WO1996003269A1 - Machine avec systeme d'outil a changement rapide - Google Patents

Machine avec systeme d'outil a changement rapide Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996003269A1
WO1996003269A1 PCT/GB1994/001602 GB9401602W WO9603269A1 WO 1996003269 A1 WO1996003269 A1 WO 1996003269A1 GB 9401602 W GB9401602 W GB 9401602W WO 9603269 A1 WO9603269 A1 WO 9603269A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tool
backplate
machine
platen
guide means
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1994/001602
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Morley George Jones
Roland William Richardson
Original Assignee
Morley George Jones
Roland William Richardson
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB939301507A external-priority patent/GB9301507D0/en
Priority claimed from GB939323806A external-priority patent/GB9323806D0/en
Priority to GB9401171A priority Critical patent/GB2274424B/en
Application filed by Morley George Jones, Roland William Richardson filed Critical Morley George Jones
Priority to PCT/GB1994/001602 priority patent/WO1996003269A1/fr
Publication of WO1996003269A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996003269A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C45/1742—Mounting of moulds; Mould supports
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C33/00—Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor
    • B29C33/30—Mounting, exchanging or centering
    • B29C33/305—Mounting of moulds or mould support plates

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a machine with a fast change tool system-
  • the invention is particularly applicable to injection moulding machines, but is not limited to this application since the fast change tool system provided may be applicable in other moulding and similar process machines.
  • injection moulding machines which include automatic or semi-automatic tool changing apparatus.
  • Such machines are, however, extremely expensive and complex.
  • the automatic tool changing systems cannot easily be applied to existing machines and cannot, in general, operate with existing mould tools.
  • the need exists for a fast change tool system which can be fitted relatively inexpensively to a new or existing injection moulding machine and which is able to accommodate existing mould tools.
  • a machine with a fast change tool system comprising: at least one platen to which a tool is to be secured; fixed guide means on the platen; a backplate on the tool adapted to mate with the guide means to position the backplate at a predetermined location on the platen; and releasable clamping means for clamping the backplate in the said predetermined position.
  • the machine will comprise two platens which face each other and to which respective parts of the tool are secured. In this case, both platens will be provided with appropriate guide means and both tool parts will be fitted with appropriate backplates.
  • the spacing between the platens is adjusted to be equal to the overall size of the proposed tool plus a small working clearance.
  • the tool is then slid into position so that the backplates mate with the guide means to position each backplate at a predetermined and precisely defined position on each platen.
  • the clamping means are then installed to clamp the backplates in the said predetermined positions.
  • the guide means consist of fixed guides provided either directly on the platen or on a suitable adaptor plate secured to the platen.
  • a pair of guides are provided to locate each backplate laterally, and a stop is provided to locate the backplate vertically.
  • the guide means In order to insert a particular tool the guide means would firstly be located at the predetermined position corresponding to the backplate of that tool, and the tool would then be loaded as described above. If the machine is then to operate with a tool having a different size of backplate the guide means will be repositioned after removal of the first tool.
  • the fast change tool system is arranged such that the tool may be inserted between the platens and into its final working position by a single linear movement, for example a vertically downward movement or a horizontal movement.
  • the ejector plate of the tool is provided with a coupling which automatically mates with a coupling provided on the ejector piston of the machine as the tool slides into position.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded trimetric diagram illustrated schematically the tool changing system of the present invention with a mould tool located raised above the tooling area of the machine;
  • Figure 2 illustrates the tool system of Figure 1 with the tools located on the platens and the platens in the closed position;
  • Figure 3 is an elevational view, partly broken away, of the tool system of Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 4 is an exploded trimetric view showing in greater detail a portion of the embodiment of Figure 1;
  • Figures 5A and 5B are detailed views illustrating portions of the tool system of Figures 1-4;
  • Figures 6A and 6B are cross-sectional view illustrating further details of the system of Figures 1-4.
  • FIGs 1 and 2 there is illustrated part of an injection moulding machine 1.
  • the machine includes a fixed platen 2 and a movable platen 3 interconnected by tie-bars 4.
  • the platens 2,3 are interconnected by four tie-bars, one of which has been omitted from Figures 1 and 2 in the interests of clarity.
  • the remaining constructional details of the injection moulding machine will be known to those skilled in the art and are not relevant to the present invention.
  • each platen has secured thereto guide means which, in use, cooperate with backplates 5,6 secured to the respective parts 7A, 7B of a tool 7 to be used in the machine.
