Guide rail system for mold box
A mold box having a first mold plate and a second mold plate. The mold box includes a single elongate guide rail extending through a bore defined by the second mold plate. The single elongate guild rail allows the second mold plate to be movably arranged relative to the first mold plate.
1 . An injection molding machine comprising:
a frame;
a clamping unit being attached to the frame; and
a linear drive mechanism,
wherein:
the clamping unit comprises:
a clamping unit frame;
a base plate fixedly arranged at a first end of the clamping unit frame;
a second end structure fixedly arranged at a second end of the clamping unit frame; and
a mold box,
the mold box comprises:
a first mold plate;
said second mold plate movably arranged relative to the first mold plate along a longitudinal axis; and
a main guide rail system configured for guiding the second mold plate linearly away from and towards the first mold plate when moved by the linear drive mechanism of the clamping unit,
the main guide rail system comprises:
only one main guide rail pillar including:
a first end;
a second end, the first end of the main guide rail pillar being fixedly connected to the base plate of the clamping unit, and the second end of the main guide rail pillar, being fixedly connected to the second end structure of the clamping unit; and
a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the cross-section forming a polygon.
2 . The injection molding machine according to claim 1 , wherein the cross-section of the main guide rail pillar is rectangular.
3 . The injection molding machine according to claim 2 , wherein the rectangular shape cross-section of the main guide rail pillar is oriented such that a longer side of the rectangular shape extends vertically and a shorter side of the rectangular shape extends horizontally.
4 . The injection molding machine according to claim 1 , wherein the single main guide rail pillar extends through a second opening in the second mold plate and where said opening in the second mold plate is formed centrally in the second mold plate.
5 . The injection molding machine according to claim 1 , wherein the single main guide rail pillar extends through a second opening in the second mold plate and where said opening in the second mold plate is formed centrally adjacent to a lower edge of the second mold plate.
6 . The injection molding machine according to claim 1 , wherein the single guide rail pillar traverses through a first opening of the first mold plate.
7 . The injection molding machine according to claim 1 , wherein a first end of the main guide rail pillar defines a protrusion configured for cooperating with an enlargement of the first opening in the first mold plate.
8 . An injection molding machine comprising:
a frame;
a clamping unit mounted to the frame;
a linear drive mechanism;
a first mold plate fixed relative to the clamping unit;
a second mold plate arranged for linear movement relative to the first mold plate along a mold opening axis; and
an elongate guide structure extending parallel to the mold opening axis and fixed at opposite ends to the clamping unit, the elongate guide structure supporting the second mold plate during movement by the linear drive mechanism and defining planar guide surfaces that inhibit rotational movement of the second mold plate about the mold opening axis.
9 . The injection molding machine of claim 8 , wherein the elongate guide structure has a polygonal cross-section perpendicular to the mold opening axis.
10 . The injection molding machine of claim 9 , wherein the polygonal cross-section is rectangular.
11 . The injection molding machine of claim 10 , wherein the rectangular cross-section includes a longer side oriented vertically and a shorter side oriented horizontally.
12 . The injection molding machine of claim 8 , wherein the elongate guide structure extends through an opening formed through the second mold plate.
13 . The injection molding machine of claim 12 , wherein the opening is formed centrally in the second mold plate.
14 . The injection molding machine of claim 12 , wherein the opening is formed adjacent to a lower edge of the second mold plate.
15 . The injection molding machine of claim 8 , further comprising a bearing element disposed between the elongate guide structure and the second mold plate, the bearing element including internal surfaces complementary to the planar guide surfaces.
16 . An injection molding machine comprising:
a frame;
a clamping assembly secured to the frame;
a base plate fixed relative to the clamping assembly;
a first mold plate fixed relative to the base plate;
a second mold plate movable relative to the first mold plate;
a linear actuator configured to move the second mold plate; and
a single guide pillar extending between a base-side structure and an opposing end structure of the clamping assembly,
the second mold plate being slidably mounted on the single guide pillar by a bearing arrangement that constrains rotational movement of the second mold plate during linear travel.
17 . The injection molding machine of claim 16 , wherein the guide pillar has a polygonal cross-section defining opposed planar surfaces.
18 . The injection molding machine of claim 17 , wherein the polygonal cross-section is rectangular.
19 . The injection molding machine of claim 16 , wherein the bearing arrangement is received within a through-opening of the second mold plate.
20 . The injection molding machine of claim 16 , wherein the single guide pillar provides the sole structural guidance of the second mold plate relative to the first mold plate.