METHOD AND INJECTION MOLDING MACHINE HAVING A MODULAR STRUCTURE

1 . A method for assembly of injection molding machines of different sizes constructed in modular form at a machine manufacturer and for transport of such modular injection molding machines, comprising the steps of:

producing at a manufacturer a mold clamping side of an injection module of an injection molding machine as a first part of a machine bed with standardized upper and lower assembly or coupling interfaces, forming a first module;

producing at a manufacturer an injection unit side of an injection module of an injection molding machine as a second part of a machine bed with standardized upper and lower assembly or coupling interfaces, forming a second module; and

assembling the mold clamping side and the injection unit side during final assembly at an installation site of the complete injection molding machine by connecting the mold clamping module with the injection module or with a drive module by way of the standardized upper and lower assembly or coupling interfaces of the mold clamping side and the injection unit side, so as to form a one-piece injection molding machine having a bending-resistant substructure.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a smaller or midsize injection molding machine is, after final assembly, handled and transported as a single piece and also installed at the installation site as a single piece, and subsequently handled at the installation site or at a user site as an inseparable machine.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first module is selected from a line of mold clamping products.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the second module is selected from a line of injection unit products.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the drive module or a third module are configured as an injection module substructure.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the drive module is selected from a line of drives module products.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second module comprises an injection unit and a support element, with the support element being connected to the drive module by way of the standardized assembly or coupling interfaces.

8 . The method of claim 3 , wherein a mold clamping module defines an injection axis height, wherein the injection module comprises a support element or a support tube which is connected with the drive module at the standardized assembly or coupling interfaces by way of height-adjustable spacers.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one-piece injection molding machine is constructed to be lifted and transported with a hoist.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the injection module defines an injection axis and comprises a nozzle-side platen which is directly connected with the mold clamping module by way of standardized injection unit interfaces arranged symmetrical with respect to the injection axis, for transferring a pressing force to a mold via tie rods.