  • the guide means 8 comprise pads 9,10 and a stop 11 ( Figure 1) secured directly to the platen 2 by means of appropriate threaded fasteners which engage the conventional threaded fixing holes 12 provided on the platen 2.
  • the guide means are fixed directly to the platen it will be appreciated that, as an alternative, the guide means may be mounted on an adaptor plate which is itself fixed to the platen by an suitable means.
  • the pads 9,10 each provide a guide surface 13,14.
  • the spacing of the guide surfaces corresponds to the overall width of the backplates 5,6 so that when a respective backplate is located between the guide surfaces 13,14 the backplate and thus the tool part connected to it are correctly located, in the horizontal direction, relative to the corresponding platen 2,3. With the lower edge of the backplate resting on the stop 11 the backplate, and thus the tool part attached to it, are correctly located in the vertical direction relative to the corresponding platen 2,3. Thus, with the backplate 5,6 located between the pads 9,10 and resting on the stop 11 the tool part connected to the back plate will be precisely correctly located relative the platen.
  • the guide surfaces 13,14 are located only slightly inwardly of the vertical planes defined by the inner edges of the front and rear pairs of tie-bars 4 respectively.
  • the width of backplate corresponding to the spacing of the guide surfaces 13,14 will be very slightly less than the horizontal spacing of the tie-bars 4. This arrangement will allow the tool to be introduced into the working area between the platens in a vertically downward direction between the upper pair of tie-bars, whilst maximising the size of backplate 5,6 with which the particular machine may be used.
  • the tool is introduced vertically downwardly into the working area between the platens it should " be appreciated that the arrangement of the guide means can be located 90° displaced from that illustrated in the drawings allowing the tool to be introduced horizontally into the working area between the platens from either the front or the rear of the machine, according to the location of the stops 11.
  • Suitable clamp members 15 are provided for clamping the backplates 5,6 against the platens 2,3 after the backplates have been correctly positioned by the guide means .
  • clamp means The particular clamp means illustrated will be described in greater detail hereinafter, but for the moment it should be noted that the function of the clamp means is to hold the backplates 5,6 firmly against the platens 2,3 in the correct location as defined by the interengagement of the backplates and the guide means. In the broadest aspect of the invention any clamp means suitable for this purpose may be utilised.
  • a tool is loaded by first moving the movable platen 3 to a spacing from the fixed platen 2 corresponding to the overall length of the tool 7 (including the backplates 5,6) plus a small working clearance.
  • the complete tool 7, including the backplates 5,6, is then lowered vertically between the tie-bars 4 by suitable means (for example an over-head hoist) so that the backplates 5,6 slide into the required location between the guide surfaces 13,14.
  • suitable lead- in surfaces may be provided.
  • each pad 9,10 may have a sloping lead-in surface 16 at the upper end thereof.
  • the tool is lowered until the lower edges of the backplates 5,6 engage the corresponding stops 11.
  • the stops 11 may incorporate a centering profile which cooperates with an appropriate profile on the backplates to assist in centering the tool on the platen.
  • the tool part 7B connected to the movable platen 3 incorporates an ejector mechanism
  • means are preferably provided for automatically coupling the ejector mechanism of the tool to the ejector piston of the injection moulding machine as the tool is lowered into position.
  • the ejector piston 17 of the injection moulding machine preferably extends slightly beyond the movable platen 3 into the working zone between the platens and is provided with a profile which automatically couples with a mating profile on the ejector mechanism of the tool as the tool is lowered into position.
  • the exact form of the coupling is not critical to the present invention, but, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a head on the rod 17 defined by a groove machined in the rod, the head being adapted to be received within an appropriate socket provided on the ejector mechanism of the tool.
  • a slot 18 is provided in the backplate 6 to allow passage of the head of the ejector piston 17 as the tool is lowered into position.
  • Changing of a tool is accomplished by disconnecting any service connections to the tool, releasing the clamping members, and lifting the tool vertically outwardly of the machine.
  • a new tool having backplates 5,6 adopted to mate with the guide means may then be lowered into position.
  • the backplates of the new tool may be identical to those of the tool which has been removed, but fundamentally the only requirement for the new backplates is that the surfaces which they present to the guide means are at the correct position relative to the tool to ensure that the tool will be correctly located when the new backplate is in engagement with the guide means. If the new backplate is of different thickness from that removed the clamping means will be adjusted as necessary, as described in more detail hereinafter.
  • the tools are quickly and precisely located relative to the platens and can quickly be removed. This considerably simplifies and speeds up the tool changing process and accordingly reduces the down time of the injection moulding machine associated with the tool changing.
  • the clamp members need consist of no more than simple clamps which fix the backplates to the platens after location of the backplates by the guide means, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention the clamp members are of a somewhat more complex construction, but offer significant additional advantages.
