WO2013032622A1

WO2013032622A1 - Mold-tool system including latch assembly configured to selectively latch valve-stem actuation plate with movable section of clamp assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2013032622A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/049240
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeremy Dean HAIBACH; Alan David PFAFF
Original assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-08-30
Filing date: 2012-08-02
Publication date: 2013-03-07

Abstract

A mold-tool system, composing: a latch assembly being configured to selectively latch and de-latch a valve-stem actuation plate of a runner system with a movable section of a clamp assembly. According to one aspect, there is provided a mold-tool system, comprising: a latch assembly being configured to selectively latch and de-latch a valve-stem actuation plate or a runner system with a movable section of a clamp assembly.

Description

MOLD-TOOL SYSTEM INCLUDING LATCH ASSEMBLY CONFIGURED TO

SELECTIVELY LATCH VALVE-STEM ACTUATION PLATE WITH MOVABLE SECTION

OF CLAMP ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects generally relate to (and not limited to) mold-tool systems including (and not limited to) molding systems.

BACKGROUND

United States Patent Number 3488810 discloses a mold assembly constructed for use with valve-gated hot runners in the injection molding field.

United States Patent Number 6755641 discloses a stack injection molding apparatus that has first and second arrays of valve gate injection nozzles and separate mechanisms for independently actuating the nozzles of each array. A separate reciprocating yoke plate engages the valve pins of each nozzle array, and is actuated by either one centrally located actuator or a pair of symmetrically located actuators.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, there is provided a mold-tool system (100), comprising: a latch assembly (102) being configured to selectively latch and de-latch a valve-stem actuation plate (800) of a runner system (916) with a movable section (905) of a clamp assembly (904). Other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments will now become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The non-limiting embodiments will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 , 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D depict example schematic representations of a mold-tool system (100). The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details that render other details difficult to perceive) may have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENT(S)

FIGS. 1 , 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D depict example schematic representations of a mold-tool system (100). The mold-tool system (100) may include components that are known to persons skilled in the art, and these known components will not be described here; these known components are described, at least in part, in the following reference books (for example): (i) "Injection Molding Handbook' authored by OSSWALD/TURNG/G RAMAN N (ISBN: 3-446-21 669-2), (ii) "Injection Molding Handbook' authored by ROSATO AND ROSATO (ISBN: 0-41 2-99381 -3), (iii) "Injection Molding Systems" 3^rd Edition authored by JOHANNABER (ISBN 3-446-17733-7) and/or (iv) "Runner and Gating Design Handbook' authored by BEAUMONT (ISBN 1 -446-22672-9). It will be appreciated that for the purposes of this document, the phrase "includes (but is not limited to)" is equivalent to the word "comprising." The word "comprising" is a transitional phrase or word that links the preamble of a patent claim to the specific elements set forth in the claim that define what the invention itself actually is. The transitional phrase acts as a limitation on the claim, indicating whether a similar device, method, or composition infringes the patent if the accused device (etc) contains more or fewer elements than the claim in the patent. The word "comprising" is to be treated as an open transition, which is the broadest form of transition, as it does not limit the preamble to whatever elements are identified in the claim.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of a molding system (900) having the mold-tool system (100). The molding system (900) may also be called an injection-molding system for example. According to the example depicted in FIG. 1 , the molding system (900) includes (and is not limited to): (i) an extruder assembly (902), (ii) a clamp assembly (904), (iii) a runner system (916), and/or (iv) a mold assembly (918). By way of example, the extruder assembly (902) is configured, to prepare, in use, a heated, flowable resin, and is also configured to inject or to move the resin from the extruder assembly (902) toward the runner system (916). Other names for the extruder assembly (902) may include injection unit, melt-preparation assembly, etc. By way of example, the clamp assembly (904) includes (and is not limited to): (i) a stationary platen (906), (ii) a movable platen (908), (iii) a rod assembly (910), (iv) a clamping assembly (912), and/or (v) a lock assembly (914). The stationary platen (906) does not move; that is, the stationary platen (906) may be fixedly positioned relative to the ground or floor. The movable platen (908) is configured to be movable relative to the stationary platen (906). A platen-moving mechanism (not depicted but known) is connected to the movable platen (908), and the platen-moving mechanism is configured to move, in use, the movable platen (908). The rod assembly (910) extends between the movable platen (908) and the stationary platen (906). The rod assembly (910) may have, by way of example, four rod structures positioned at the corners of the respective stationary platen (906) and the movable platen (908). The rod assembly (910) is configured to guide movement of the movable platen (908) relative to the stationary platen (906). A clamping assembly (912) is connected to the rod assembly (910). The stationary platen (906) supports the position of the clamping assembly (912). The lock assembly (914) is connected to the rod assembly (910), or may alternatively be connected to the movable platen (908). The lock assembly (914) is configured to selectively lock and unlock the rod assembly (910) relative to the movable platen (908). By way of example, the runner system (916) is attached to, or is supported by, the stationary platen (906). The runner system (916) includes (and is not limited to) a mold-tool system (100). The definition of the mold-tool system (100) is as follows: a system that may be positioned and/or may be used in a platen envelope (901 ) defined by, in part, an outer perimeter of the stationary platen (906) and the movable platen (908) of the molding system (900) (as depicted in FIG. 1 ). The molding system (900) may include (and is not limited to) the mold-tool system (100). The runner system (916) is configured to receive the resin from the extruder assembly (902). By way of example, the mold assembly (918) includes (and is not limited to): (i) a mold-cavity assembly (920), and (ii) a mold-core assembly (922) that is movable relative to the mold-cavity assembly (920). The mold-core assembly (922) is attached to or supported by the movable platen (908). The mold-cavity assembly (920) is attached to or supported by the runner system (916), so that the mold-core assembly (922) faces the mold-cavity assembly (920). The runner system (916) is configured to distribute the resin from the extruder assembly (902) to the mold assembly (918).

