembly 450. Is provided. Open to receive an end seal 404 that provides an airtight seal between the preform support shelf 100 and the tube assembly 450 to enclose the volume formed between the preform 32 and the tube assembly 450. It further comprises a groove in the stage, whereby the development of the low vacuum forming pressure required is possible. The main components of the tube assembly 450 are preferably made of a high thermal conductive material, such as aluminum. The operation of the tube assembly 454 mounted to the take out plate of the carrier plate assembly 11 will be described. The take out plate 28 has a cooling fluid inlet and outlet channel corresponding to the port in the central plug 464 and first and second vacuum channels. In use, the preform 32 acts through a pressure channel 494 that further includes the preform 32 once the preform support shelf 100 is sealed against an end seal 404 that blocks air flow. High flow rate suction enters the tube assembly 450. High vacuum is then used through the vacuum channel 420 of the central plug 464 and then through the annular channel 465 and the pressure channel 466, and the vacuum acts through the porous wall of the porous insert 452. The volume of air between the preform 32 and the inner surface 482 of the porous insert 452 is at least partially vented such that the outer surface of the preform contacts the porous insert 452. Once in contact with the porous insert 452, the preform 32 is cooled by conduction, the heat of which passes through the path from the preform exterior surface to the porous insert 452, the tube 454, and the circulating coolant. Delivered. Once sufficient heat is removed from the preform 32 to ensure that it maintains shape, the high vacuum acting through the vacuum channel 466 is released and the positive pressure is released from the pressure channel to assist in the release of the preform 32. 494).

Thus, what has been described is that the cooling tubes injected into plastic parts, the porous inserts used in the tube assemblies as vacuum-formed preforms, the various advantageous embodiments of the tube assemblies, the manufacturing methods mentioned above, and the price of the tubes in injection molding are greatly increased. A method of using a tube assembly that lowers and / or improves the quality of the molded preform 32.

All US and foreign patent documents and articles discussed above are incorporated herein by reference in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

The individual components shown by outlines or by blocks in the accompanying drawings are all known in the injection molding art, the specific construction and operation of which are not critical in practicing the invention.

Although the present invention has been described for what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, the invention includes arrangements equivalent to various modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, while a preferred embodiment of the present invention discusses the present invention in terms of porous inserts, the use of the inserts benefits the ease of manufacture and assembly, but in fact, the inserts are used in thermoformed housings. It can be realized by a conductive but porous coating. As will be appreciated, the cooling technique, along with a defined criterion that is the ability to create a vacuum to facilitate contact of the outer surface of the molded article with the inner surface of the substrate having a porous contour, may be size or weight (eg, preform Size or weight) is not limited. In addition, although the tube assembly of the present invention has been described in connection with an injection molding machine, for example, cooling of the part according to the part molding carried out by a cooling tube or the like in a part exchange mechanism between the injection molding machine and the blow molding machine. The same applies to any technique with respect to. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims (88)

Porous tubes with contoured inner surfaces, Cooperate with the porous tube to provide a reduced pressure in use adjacent the inner surface in use so that the outer surface of the malleable molded plastic part can be located in the tube assembly, and a substantial portion of the outer surface of the malleable part A tube assembly acting on a malleable molded plastic part comprising a vacuum structure in contact with the inner surface of the porous insert during contouring to substantially contour the contour of the inner surface. The tube assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cooling structure configured to, in use, be connected by a heat dissipation path. The tube assembly of claim 2, wherein the vacuum structure comprises a tube body for receiving the porous tube and, in use, at least one vacuum channel configured to connect the porous insert to a vacuum source. The tube assembly of claim 3, wherein the cooling structure includes at least one cooling channel provided in the tube body. A molding structure for molding at least one plastic part in use,  At least one porous cooling cavity formed for securing and cooling at least one plastic part in use after being molded by the forming structure, And at least one vacuum channel configured to provide a lower pressure to the at least one porous cavity, respectively, in contact with the at least one plastic part in contact with the inner surface of the at least one porous cavity. 