Injection Molding Edge Gates
Edge gating is well known in the art of injection molding and generally refers to a process for molding a part in which the mold gate is located at an edge or a side of a mold cavity, rather than at the center thereof. In general, the axis along which melt flows into the mold cavities in an edge gating system is at an angle to the main axis of the nozzle. Edge gating is typically used in applications where part geometry dictates that the gate cannot be located at the center of the part or in applications where it is desirable to hide the vestige left by the mold gate on the part. (Fairy, Kaushal and Ursu, US Patent 7,850,442, 12/14/2010
Recent US Patents
12/14/2010
7,850,442
Edge-gated nozzle
Fairy, Kaushal and Ursu of Mold-Masters, Canada, have developed an edge-gated nozzle with an opening that intersects with the nozzle melt channel, the opening having a central axis that is at an angle with respect to a central axis of the nozzle. A nozzle tip is coupled to the nozzle at one end of the opening. A valve pin bushing is coupled to the nozzle at an end of the opening opposite the nozzle tip. A valve pin extends through the opening. A primary actuator is connected to the valve pin. A nozzle locator piece is connected to the nozzle for mating with a side plate to locate the nozzle with respect to the mold gate. (RDC 6/2/2011)