What is the Slide in Injection Molds

I. Definition and Core Functions of the Slide

(I) Definition of the Slide

The slide, namely the slide mechanism of injection molds, is a special mechanism that can achieve lateral core - pulling, lateral parting, and resetting actions. In actual production, plastic products such as automotive interior and exterior parts produced by automotive component manufacturers, and medical consumables and device casings manufactured by medical injection molding often have special structures like lateral grooves, protrusions, and undercuts, which cannot be removed from the mold through the conventional vertical demolding method. At this time, the slide mechanism becomes the key to solving this problem. It can complete lateral movements different from the mold - opening direction of the injection molding machine during the mold opening and closing process, realizing the smooth demolding of products.

(II) Core Functions of the Slide

For automotive component manufacturers, automotive parts have complex shapes. For example, the installation clips on automotive bumpers and the wiring slots inside automotive dashboards. Without the slide mechanism, these products with undercuts cannot be removed from the mold. When the mold opens, the slide mechanism first moves the lateral parts that hinder product demolding away. After the main body of the product can be demolded smoothly, it resets, ensuring the complete and accurate demolding of the product, and guaranteeing product quality and production efficiency. In high precision plastic injection molding, the precise movement of the slide is an important factor in ensuring product dimensional accuracy, which is particularly crucial for medical injection molding in manufacturing medical devices with extremely high precision requirements.

II. Classification and Working Characteristics of the Slide Mechanism

(I) Classification by Action Position

The lower mold slide is installed on the lower mold part of the mold and is often used to handle situations where the product has undercuts or special structures on the lower mold side. When automotive component manufacturers produce plastic parts for the vehicle chassis, if the bottom of the parts has lateral fixing holes and other structures, the lower mold slide is required to achieve lateral core - pulling. The lower mold slide usually works in conjunction with the mold ejection system to ensure the stability and reliability of the product during the demolding process.

The upper mold slide is located on the upper mold part of the mold and functions when the product has special structures on the upper mold side. For example, some decorative parts of high - end automotive interiors have lateral decorative protrusions on the top. The upper mold slide can laterally move the corresponding mold parts when the mold opens, realizing the smooth demolding of the product. Its design needs to be precisely coordinated with the mold opening and closing actions to avoid interference.

The inclined slide (inclined lifter) is a special slide mechanism, and its movement direction has an inclined angle. It is suitable for situations where there are undercuts or depressions inside the product and the space is limited. When medical injection molding manufactures components of small - sized medical syringes, the internal inclined runner structures can achieve lateral core - pulling through the inclined movement of the inclined lifter when the mold is ejected. The design and manufacture of the inclined lifter require precise calculation of the angle and stroke.

(II) Classification by Power Source

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The mechanical lateral slide mechanism is a common type. It uses the mold - opening power of the injection molding machine. Through mechanical structures such as cam pins and sliders, it converts the vertical mold - opening movement of the injection molding machine into the horizontal movement of the slide. In the molds for conventional plastic daily necessities designed and manufactured by injection mold inc, this mechanism is widely applied due to its simple structure, low cost, and convenient maintenance.

The hydraulic (pneumatic) lateral slide mechanism uses hydraulic or pneumatic pressure as the power source. By connecting a hydraulic cylinder or an air cylinder with the slide, it can precisely control the movement speed, stroke, and force of the slide. When automotive component manufacturers produce molds for large - sized automotive body panels, and when medical injection molding manufactures molds for precision medical device casings, due to the complex product structures and high core - pulling force requirements, this mechanism can better meet the production needs. It can also achieve remote control and automated operation.

III. Components of the Slide and Their Function Details

(I) Cam Pin

The cam pin is a core component of the mechanical lateral slide mechanism and is widely used in the mold design of injection mold inc. It is installed on the fixed mold part of the mold and cooperates with the cam pin hole on the slider. When the mold opens, it uses its own inclined angle to convert the vertical mold - opening movement of the injection molding machine into the horizontal movement of the slider, pushing the slider to achieve lateral core - pulling. The inclination angle of the cam pin is generally between 15° - 25°. The size of the angle directly affects the core - pulling force, the movement speed, and the stroke of the slider, and needs to be accurately designed according to the actual production requirements.

(II) Wedge Lock Structure

The wedge lock (locking block) mainly functions to lock and position the slider during the injection molding process, preventing the slider from shifting under the injection pressure. In the production of automotive component manufacturers and medical injection molding, if the slider is not reliably locked, products are prone to defects such as burrs and dimensional deviations. The wedge lock is installed on the fixed mold part of the mold and closely fits the mating surface of the slider. It separates during mold opening and locks the slider when the mold closes. Its mating surface needs to have high precision and hardness.

(III) Inclined Pressure Plate Structure

The inclined pressure plate structure is used in conjunction with the cam pin and the slider, playing a role in auxiliary guiding and enhancing the movement stability of the slider. During high precision plastic injection molding, the inclined pressure plate is installed on the moving mold part of the mold. Through its inclined surface, it applies a force perpendicular to the movement direction to the slider, balancing the lateral force during the slider's movement, preventing the slider from shifting or shaking, and ensuring the smooth movement of the slide.

1. Stroke Calculation

2. Structural Form Selection

3. Fitting Relationship

4. Strength and Stability