On-demand ejection for injection molds

Abstract

An injection-molding machine includes various devices for increasing production efficiency and protecting the mold from closing on molded articles. A method for increasing production efficiency and protecting the mold from closing on articles, or portions thereof, is disclosed. This detection system and method determines if a molded article, or portion thereof, remains in the mold after the first ejection sequence has occurred. This condition is determined by the article-detection controller which enables the molding machine controller to perform the next molding cycle if the said molded article, or portion thereof, is not detected in said mold. The article-detection controller enables the molding machine controller to perform an additional ejection sequence on the mold ejector system if said molded article, or portion thereof, is detected in said mold. If the molded article, or portion thereof, is detected in said mold after the second ejection, subsequent ejection sequences and inspections are performed to self-correct the problem. After exhausting the predetermined number of ejection sequences, the molding machine controller will signal for alternative intervention.

1 . A method of performing additional ejection sequences in an injection mold on demand comprising the steps of: 
 a) Detecting the presence of a molded article, or portion thereof, in the injection mold    b) Initiating the next molding cycle if the said molded article, or portion thereof, is not detected in the said mold    c) Activating an ejection sequence if said molded article, or portion thereof, is detected in said mold    
     
     
         2 . The method of detecting the presence of said molded article, or portion thereof, of  claim 1  is accomplished with a vision-system  
     
     
         3 . The method of detecting the presence of said molded article, or portion thereof, of  claim 1  is accomplished with one or more radiation emitting and receiving sensors  
     
     
         4 . The method of detecting the presence of said molded article, or portion thereof, of  claim 1  detects the presence of said molded article, or portion thereof, in said injection mold and portions of the mold which are not in position prior to initiating said next cycle  
     
     
         5 . Said article, or portion thereof, of  claim 1  is the molded part  
     
     
         6 . Said article, or portion thereof, of  claim 1  is a byproduct of molding the part  
     
     
         7 . Said ejection sequences of  claim 1  are mechanical sequences  
     
     
         8 . Said ejection sequences of  claim 1  are pneumatic sequences  
     
     
         9 . Said injection mold of  claim 1  is a plastic-injection mold  
     
     
         10 . Said injection mold of  claim 1  is a metal-injection mold  
     
     
         11 . Said injection mold of  claim 1  is a silicon-injection mold  
     
     
         12 . Said molded article, or portion thereof, of  claim 1  is a plastic-injection molded article, or portion thereof  
     
     
         13 . Said molded article, or portion thereof, of  claim 1  is a metal-injection molded article, or portion thereof  
     
     
         14 . Said molded article, or portion thereof, of  claim 1  is a silicon-injection molded article, or portion thereof