Grove imprinting device for injection molded parts

摘要

The invention provides a mold insert system that includes an insert for insertion into an injection mold apparatus and an actuator. The insert includes a movable imprint plate with a predetermined pattern of protrusions configured to form grooves in an article molded by the mold apparatus. The insert also includes a stationary piece with a pattern of slots configured to correspond to the predetermined pattern of protrusions in the imprint plate. The actuator moves the imprint plate from a first position in which the protrusions on the imprint plate do not extend beyond the slots in the stationary piece to a second position in which the protrusions on the imprint plate extend temporarily beyond the slots in the stationary piece. An injection mold apparatus including the mold insert system, as well as a method of making a molded article including the mold insert system are also provided.