In operation, the movable platen (908) is moved toward the stationary platen (906) so that the mold-cavity assembly (920) is closed against the mold-core assembly (922), so that the mold assembly (918) may define a mold cavity configured to receive the resin from the runner system (916). The lock assembly (914) is engaged so as to lock the position of the movable platen (908) so that the movable platen (908) no longer moves relative to the stationary platen (906). The clamping assembly (912) is then engaged to apply a camping pressure, in use, to the rod assembly (910), so that the clamping pressure then may be transferred to the mold assembly (918). The extruder assembly (902) pushes or injects, in use, the resin to the runner system (916), which then the runner system (916) distributes the resin to the mold cavity structure defined by the mold assembly (918). Once the resin in the mold assembly (918) is solidified, the clamping assembly (912) is deactivated so as to remove the clamping force from the mold assembly (918), and then the lock assembly (914) is deactivated to permit movement of the movable platen (908) away from the stationary platen (906), and then a molded article may be removed from the mold assembly (918).

The definition of the mold-tool system (100) is as follows: a system that may be positioned and/or may be used in the platen envelope (901 ) defined by a stationary platen (906) and a movable platen (908) of a molding system (900), such as an injection-molding system for example.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D depict examples or embodiments of the mold-tool system (100). Generally speaking, the common description for the examples of the mold- tool system (100) is as follows: the mold-tool system (100) includes (and is not limited to) a latch assembly (102) configured to selectively latch and de-latch a valve-stem actuation plate (800) of a runner system (916) with a movable section (905) of a clamp assembly (904). It will be appreciated that a supplier or vendor of the mold-tool system (100) may provide the mold-tool system (100) to an end user as a retrofit item to be installed in an existing molding system that already has or already includes a combination of the following elements: (i) the valve-stem actuation plate (800) and, (ii) the movable section (905). In addition, for the case of integration, the vendor or supplier of the molding system (900) may integrate the mold-tool system (100) into the molding system (900) and then sell the molding system (900) to the end user. Therefore, it will be appreciated that in accordance with another approach, the mold-tool system (100) includes (and is not limited to) a combination of the following elements: (i) a valve-stem actuation plate (800) of a runner system (916), (ii) a movable section (905) of a clamp assembly (904), and (iii) a latch assembly (102) being configured to selectively latch and de-latch the valve-stem actuation plate (800) with the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904). It will be appreciated that the molding system (900) may have the mold-tool system (100). In addition, it will be appreciated that the clamp assembly (904) may have the mold-tool system (100). By way of example, the runner system (916) includes (and is not limited to): (i) a biasing mechanism (801 ) such as a spring assembly, (ii) a backing plate (802), (iii) a manifold- backing plate (803), (iv) a manifold plate (804), (v) a guidance assembly (806) such as a pin assembly, (vi) a stem assembly (810), (vii) a nozzle assembly (812), and (viii) the valve- stem actuation plate (800). It will be appreciated that the manifold-backing plate (803) is optional, and that some runner system (916) may use the manifold-backing plate (803) while others may not. An actuator (not depicted and