Apparatus and method for vacuum injection molding

摘要

An apparatus and method utilize vacuum injected molding of a liquid in a plurality of mold cells for solidification therein. An injection head includes spaced apart vacuum and injection slots positionable atop a mold plate in flow communication with the mold cells therein. Relative axial sliding is effected between the injection head and the mold plate for sequentially evacuating gas from the mold cells using a continuous vacuum followed in turn by sequentially injecting into the evacuated mold cells the liquid from a continuous source thereof. Sliding of the injection head over the mold plate automatically provides self valving for sequentially evacuating and filling the mold cells from the same side of the mold plate. In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum and injection slots are linked together at the mold plate so that surface tension of the liquid restrains flow of the liquid from the injection slot to the vacuum slot while allowing gas flow therebetween for effecting the vacuum in the mold cells.