TYPES OF MOULD

There are two major types of molds: 1. 2. Two plate mold Three plate mold

1. Two Plate Mold

A two plate mold is the simplest type of mold. It is called a two plate mold because there is one parting plane, and the mold splits into two halves. The runner system must be located on this parting plane; thus the part can only be gated on its perimeter.

1.1 Direct Gate Method:

Figure 1 shows a simplest structure only for a single impression (parts) mould.

Figure 1: Direct Gate Method

1.2 Side Gate Method

Figure 2 shows the structure of side gate method for a multiimpression mould in general. This method is also used for a single-impression mould in special shape.

Figure 2: Side Gate Method

1.3

Side Gate with stripper plate Method

Figure 3 shows the structure of side gate method with stripper plate.

Figure 3: Side Gate with stripper plate method

2. Three Plate Mold

A three plate mold differs from a two plate in that it has two parting planes, and the mold splits into three sections every time the part is ejected. Since the mold has two parting planes, the runner system can be located on one, and the part on the other. Three plate molds are used because of their flexibility in gating location. A part can be gated virtually anywhere along its surface.

2.1 Pin Point Gate Method:

Figure 4, illustrates the structure for a single impression mould. In general, this method is taken for a multi- impression mould and for a multi-point gate.

Figure 4: Pin Point Gate Method

2.2

L type Runner Method;

STANDRD MOULD BASE (2 PLATE MOULD):

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

TOP CLAMPING PLATE. LOCATING RING. CAVITY PLATE. CORE PLATE. SUPPORT PLATE. BOTTOM CLAMPING PLATE. 7. PARELLELS / SPACER BLOCK 8. EJECTOR RETAINER PLATE. 9. EJECTOR PLATE. 10. STOP BUTTON / STOP PIN. 11. PILLAR. 12. SPRUE BUSHING. 13. SPRUE PULLER PIN. 14. RETURN PIN / EJECTOR RETAINER PIN 15. GUIDE PIN. 16. GUIDE BUSH.

Function of Mold Base Parts

I. T0P CLAMPING PLATE: Holds the stationary part of the mold to the stationary platen of the injection machine. 2. LOCATING RING OR SPRUE RUSHING RETAINER RING: Fits into a counterbore in the top clamping plate and is used to locate the mold on the platen of the press so the nozzle and sprue bushing are aligned. 3. CAVITY PLATE: Part of the stationary section of the mold into which the leader or guide pins are mounted. Also used to hold core, cavity blocks, and sprue bushing. 4. CORE PLATE: Top plate of the movable section of the mold. Forms the parting line of the mold with cavity retainer plate. Used to hold the leader pin bushings as well as core and cavity blocks. 5. SUPPORT PLATE: Mounted behind the core retainer plate to keep this plate from bending under the high pressure used in injection molding. 6. BOTTOM CLAMPING PLATE: Holds the moving portion of the mold to the moveable platen of the injection machine. 7. PARALLELS/SPACER BLOCK: Mounted on the bottom clamping plate under the support plate to form a space which allows the ejector bar to move when the piece parts are ejected. 8. EJECTOR RETAINER PLATE (Knockout pin plate): Counterbore for the heads of ejector pins, ejector return pins, and sprue puller pin. 9. EJECTOR PLATE (Knockout bar ): Bolted together with the ejector retainer plate to form a unit. Acts as a back up plate for the pins in the ejector retainer plate.

10. STOP BUTTONS/STOP PIN: Pressed into the bottom clamping plate, they are lands for the ejector plate. 11. PILLARS: Round bars placed between the support plate and the bottom clamping plate. The same height as the parallels. Bolted to the bottom clamping plate, they are used as additional support for the core retainer plate. 12. SPRUE BUSHING: Butted up against the nozzle of the injection machine. Has a conicalshaped hole through which the material is forced into the mold runner. 13. SPRUE PULLER PIN: Pin located directly under the opening of the sprue. Used to pull the molded sprue out of the bushing after a shot has been made. 14. RETURN PINS (Ejector return pins) (Safety pins) (Push backs): Located in the ejector retainer plate. Force the ejector plate and ejector retainer plate, and therefore the ejector pins, to the bottom position as the mold closes l5. GUIDE PINS: Hardened and ground steel pins pressed into one of the plates. Align the two halves of the mold base. 16. GUIDE BUSH: Hardened and ground steel bushings which are pressed into one of the plates. Serve as bearing surfaces for the leader pins.