Cradle for a quick barrel change

摘要

The invention relates broadly to injection molding machines and more particularly to a novel carriage assembly for use in an injection unit of an injection molding machine. Barrels are conventionally mounted at an end in a carriage of an injection unit. Installation of the barrel in a conventional carriage is difficult and time consuming, and prone to alignment errors. A carriage assembly is disclosed having a first carriage coupler and a second carriage coupler. The first carriage coupler secures a barrel intermediate the ends of the barrel to the carriage. The second carriage coupler retains an end of the barrel in the carriage preventing rotation of the barrel during operation. A barrel alignment member in the carriage provides axial and vertical alignment of the barrel assembly in the carriage assembly during installation of the barrel in the carriage.