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 melt zone configured to melt meltable material received therein, the melt zone including an induction source positioned within the melt zone that is configured to heat the meltable material and a sleeve for moving the molten material therethrough, and a plunger rod configured to move molten material from the melt zone, through the sleeve, and into a mold, the plunger rod and melt zone being provided in-line and on a vertical axis, such that the plunger rod is moved in a vertical direction at least through the melt zone to move the molten material into the mold, wherein the sleeve is formed from an RF transparent material.