Mold

Abstract

A mold for molding a product in a cavity formed by closing the mold is provided. The mold includes a first half; a second half; and a plurality of aligning members which contact respective outer circumferential surfaces of a first die of the first half and a second die of the second half, at least in three directions, when the mold is closed. At least one of the aligning members is moved toward the outer circumferential surfaces of the first die and the second die, and then each of the aligning members sandwiches the first die and the second die, which enables a center axis alignment between the first die and the second die.

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 contact surfaces are provided on one aligning member.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view showing a mold having a still another configuration according to the first embodiment, in which a contact surface of each aligning member is provided with a stepped part.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B 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.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views each showing a mold according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a plan 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. 8 is a cross sectional view showing a mold having another configuration according to the second embodiment, in which the aligning members are pushed by closing the mold.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views each showing a mold according to the conventional technology. FIG. 9A is a cross sectional view showing a state where a space is left between two halves in a mold opening/closing direction. FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view showing the state where a space is left between the two halves in a lateral direction.

Claims

1. A mold dividable into a first half and a second half for molding a product in a cavity formed by closing the mold, comprising: a first half 100 comprising a first die 110 to be inserted therein to; and a second half 200 comprising a second die 210 to be inserted therein to, the first die and the second die joined together to form a surface of the cavity; anda plurality of aligning members contacting respective side circumferential surfaces of the first die and the second die at least in three directions, when the mold is closed,wherein, at least one of the plurality of aligning members is moved toward the respective side circumferential surfaces of the first die and the second die to contact the aligning members with the respective side circumferential surfaces of the first die and the second die, to allow the aligning members to sandwich the first die and the second die, to enable a center axis alignment between the first die and the second die.

2. The mold according to claim 1, wherein at least three pairs of reference parts are formed on the respective side circumferential surfaces of the first die and the second die, the reference parts in pair being flush with each other in the state where the center axis alignment between the first die and the second die is achieved; andwherein each of the aligning members has a contact part which closely contacts a pair of the reference parts.

3. The mold according to claim 1, wherein each of the aligning members moves in a vertical direction with respect to a moving direction of the first die and the second die.

4. The mold according to claim 2, wherein each of the aligning members moves in a vertical direction with respect to a moving direction of the first die and the second die.

5. The mold according to claim 1, wherein each of the aligning members has a tapered face for guiding each of the aligning members toward the respective side circumferential surfaces of the first die and the second die to slide each of the aligning members along the tapered face to contact each of the aligning members with the respective side circumferential surfaces of the first die and the second die.

6. The mold according to claim 2, wherein each of the aligning members has a tapered face for guiding each of the aligning members toward the respective side circumferential surfaces of the first die and the second die to slide each of the aligning members along the tapered face to contact each of the aligning members with the respective side circumferential surfaces of the first die and the second die.