Patent attributes
A clamping mechanism of a molding machine, including a bed; a stationary platen mounted on the bed, and carrying a stationary mold; a guide bar arranged fixedly relative to the stationary platen, and defining a longitudinal guiding axis; a first movable platen arranged movably relative to the stationary platen along the guiding axis, and carrying a movable mold; a support structure interposed between the guide bar and the first movable platen, and movably supporting the first movable platen on the guide bar along the guiding axis; a second movable platen separate from the first movable platen, and arranged movably relative to the stationary platen along the guiding axis; a connecting member connecting the first movable platen and the second movable platen to each other; and a drive section for applying a drive force to the second movable platen, to move the first movable platen and the second movable platen along the guiding axis. The support structure includes a spline engaging surface provided on the guide bar and a ball spline nut provided in the first movable platen, the ball spline nut being operatively engagable with the spline engaging surface.