  • each clamp member 15 is mounted on a carrier 19 which is itself a sliding fit in a pocket 20 provided in the pad 9.
  • a carrier 19 which is itself a sliding fit in a pocket 20 provided in the pad 9.
  • four such pairs of clamp members and carriers are provided, each having a corresponding pocket 20 in one of the pads 9,10.
  • Each clamp member 15 includes a projection 21 which mates with a pocket 22 provided in the corresponding carrier to locate the clamp member on the carrier.
  • the carrier and clamp member may be locked in the desired correct position by means of a bolt 23 which extends through the clamp member and the carrier into screw threaded engagement with one of the holes 12 provided on the platen 2 or adaptor plate (if an adaptor plate is used).
  • a spring 24 is located between each clamp member 15 and the corresponding carrier 19 to bias the clamp member 15 away from the carrier and its associated platen.
  • each carrier 19 may be located in one of two alternative positions in its corresponding recess 20.
  • the carrier In the first of these positions, as illustrated in Figure 5B, the carrier is located substantially entirely within the pocket 20 and accordingly the end face 25 of the carrier does not project beyond the corresponding guide surface 13,14 of the pad in which the carrier is mounted.
  • the clamp member 15 With the carrier in this position the clamp member 15 may be located in any of a number of indexible positions relative to the carrier.
  • the number of positions in which the clamp member may be located will be determined by the form of the projection 21 and pocket 22, but in general it is envisaged that the clamp member will be locatable in any one of four positions spaced 90° apart in the rotational direction. In each of these positions one of the edges of the clamp member will be presented to the backplate.
  • the clamp member 15 In one of the indexible positions of the clamp member 15 the surface of the clamp member presented to the backplate will not extend beyond the guide surface 13,14 of the pads 9,10. In this position, therefore, the clamp member will not interfere with movement of the backplate in the longitudinal direction of the injection moulding machine. This position of the clamp members may be particular helpful when loading certain tools into the working area of the machine. In each of the other possible indexible positions of each clamp member 15 the clamp member will present a different clamp surface to the backplate located between the pads 9,10. Two such positions are illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B. In Figure 6A the clamp member 15 presents a clamp surface 25 corresponding to a first thickness 26 of backplate 5. When in the position illustrated in Figure 6B the clamp member 15 presents a clamp surface 27 corresponding to backplate thickness 28.
  • the carrier 19 may be removed from its corresponding pocket, rotated through 180° and reinserted until the end face 25 bottoms against shoulders 29 provided in the recess 20. In this position the opposite end face 30 of the carrier 19 will be presented to the backing plate. This end face 30 will be located proud of the guide surface 13,14 of its associated pad, as illustrated in Figure 5A.
  • the end surfaces 30 of the carrier members define alternative guide surfaces corresponding to a relatively smaller size of backplate 5.
  • the clamp members may be utilised in any one of their available indexible positions as described above. It will be noted that the two alternative positions of the carriers 19 will present the through bore in the carriers for the bolts 23 to two different threaded holes 12, thereby enabling the bolt 23 to be tightened directly onto the platen in either of the alternative positions of the carriers.
  • the clamp means may themselves define guide surfaces by the tool backplates. In this case, with the clamp means in their released position guide surfaces on the clamp means will locate the backplate, and the clamp means are then tightened to clamp the backplate back to the platen. If the clamp means are indexible as described above a multiplicity of guide surfaces each corresponding to a different width of backplate may be provided by appropriate indexing of the clamp means.
  • the guide means and clamping means provided on the two platens will, in general, be identical, thereby enabling identical backplates to be used on the two tool parts.
  • the present invention covers an arrangement in which there is only one platen in a machine, and accordingly only one set of guide means, backplate and clamping means are provided.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention se rapporte à une machine avec système d'outil à changement rapide, qui comprend un plateau (2) sur lequel sont fixés des moyens de guidage (13, 14), ainsi qu'une butée qui assure un positionnement précis d'une plaque arrière placée sur un outil interchangeable. La plaque arrière est assujettie au plateau par des éléments de serrage (15) ayant chacun un certain nombre de positions indexables correspondant à différentes épaisseurs de la plaque arrière. Ces éléments de serrage (15) sont montés sur des supports (19), lesquels s'adaptent par coulissement dans des logements (20) situés sur des plaquettes (9) définissant les moyens de guidage (13, 14). Les supports (19) peuvent être retournés pour former des moyens de guidage alternatifs, destinés à recevoir une plaque arrière relativement étroite.
PCT/GB1994/001602 1993-01-26 1994-07-26 Machine avec systeme d'outil a changement rapide WO1996003269A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9401171A GB2274424B (en) 1993-01-26 1994-01-21 Machine with fast change tool system
PCT/GB1994/001602 WO1996003269A1 (fr) 1993-01-26 1994-07-26 Machine avec systeme d'outil a changement rapide

