PLATEN HAVING INTERNAL SPRING-LIKE CHARACTERISTICS FOR PREVENTING DEFORMATION OF MOLD MOUNTING FACE DURING CLAMPING OPERATIONS

摘要

A platen (14) to be operationally coupled to a plurality of tie bars (20) and which is suitable for supporting a mold element in a clamping operation in which the platen is subjected to clamping forces. The platen includes a mold supporting section comprising a mold support (40) having a mold mounting surface (42) for receiving the mold element. A plurality of tie bar engaging members (54) are spaced apart from the mold supporting section. A flexible interconnecting structure comprises at least one interconnecting element (70) which interconnects at least one of said tie bar engaging members to the mold supporting section. The interconnecting element is placed under tension during the clamping operation to allow the tie bar engaging member to deflect upward relative to the mold supporting section in response to the clamping forces acting against the platen.