6. The injection molding machine according to claim 5, wherein each said cooling cavity comprises a porous insert disposed in the tube body. The injection molding machine according to claim 6, wherein the cooling cavity further comprises a cooling structure configured to be connected by a heat dissipation path when in use. A porous substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface having a contour reflecting at least a portion of the contour of the molded plastic part, Contoured adjacent to the outer surface and comprising a vacuum channel that, in use, aids in the initial formation of differential pressure from the outer surface of the porous substrate to the inner surface to induce contact between the received molded plastic part and the inner surface. A tube assembly for receiving molded plastic parts. The tube assembly of claim 8, wherein the porous substrate is an insert that can be removably positioned within a body portion of the tube assembly. With the tube body, A porous insert positioned in said tube body, said porous insert including an inner surface and an outer surface having a contour reflecting at least a portion of the contour of a molded plastic part; In fluid communication with the porous insert, a reduced pressure is applied to a portion adjacent to the inner surface such that the outer surface of the malleable molded plastic part can be located in the tube assembly, and a substantial portion of the outer surface of the malleable part At least one vacuum channel configured to be connected in use with a vacuum source contacting the inner surface of the porous insert to form a contour substantially corresponding to the contour of the inner surface during cooling; And a cooling structure configured to connect with a heat dissipation path when in use to cool the molded plastic part in contact with the inner surface of the porous insert. The tube assembly of claim 10, wherein the inner surface of the porous insert includes a closed end having a shape corresponding to the dome portion of the molded plastic part. 12. The tube assembly of claim 11, wherein the tube assembly further comprises a channel at the bottom, wherein in use, the channel is connected to a vacuum or suction unit for inserting the molded plastic part into the tube assembly. 13. The tube assembly of claim 12, further comprising a plug that fits within the tube body to provide a closed end of the tube body. The tube assembly of claim 10, wherein the porous insert is a thermally conductive porous coating applied to the inner surface of the tube body. The tube assembly of claim 10, wherein the porous insert has a porosity in the range of about 3-20 microns. The tube assembly of claim 10, wherein the inner porous insert is made of porous aluminum. The tube assembly of claim 10, wherein the cooling structure is provided by at least one cooling channel provided in the tube body having a shape for carrying the cooling fluid. The tube assembly of claim 10, wherein the cooling structure is provided by thermally coupling the tube body to a heat sink. The tube assembly of claim 10 further comprising a spacer to position the porous insert in the tube body. The tube assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one vacuum channel is provided in the tube body adjacent the porous insert outer surface. The tube assembly of claim 10, wherein the porous insert comprises at least one vacuum channel. The tube assembly of claim 21, wherein at least one vacuum channel is provided as a plurality of channels on an outer surface of the porous insert. The tube assembly of claim 10, further comprising an end seal at the open end of the tube assembly, wherein in use, the end seal helps to create a reduced pressure adjacent the inner surface of the porous insert. The tube assembly of claim 10, further comprising a collar on top of the tube body to retain the porous insert in the tube body. 25. The tube assembly of claim 24, wherein the collar extends inwardly to fit the interior surface of the porous insert. The tube assembly of claim 24, wherein the collar further comprises a lip seal. (1) receiving a molded plastic part into a tube assembly comprising a porous tube; (2) providing a reduced pressure adjacent the inner surface of the porous tube such that a portion of the outer surface of the molded plastic part is in contact with the inner surface of the porous tube to form a shape substantially corresponding to the inner surface; (3) dissipating heat from the molded plastic part via a heat dissipation path to solidify the molded plastic part within a range where the shape of the outer surface is preserved; (4) discharging the molded plastic product, Wherein the outer surface of the molded plastic part has a final shape defined by the inner surface contour of the porous tube. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising maintaining a reduced pressure through the inner surface of the porous tube as the molded plastic part cools. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein discharging the molded plastic article comprises applying a positive pressure through a vacuum channel in the tube assembly. A carrier plate for use in robots in forming systems, At least one tube assembly disposed on the carrier plate and configured to receive a molded plastic part in use, Each of the tube assemblies A porous tube having an inner surface and an outer surface with a contour that reflects at least a portion of the contour of the molded plastic part,  Cooperate with the porous tube to provide a reduced pressure in use adjacent the inner surface in use so that the outer surface of the malleable molded plastic part can be located in the tube assembly, and a substantial portion of the outer surface of the malleable part And a vacuum structure in contact with said inner surface of said porous insert during contouring to contour substantially corresponding to the contour of said inner surface. 31. The arm end tool of claim 30, wherein the tube assembly further comprises a cooling structure configured to connect with the heat dissipation path in use. 32. The arm end tool of claim 31, wherein the vacuum structure comprises a tube body for receiving the porous tube and at least one vacuum channel configured to be connected to a vacuum source in use. 31. The female end tool of claim 30, wherein the number of preformed tube assemblies corresponds to the number of molded plastic parts produced in each corresponding injection cycle of the molding system. 31. The arm end tool of claim 30, wherein the number of preformed tube assemblies corresponds to a multiple of the number of molded plastic parts produced in each corresponding injection cycle of the forming system. The female end tool of claim 30, wherein the porous insert has a porosity in the range of about 3-20 microns. 