known) is configured to actuatably move the valve-stem actuation plate (800). The mold assembly (918) includes (and is not limited to): (i) a mold-cavity portion (814), and (ii) a mold-core portion (816) that is configured to face the mold-cavity portion (814). For the case where the movable platen (908) is moved toward the stationary platen (906) so that the mold-cavity portion (814) faces and contacts the mold-core portion (816), a mold cavity is formed so that the mold cavity may then receive a resin (molding material) from the runner system (916). The backing plate (802) is mounted or connected to the stationary platen (906), and faces the movable platen (908). The manifold-backing plate (803) is connected to the backing plate (802), and faces the movable platen (908). The manifold plate (804) is connected o the manifold-backing plate (803), and faces the movable platen (908). The mold-cavity assembly (920) is connected to the manifold plate (804), and faces the movable platen (908). A clamp plate (921 ) is connected to the movable platen (908), and faces the stationary platen (906). The mold-core assembly (922) is connected to the clamp plate (921 ), and faces the stationary platen (906). The backing plate (802) defines a pocket (808) that is configured to receive and accommodate movement of the valve-stem actuation plate (800). The valve-stem actuation plate (800) is movable towards and away from the stationary platen (906) and the movable platen (908), on a side to side orientation. The valve-stem actuation plate (800) is slidably mounted to the guidance assembly (806) that extends from the manifold-backing plate (803) toward the stationary platen (906). The guidance assembly (806) is configured to permit sliding movement of the valve-stem actuation plate (800) between the stationary platen (906) and the movable platen (908) within the pocket (808). The manifold plate (804) houses or accommodates, at least in part, positioning of the stem assembly (810) and of the nozzle assembly (812). On end of the stem assembly (810) is connected to the valve-stem actuation plate (800), while the opposite end of the stem assembly (810) is configured to interact with a mold gate. The mold gate is the interface between the runner assembly 9916) and the mold assembly (918). The mold gate is configured to permit flow of the resin into the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918). The nozzle assembly (812) houses the stem assembly (810). It will be appreciated that there may be a plurality of stem assemblies (not depicted) connected to the valve-stem actuation plate (800), but for the sake of providing a simplified example, one stem assembly (810) is depicted in the FIGS, for sake of convenient, simplified illustration. The manifold-backing plate (803), the manifold plate (804), the mold-cavity assembly (920) each may define (as required) a pin channel (108) that is configured to receive and permit sliding movement of the latch pin (106). According to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, one end of the latch pin (106) is attached to the valve-stem actuation plate (800), while an opposite end of the latch pin (106) is configured to selectively latch and de-latch with the latch mechanism (104). It will be appreciated that, generally speaking, the position of the latch mechanism (104) is in the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904), and that there are various examples of where the latch mechanism (104) may be positioned (described below). The biasing mechanism (801 ) connects to the valve-stem actuation plate (800) and to the backing plate (802). The biasing mechanism (801 ) is configured to bias or urge movement of the valve-stem actuation plate (800) back to a stem-closed position of the stem assembly (810) (as depicted in FIG. 2A).

