Mold and molding method

Abstract

A mold for molding a product in a cavity formed by closing the mold includes a first half; a second half; and a plurality of aligning members which come in contact with each side circumferential surface of the first half 100 and the second half at least in three directions, when the mold is closed. After the mold is closed, at least one of the aligning members is moved to contact the aligning member with the each side circumferential surface of the first half and the second half, which enables a center axis alignment between the first half and the second half.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are views each showing a mold according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view showing the mold before a center axis alignment is performed. FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view showing the mold when cut along the line A-A in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views each showing the mold according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the mold after the center axis alignment is performed. FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view showing the mold when cut along the line B-B in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a mold having another configuration according to the first embodiment, in which two members are each served as an aligning member.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view showing a mold having a still another configuration according to the first embodiment, in which each aligning member is attached to an aligning member support unit.

FIG. 5 are views each showing a mold having another configuration according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a plan view showing the mold in which a contact surface of each aligning member is curved. FIG. 5B is a plan view showing the mold in which each contact surface of the aligning members is V-shaped when viewed from above.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a mold having another configuration according to the first embodiment, in which an insertion part is divided.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are views each showing a mold according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view showing the mold before a center axis alignment is performed. FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view showing the mold after a center axis alignment is performed.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are views each showing a mold according to the conventional technology. FIG. 8A is a cross sectional view showing a state where a space is left between each half in a mold opening/closing direction. FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view showing the state where a space is left between each half in a lateral direction.

Claims

1. A mold for molding a product, in which a cavity is formed by closing the mold, comprising: a first half and a second half each having a cavity surface; anda plurality of aligning members to come in contact with each side circumferential surface of the first half and the second half at least in three directions, when the mold is closed,wherein, after the mold is closed, a center axis alignment is performed in such a way that each of the aligning members is made to come in contact with the side circumferential surfaces of the first half and the second half by moving at least one aligning member.

2. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the first half includes a concave part having the cavity surface, and the second half includes an insertion part having a cavity surface, andwherein, after the mold is closed, in a state where the insertion part is inserted into the concave part, the center axis alignment between the first half and the second half is performed in such a way that each of the aligning members is made to come in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the concave part and the outer circumferential surface of the insertion part by pressing at least one of the aligning members against the inner circumferential surface of the concave part and the outer circumferential surface of the insertion part.

3. The mold according to claim 2, wherein the aligning members moves in a mold-closing direction to come in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the concave part and the outer circumferential surface of the insertion part.

4. The mold according to claim 2, wherein a tapered surface for guiding the aligning members toward the outer circumferential surface of the insertion part is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the concave part.

5. The mold according to claim 3, wherein a tapered surface for guiding the aligning members toward the outer circumferential surface of the insertion part is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the concave part.

6. The mold according to claim 2, wherein a tapered surface for guiding the aligning members toward the inner circumferential surface of the concave part is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion part.

7. The mold according to claim 3, wherein a tapered surface for guiding the aligning members toward the inner circumferential surface of the concave part is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion part.

8. A molding method using the mold according to claim 1, comprising the step of, after the aligning members perform the center axis alignment between the first half and the second half, applying a mold clamping force to the first half and the second half.

9. A molding method using the mold according to claim 2, comprising the step of, after the aligning members perform the center axis alignment between the first half and the second half, applying a mold clamping force to the first half and the second half.

10. A molding method using the mold according to claim 3, comprising the step of, after the aligning members perform the center axis alignment between the first half and the second half, applying a mold clamping force to the first half and the second half.

11. A molding method using the mold according to claim 4, comprising the step of, after the aligning members perform the center axis alignment between the first half and the second half, applying a mold clamping force to the first half and the second half.

12. A molding method using the mold according to claim 5, comprising the step of, after the aligning members perform the center axis alignment between the first half and the second half, applying a mold clamping force to the first half and the second half.

13. A molding method using the mold according to claim 6, comprising the step of, after the aligning members perform the center axis alignment between the first half and the second half, applying a mold clamping force to the first half and the second half.

14. A molding method using the mold according to claim 7, comprising the step of, after the aligning members perform the center axis alignment between the first half and the second half, applying a mold clamping force to the first half and the second half.