36. The end of arm tool of claim 35, wherein the porous insert therein is made of porous aluminum. 32. The arm end tool of claim 31, wherein said cooling structure is provided by at least one cooling channel provided in a tube body formed to connect with a cooling fluid channel provided in a carrier plate. 32. The arm end tool of claim 31, wherein the cooling structure is provided by thermally coupling at least one tube assembly to a heat sink provided by a cooled carrier plate. 33. The female end tool of claim 32, wherein at least one vacuum channel is configured to connect with a vacuum channel provided in the carrier plate. A tube having an inner surface provided on the porous substrate,  Cooperating with the porous substrate, allowing a malleable molded plastic part to be positioned in a tube assembly, and a substantial portion of the malleable part's exterior surface has an exterior contour substantially corresponding to the contour of the interior surface during cooling. And a fluid flow structure in contact with said inner surface. The shape of at least a portion of the outer surface of the molded plastic part is a molded plastic part defined by the inner surface of the porous tube, (1) receiving a malleable molded plastic part in a porous tube, (2) reducing the pressure adjacent the inner surface of the porous tube such that a portion of the outer surface of the molded plastic part is brought into contact with the inner surface of the porous tube to form a shape substantially corresponding to the inner surface; (3) dissipating heat from the molded plastic part through the heat dissipation path to solidify the molded plastic part sufficiently so that the outer shape of the molded plastic part is preserved, Wherein a portion of the outer surface of the molded plastic part has a surface finish reflecting a portion of the inner surface of the porous insert. 43. The molded plastic part of claim 41, wherein the porous tube is formed of a porous substrate, preferably with an interior surface having a gap space in the range of about 3-20 microns. 42. The molded plastic part of claim 41, wherein the molded plastic part is a preform. An injection tube having an inner surface and an outer surface, An injection molded plastic part cooling tube device comprising at least one cooling channel produced by injection. 45. The injection molded plastic part cooling tube device of claim 44 wherein the cooling channel is disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface. 45. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising a sleeve cooperating with the tube surrounding the cooling channel, wherein the tube is disposed adjacent to and adjacent to the sleeve, wherein the cooling channel is (1) the outer surface of the tube, (2) An injection molded plastic part cooling tube device located on any one of the inner surfaces of the sleeve. 46. The injection molded plastic part cooling tube device of claim 45, wherein the cooling channel extends in the longitudinal direction of the tube. 48. The injection molded plastic part cooling tube device of claim 47, wherein the cooling channel has a length that is at least about four times the small diameter of the cooling channel of the tube. 49. The injection molded plastic part cooling tube device of claim 48, wherein the tube is a long arcuate slot and includes a plurality of the cooling channels. The injection molded plastic part cooling tube device of claim 49, wherein the cumulative angle range of all long slots is greater than 180 °. 49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the elongated slots are connected to each other to form at least one cooling circuit around the tube. 45. The injection molded plastic part cooling tube device of claim 44, wherein the tube is made of an injectable metal. 53. The injection molded plastic part cooling tube device of claim 52, wherein the tube is comprised of injected aluminum. 45. The injection molded plastic part cooling tube device of claim 44, further comprising a plug disposed at the distal end of the tube and formed to contact the distal end of the injection molded plastic part. 55. The device of claim 54, wherein the plug is made of aluminum and includes a cooling channel inlet, a cooling channel outlet, and at least one pressure channel, wherein the cooling channel inlet, the cooling channel outlet, and the pressure channel are each take- An injection molded plastic part cooling tube device configured to communicate with an out plate cooling channel inlet, a cooling channel outlet, and a pressure channel. 55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the plug has a domed inner surface configured to cool in contact with a corresponding domed end of an injection molded plastic part in the cooling tube. 45. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising an injection molded plastic part sealing structure located at the distal end of the cooling tube. 45. The injection molded plastic part cooling tube device of claim 44, further comprising a porous insert having at least one pressure channel and a contoured inner surface. A molding structure for molding a plurality of plastic parts, Formed to fix and cool the plurality of plastic parts after being molded by the molding structure, each having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one cooling channel manufactured by injection, wherein the plastic parts are provided with An injection molding machine comprising a plurality of injected cooling cavity structures that provide a coolant flow for dissipating heat from the plurality of plastic parts while being secured by the cooled cooling structure. 60. The injection molding machine according to claim 59, wherein said at least one cooling channel is located between said inner surface and said outer surface. 60. The apparatus of claim 59, further comprising a sleeve cooperating with the cooling cavity structure to enclose the cooling channel, wherein the cooling cavity structure is disposed adjacent to and in the sleeve, wherein the cooling channel is (1) the outer surface of the cooling cavity structure, (2) An injection molding machine located on any one of the inner surfaces of the sleeves. 