It will be appreciated that FIG. 2A depicts an unlatched state in which the movable platen (908) is moved away from the stationary platen (906) such that the mold-core assembly (922) is separated form the mold-cavity assembly (920), and the mold-tool system (100) is depicted as being in an unlatched position or unlatched state in accordance with FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2A, the stem assembly (810) is in the stem-closed position (that is, a resin no-flow state) so that the resin does not flow from the runner system (916) to the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918). In the stem-closed position, the valve-stem actuation plate (800) is moved toward the movable platen (908) so that the stem assembly (810) is temporarily placed into the mold gate thus blocking the flow of the resin into the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918). In the stem-closed position, the latch assembly (102) is positioned so that the latch assembly (102) de-latches the valve-stem actuation plate (800) with the movable section (905). The movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904) is moved so as to cause the latch assembly (102) to not move the valve-stem actuation plate (800) toward the stationary platen (906), and thus the stem assembly (810) remains positioned in the mold gate, and thus the stem assembly (810) blocks and prevents the flow of the resin through the mold gate to the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918) from the runner system (916).

It will be appreciated that FIG. 2B depicts a latched state in which the movable platen (908) is moved toward the stationary platen (906) such that the mold-core assembly (922) contacts the mold-cavity assembly (920), and the mold-tool system (100) is depicted as being in the latched position or latched state in accordance with FIG. 2B. In FIG. 2B, the stem assembly (810) is in a stem-opened position (that is a resin-flow state) so that the resin may flow from the runner system (916) to the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918) along a direction (811 ). In the stem-opened position, the valve-stem actuation plate (800) is moved toward the stationary platen (906) so that the stem assembly (810) is temporarily removed form the mold gate thus permitting flow of the resin along direction (811 ) and into the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918). In the stem-opened position, the latch assembly (102) is positioned so that the latch assembly (102) latches the valve-stem actuation plate (800) with the movable section (905). The movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904) is moved so as to cause the latch assembly (102) to move the valve- stem actuation plate (800) toward the stationary platen (906), thus to move the stem assembly (810) away from the mold gate, and thus once the mold gate is opened then resin may flow into the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918) from the runner system (916).

By way of example (and not limited thereto), according to a first option as depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, the latch assembly (102) includes (and is not limited to): (i) a latch mechanism (104) positioned in the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904), and (ii) a latch pin (106) extending from the valve-stem actuation plate (800) toward the latch mechanism (104). The latch mechanism (104) is configured to selectively latch and de-latch with a distal end of the latch pin (106).

According to a first variation of the first option as depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B, the latch mechanism (104) is positioned in a mold-core assembly (922) of a mold assembly (918) of the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904). According to a second variation of the first option as depicted in FIG. 2C, the latch mechanism (104) is positioned in a clamp plate (921 ) of the mold assembly (918) of the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904).

According to a third variation of the first option as depicted in FIG. 2D, the latch mechanism (104) is positioned in a movable platen (908) of the clamp assembly (904).

By way of example (and not limited thereto), according to a second option as depicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, the latch assembly (102) includes (and is not limited to): (i) a latch mechanism (104) being positioned in the valve-stem actuation plate (800), and (ii) a latch pin (106) extending from the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904) toward the latch mechanism (104), the latch mechanism (104) being configured to selectively latch and de-latch with a distal end of the latch pin (106).