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB939301507A GB9301507D0 (en) 1993-01-26 1993-01-26 Rapid tool changing system for injection moulding machines
GB939309016A GB9309016D0 (en) 1993-01-26 1993-04-30 Flexible rapid tool change and clamping system for injection moulding machines
GB939323806A GB9323806D0 (en) 1993-01-26 1993-11-18 Flexible fast tool change system for injection moulding and similar processes/machines
PCT/GB1994/001602 WO1996003269A1 (fr) 1993-01-26 1994-07-26 Machine avec systeme d'outil a changement rapide

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996003269A1 true WO1996003269A1 (fr) 1996-02-08

Family

ID=27450989

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1994/001602 WO1996003269A1 (fr) 1993-01-26 1994-07-26 Machine avec systeme d'outil a changement rapide

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1996003269A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITUA20161676A1 (it) * 2016-03-15 2017-09-15 Sacmi Metodo ed attrezzo per assemblare uno stampo femmina, e disposizione di stampo femmina.

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2536697A1 (fr) * 1982-11-27 1984-06-01 Hehl Karl Unite de fermeture d'une machine a injection pour plastiques comportant un dispositif d'ejection
JPS6131220A (ja) * 1984-07-24 1986-02-13 Kyowa Denshi Sangyo Kk 射出成形用金型の支持台
US5096404A (en) * 1990-10-31 1992-03-17 At&T Bell Laboratories Quick mold change arrangement for injection molding machines
JPH05104533A (ja) * 1991-05-29 1993-04-27 Nissei Plastics Ind Co 成形機の金型取付装置
JPH05169455A (ja) * 1991-12-24 1993-07-09 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd 成形金型の取付装置

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2536697A1 (fr) * 1982-11-27 1984-06-01 Hehl Karl Unite de fermeture d'une machine a injection pour plastiques comportant un dispositif d'ejection
JPS6131220A (ja) * 1984-07-24 1986-02-13 Kyowa Denshi Sangyo Kk 射出成形用金型の支持台
US5096404A (en) * 1990-10-31 1992-03-17 At&T Bell Laboratories Quick mold change arrangement for injection molding machines
JPH05104533A (ja) * 1991-05-29 1993-04-27 Nissei Plastics Ind Co 成形機の金型取付装置
JPH05169455A (ja) * 1991-12-24 1993-07-09 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd 成形金型の取付装置

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 10, no. 187 (M - 493)<2243> 2 July 1986 (1986-07-02) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 17, no. 449 (M - 1465) 18 August 1993 (1993-08-18) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 17, no. 576 (M - 1499) 20 October 1993 (1993-10-20) *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITUA20161676A1 (it) * 2016-03-15 2017-09-15 Sacmi Metodo ed attrezzo per assemblare uno stampo femmina, e disposizione di stampo femmina.
WO2017158532A1 (fr) * 2016-03-15 2017-09-21 Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa Procédé et outil pour assembler un moule femelle et un agencement de moule femelle
US11065784B2 (en) 2016-03-15 2021-07-20 Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa Method and a tool for assembling a female mould and a female mould arrangement
US11433570B2 (en) 2016-03-15 2022-09-06 Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa Method and a tool for assembling a female mould and a female mould arrangement

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