Injection Mold Frame With Ejector and Integral Clamping

Aluminum injection mold frame for 3D printed, cast resin, or CNC machined injection mold inserts. This is sometimes referred to as a MUD style mold frame.

When used in manual molding machines, the integral clamping bolts of the frame can be tightened to to provide clamping force without an external vise.
The clamping bolts are not used in automatic machines where the mold halves are bolted to the platens, but they are still useful to lock mold halves together in storage and transit.

This mold frame includes provisions part ejection, including an ejector plate, pin retainer plate, bottom clamp plate, ejector risers, and ejector return pins.

Features

• Can be used in vertical or horizontal configuration without external vise.
• Clamp slots provided for mounting mold to platens of machine.
• Integral clamping bolts can provide up to 10,000 lbs of force to reduce mold flash in manual machines.
• Provision for manual or automatic ejection of parts.
• Machined from 6061 aluminum.
• Includes one set of insert bolt caps.

Dimensions

More Information

Mold Inserts

For low volume prototyping, mold inserts can be 3D printed on SLA / MSLA printers using high temperature resins such as Siraya Tech Sculpt or Sculpt Ultra.
CNC machined aluminum inserts can be used for higher volume molding.

Mold inserts are typically fastened into the mold frame using the included 1/4-20 cap screws. This makes it easy to adjust the height of the mold inserts to account for 3D printing variations. The back of the mold insert can be sanded, or paper shims can be added to achieve the desired insert height in the mold frame. Inserts can also be held in the frame using the retention channel at the back of each cavity. This eliminates the need for cap screws and allows the use of the entire cavity volume, but requires a more precise 3D print or machining to achieve the proper height.

A set of insert bolt caps is included. When the provided bolted mold insert template is used to create mold inserts, these caps cover the heads of insert mounting bolts. The caps help prevent the heads of the insert mounting bolts from filling up with plastic when high injection pressure causes exESsive mold flash.

Ejection

This frame has provisions for manual or automatic ejection of parts. To use the ejector, the mold insert, B end plate, and pin retainer plate are drilled for ejector pins (by the customer). The ejector pins are cut to the proper length, and the pin heads are clamped between the ejector plate and the pin retainer plate. The ejector plate can be actuated by moving it manually, or by attaching an ejector bar to the 1/2"-13 thread in the center of the ejector plate.

The 5"x5" size and 6.5"x5" size molds use a 1/4" thick pin retainer plate and the heads of the ejector pins are not counterbored into the plate. Instead, spacers are used on smaller pins to match the same 1/4" head thickness as 5/16" dia. and larger pins.
The 8"x8" size uses a 1/2" thick pin retainer plate. Ejector pin heads can be counterbored into the plate, or they can be mounted with spacers like the smaller size mold frames. Return pins come counterbored in one side of the retainer plate, but the plate can be reversed if spacers are used.

Return pins are provided on the perimeter of the frame to retract the ejector plate when the mold is closed. Ejector pins are sold separately and must be installed by the customer.

The standard width ejector plate is recommended for fully automatic machines where the machine actuates the ejector plate.
The wide ejector plate option is recommended for manual machines where the operator manually ejects parts. The wider plates make it easier to pull the ejector plate towards the cavity to eject parts by hand. Bolts are also provided with the wide ejector plate to forcefully pull the ejector plate forward. This helps to force the mold open and eject stuck parts.

Other Notes

Aluminum spacers are sold separately to decrease the cavity depth by 1/2" on one or both halves of the mold to save resin on shallower mold inserts.

Looking for a different size of mold frame? Let us know, we may be able to add a size that meets your needs.

Drawings and Models