It will be appreciated that FIG. 3A depicts the unlatched state. In FIG. 3A, the stem assembly (810) is in the stem-closed position (that is, a resin no-flow state) so that the resin does not flow from the runner system (916) to the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918). In the stem-closed position, the latch assembly (102) is positioned so that the latch assembly (102) de-latches the valve-stem actuation plate (800) with the movable section (905). The movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904) is moved so as to cause the latch assembly (102) to not move the valve-stem actuation plate (800) toward the stationary platen (906), and thus the stem assembly (810) remains positioned in the mold gate, and thus the stem assembly (810) blocks and prevents the flow of the resin through the mold gate to the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918) from the runner system (916). It will be appreciated that FIG. 3B depicts the latched state; that is, the mold assembly (91 8) closed and the stem assembly (810) is retracted to open the mold gate). In FIG. 2B, the stem assembly (810) is in a stem-opened position (that is a resin-flow state) so that the resin may flow from the runner system (916) to the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918). In the stem-opened position, the valve-stem actuation plate (800) is moved toward the stationary platen (906) so that the stem assembly (810) is temporarily removed form the mold gate thus permitting flow of the resin along direction (811 ) and into the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918). In the stem-opened position, the latch assembly (102) is positioned so that the latch assembly (102) latches the valve-stem actuation plate (800) with the movable section (905). The movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904) is moved so as to cause the latch assembly (102) to move the valve-stem actuation plate (800) toward the stationary platen (906), thus to move the stem assembly (810) away from the mold gate, and thus once the mold gate is opened then resin may flow into the mold cavity of the mold assembly (918) from the runner system (916). According to a first variation of the second option as depicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B, the latch pin (106) extends from a mold-core assembly (922) of a mold assembly (918) of the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904).

According to a second variation of the second option as depicted in FIGS. 3C, the latch pin (106) extends from a clamp plate (921 ) of the mold assembly (918) of the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904). According to a third variation of the second option as depicted in FIGS. 3D, the latch pin (106) extends from a movable platen (908) of the clamp assembly (904). Generally speaking, the clamp assembly (904) is configured to open or close mold gates in a synchronized motion. The mold gates are defined as openings that permit flow of resin from the runner system (916) to the mold assembly (918). The stem assembly (810) is attached to the valve-stem actuation plate (800) that is driven closed by the biasing mechanism (801 ), and the stem assembly (810) is actuated open with the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904) by way of the latch assembly (102). When the mold assembly (918) has closed, the latch pin (106) of the latch assembly (102) may be latched to the latch mechanism (104), which may include an electrically-actuated mechanism or a pneumatic-actuated system, that is configured to hold the latch pin (106) and the valve- stem actuation plate (800) in the stem open position. At the end of hold cycle, a signal is sent to the latch mechanism (104) to release the latch pin (106) so that the latch pin (106), along with the valve-stem actuation plate (800), may move to the stem-closed position via the action of the biasing mechanism (801 ) located behind the valve-stem actuation plate (800) that pushes the valve-stem actuation plate (800) in the direction toward the mold assembly (918).

During a molding cycle, the mold assembly (918) closes, and as the mold assembly (918) reaches the final 10 millimeters (mm) (for example) of its stroke, the mold-core assembly (922) (which may be called the cold half side) makes contact with the latch pin (106) on the hot half side (the hot half side is the side that is attached to the stationary platen (906). The latch pin (106) connects to one end to the valve-stem actuation plate (800) which all valve stems may be connected to. The other end is free until the mold assembly (918) closes and the latch pin (106) engages with the latch mechanism (104), which may be an electrical- based or pneumatic-based latching device. As the mold assembly (918) continues to close, the valve-stem actuation plate (800) and stem assembly (810) are driven back against biasing mechanism (801 ). The stem assembly (810) is completely open when the parting lines touch. The parting line is the line that contacts the mold-core assembly (922) with the mold-cavity assembly (920).

After the holding phase of the molding cycle, the signal changes to allow the latch mechanism (104) to release the latch pin (106) which allows the biasing mechanism (801 ) to push the valve-stem actuation plate (800) and stem assembly (810) to the closed position. During this time, the clamp assembly (904) maintains tonnage to the mold assembly (918). As cooling time expires, the mold assembly (918) opens, molded parts may be ejected from the mold cavity, and the molding cycle may repeat. The clamp stroke of the clamp assembly (904) is used to overcome biasing force of the biasing mechanism (801 ) during the last moments of closing of the mold assembly (918). It may be possible so that the full force of the biasing mechanism (801 ) is only applied after the mold assembly (918) has been clamped so that biasing force of the biasing mechanism (801 ) is available when the biasing mechanism (801 ) is really needed, which is during the stem closing stage. It may be possible to use electric/pneumatic assist (not depicted) to help move the valve-stem actuation plate (800) to the stem open position during mold closing, and this may reduce the force required by the clamp stroke to open the stem assembly (810) during mold closing. The following are advantages that may be realized: (i) reduced energy consumption for the case where a single smaller actuator is required (electric preferred), (ii) reduction of stem timing issues (stems open at exactly the moment that they are needed), and thus may reduce operator setup error, (iii) potential for a relatively low cost plate actuated valve gate solution, so that potentially no specialized servo controller, motor, ball screw, etc are needed, (iv) benefits of valve gate (vestige/lower pressures/no drool), (v) benefits of plate actuation with assurance that all of the gates open and close at exactly the same time, (vi) faster stem actuation times, with a potential to slightly reduce cycle times, (vii) possible reduction in hot half shutheight, (viii) reduced maintenance cost (fewer moving parts), such that the wear parts that do require replacement can be easily replaced in the machine.

