| 摘要 |
A molding apparatus (10) has first and second opposed mold surfaces (22, 26) with the first mold surface (22) having a feed runner network (24). A mold structure (30) is supported by the second mold surface (26) and is spaced from the first mold surface (22). The mold structure (30) is adapted to hold a lead frame strip (38) and objects (39) held thereby in a plurality of openings (36). A gate plate (44) fits between the first mold surface (22) and the mold structure (30). The gate plate (44) has a plurality of gates or apertures (50) from a first (46) to a second (48) outfacing surface portion (46, 48) thereof. Set feed runners (71) can be removed from the molding apparatus (10) by motivating the gate plate (44) laterally across the mold structure (30). The runners are generally removed from the gate plate (44) by bending the gate plate (44) over a cylindrical surface (61) of small enough radius so that the set runners (71) cannot follow and are forced to separate gradually from the gate plate (44), eventually becoming completely free and falling away from the molding apparatus (10). The apparatus (10) is particularly adapted for automation and allows more molding cycles per unit time and wastes less encapsulating material than does prior apparatus. A molding method utilizing the gate plate (44) is likewise set forth. |
