METHODS FOR FORMING INJECTED MOLDED PARTS AND IN-MOLD SENSORS THEREFOR

摘要

A method for use in forming a molded part includes providing a mold (100, 200, 500) having a cavity and a movable pin (310, 420, 620, 720), injecting a moldable material into the cavity, biasing the movable pin to maintain an end of the movable pin in contact with the moldable material in the cavity during the curing of the moldable material and until the moldable material is cured, and monitoring movement of the biased movable pin during curing of the moldable material in the mold. Also disclosed is a sensor (300, 400, 600, 700) engageable with an end of a movable pin of a mold for monitoring the forming of a moldable part, and systems employing the same.