61. The injection molding machine according to claim 60, wherein said at least one cooling channel has a substantially constant contour and extends in the longitudinal direction of each said cooling cavity structure. 63. The injection molding machine of claim 62, wherein the at least one cooling channel has a length that is at least about four times the small diameter of the at least one cooling channel. 66. The injection molding machine according to claim 63, wherein each said cooling cavity structure has a cross section comprising an plurality of cooling channels as an arcuate long slot. The injection molding machine of claim 64, wherein the cumulative angle range of all the long slots is greater than 180 °. 64. The injection molding machine according to claim 63, wherein said long slots are connected to each other to form at least one cooling circuit around each said cooling cavity structure. 60. The injection molding machine according to claim 59, wherein said cooling cavity structure is comprised of an injectionable metal. The injection molding machine of claim 67, wherein the cooling cavity structure is comprised of injected aluminum. 60. The injection molding machine according to claim 59, further comprising a plug located at the distal end of each said cooling cavity structure and configured to contact the distal end of the injection molded plastic part. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the plug is comprised of aluminum and includes a cooling channel inlet, a cooling channel outlet, and at least one pressure channel, wherein the cooling channel inlet, the cooling channel outlet, and the pressure channel are each take- An injection molding machine configured to communicate with an out plate cooling channel inlet, a cooling channel outlet, and a pressure channel. 70. The injection molding machine according to claim 69, wherein the plug has a domed inner surface formed to contact and cool the corresponding shaped end of the injection molded plastic part in each of the cooling cavity structures. 70. The injection molding machine according to claim 69, further comprising a porous insert having at least one pressure channel and a contoured inner surface. 60. The injection molding machine according to claim 59, further comprising an injection molded plastic part sealing structure located at the distal end of each said cooling cavity structure. Injecting a hollow aluminum tube having an inner surface and an outer surface and at least one cooling channel. 75. The method of claim 74, wherein injecting the tube comprises injecting the at least one channel between the inner surface and the outer surface. 75. The method of claim 74, wherein injecting the tube comprises injecting the at least one channel located on the outer surface of the tube. 75. The method of claim 74, wherein the injection step is performed with aluminum. 75. The method of claim 74, wherein injecting the tube comprises injecting the at least one channel such that a cross section of the cooling tube includes a plurality of the cooling channels as an elongated arcuate slot substantially surrounding the inner diameter. Injection molding plastic parts cooling tube. 75. The injection molding of claim 74 wherein the at least one channel comprises a plurality of cooling channels, further comprising machining channel shapes connected between the cooling channels to form a cooling circuit around the cooling tubes. How to mold plastic parts cooling tube. 80. The method of claim 79, further comprising forming a central plug comprising a cooling fluid channel and at least one air vacuum channel. 81. The method of claim 80, further comprising forming a closed end of the cooling tube by placing a plug at one end of the hollow tube. 81. The method of claim 80, further comprising forming a porous insert having at least one pressure channel and a contoured inner surface. 83. The method of claim 82, further comprising inserting the porous insert into the hollow tube and retaining the insert in the tube by insertion of the plug. 83. The method of claim 82, wherein the porous insert is produced by a process comprising injection. An insert bore for receiving the porous insert, at least one plug bore for receiving and retaining a central plug, a cooling groove formed in the outer surface of the tube, and in use, sealing a portion of the preform within the tube and A tube comprising an open end groove for receiving an end seal defining a closed volume between said tubes; A sleeve sealed against the outer surface of the tube and surrounding the groove; An inner surface substantially corresponding to the dome portion of the preform, an inlet and outlet coolant channel connected to the groove of the tube, a pressure channel to assist in receiving and discharging the preform, and a narrow portion of the upper end of the plug and the A central plug comprising a vacuum channel connected to an annular channel formed between the plug bores of the tube; For vacuum forming an injection molded plastic preform comprising a porous insert comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one longitudinal pressure channel connected to said annular channel, formed substantially corresponding to the final required molded surface of the preform. Cooling tube device, In use, the pressure channel is a vacuum of an injection molded plastic preform having a conduit for evacuating air through the porous insert for the purpose of causing the deformable preform to contact the contoured inner surface by the vacuum forming the preform. Cooling tube device for forming. 86. The cooling tube of claim 85, wherein said tube, said porous insert, said plug, and said sleeve are preferably made of a high thermally conductive metal. 87. The cooling tube of claim 86, wherein the porous insert is made of a porous metal, preferably having a porosity in the range of about 3-20 microns. 88. The cooling tube of claim 87, wherein the porous insert material is porous aluminum.