Injection molding and casting of materials using a vertical injection molding system

摘要

An injection molding system and methods for improving performance of the same. The system includes a plunger rod and a melt zone that are provided in-line and on a vertical axis. The plunger rod is moved in a vertical direction through the melt zone to move molten material into a mold. The injection molding system can perform the melting and molding processes under a vacuum. Skull formation in molten material is reduced by providing an RF transparent sleeve in the melt zone and/or a skull trapping portion adjacent an inlet of the mold. It can also be controlled based on the melting unit. Vacuum evacuation can be reduced during part ejection by using a plunger seal, so that evacuation time between cycles is reduced.

主权项

1. An injection molding system comprising:
a mold defining a mold cavity; a melt zone connected to the mold cavity via a shot sleeve; a plunger configured to push a material from the melt zone into the mold cavity through the shot sleeve; and a sealing member surrounding a portion of the plunger and configured to:
remain at least partially out of contact with the shot sleeve when the plunger is moved in a first direction; andcontact the shot sleeve when the plunger is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby forming a seal between the melt zone and the mold cavity.