Locating ring and method for positioning parts

摘要

A mold tool has a first mold part with a first side forming a first surface, a nozzle exposed on the first side of the first mold part, and a locating ring mounted to the first mold part. The ring has a body of a metal material and a guard of a material softer than the metal material. The body has a ring shape, a perimeter surface facing radially outward, a central opening concentric with a center axis, a mounting face, and a locating face opposite the mounting face. The guard is connected to the body radially within the perimeter surface and projects axially beyond the locating face. The locating ring surrounds and exposes the nozzle. The locating ring can be mounted to the first mold part. A second mold part can be arranged in proximity to the first mold part and have a locating hole in a second surface. The mold parts can be moved toward one another until the guard contacts the second surface or enters the locating hole. The mold parts can be repositioned relative to one another until the guard and the perimeter surface align with the locating hole and then can be moved further toward one another until the locating ring seats in the locating hole and the first and second surfaces engage one another.

主权项

1. A method of aligning parts of a molding machine, the method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a locating ring having a metal body and a guard formed of a material softer than the metal of the body, the metal body having a ring shape, a perimeter surface facing radially outward, a center axis, a mounting face, and a locating face opposite the mounting face, the guard connected to the body radially within the perimeter surface and projecting axially beyond the locating face; mounting the locating ring to a first side of a first mold part, the first mold part having a first surface on the first side; arranging a second mold part and the first mold part in proximity to one another, the second mold part having a second surface with a locating hole therein; moving the first and second surfaces of the first and second mold parts toward one another until the guard contacts the second surface or enters the locating hole; repositioning the first and second mold parts relative to one another as needed until the guard and the perimeter wall align with the locating hole; and further moving the first and second mold parts toward one another until the locating ring seats in the locating hole and the first and second surfaces engage one another.