It will be appreciated that the assemblies and modules described above may be connected with each other as may be required to perform desired functions and tasks that are within the scope of persons of skill in the art to make such combinations and permutations without having to describe each and every one of them in explicit terms. There is no particular assembly, components, or software code that is superior to any of the equivalents available to the art. There is no particular mode of practicing the inventions and/or examples of the invention that is superior to others, so long as the functions may be performed. It is believed that all the crucial aspects of the invention have been provided in this document. It is understood that the scope of the present invention is limited to the scope provided by the independent claim(s), and it is also understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to: (i) the dependent claims, (ii) the detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the abstract, and/or (v) description provided outside of this document (that is, outside of the instant application as filed, as prosecuted, and/or as granted). It is understood, for the purposes of this document, the phrase "includes (and is not limited to)" is equivalent to the word "comprising." It is noted that the foregoing has outlined the non-limiting embodiments (examples). The description is made for particular non-limiting embodiments (examples). It is understood that the non-limiting embodiments are merely illustrative as examples.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A mold-tool system (100), comprising:

a latch assembly (102) being configured to selectively latch and de-latch a valve-stem actuation plate (800) of a runner system (916) with a movable section (905) of a clamp assembly (904).

2. A mold-tool system (100), comprising:

a valve-stem actuation plate (800) of a runner system (916);

a movable section (905) of a clamp assembly (904); and

a latch assembly (102) being configured to selectively latch and de-latch the valve-stem actuation plate (800) with the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904).

3. The mold-tool system (100) of any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein:

the latch assembly (102) includes:

a latch mechanism (104) being positioned in the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904); and

a latch pin (106) extending from the valve-stem actuation plate (800) toward the latch mechanism (104), the latch mechanism (104) being configured to selectively latch and de-latch with a distal end of the latch pin (106).

4. The mold-tool system (100) of claim 3, wherein:

the latch mechanism (104) is positioned in a mold-core assembly (922) of a mold assembly (918) of the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904).

5. The mold-tool system (100) of claim 3, wherein:

the latch mechanism (104) is positioned in a clamp plate (921 ) of the mold assembly (918) of the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904).

6. The mold-tool system (100) of claim 3, wherein:

the latch mechanism (104) is positioned in a movable platen (908) of the clamp assembly (904).

7. The mold-tool system (100) of any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein:

the latch assembly (102) includes:

a latch mechanism (104) being positioned in the valve-stem actuation plate (800); and

a latch pin (106) extending from the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904) toward the latch mechanism (104), the latch mechanism (104) being configured to selectively latch and de-latch with a distal end of the latch pin (106).

8. The mold-tool system (100) of claim 7, wherein:

the latch pin (106) extends from a mold-core assembly (922) of a mold assembly (918) of the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904).

9. The mold-tool system (100) of claim 7, wherein:

the latch pin (106) extends from a clamp plate (921 ) of the mold assembly (918) of the movable section (905) of the clamp assembly (904).

10. The mold-tool system (100) of claim 7, wherein:

the latch pin (106) extends from a movable platen (908) of the clamp assembly (904).

11. A molding system (900) having the mold-tool system (100) of any preceding claim.

12. A clamp assembly (904) of a molding system (900), the clamp assembly (904) having the mold-tool system (100) of any preceding claim.