Importance

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Abstract

Articles, such as components of an injection-molded multi-component product, are repositioned within a space, such as the space between mold parts, that is accessible for repositioning only during a series of periods, such as open-mold periods, that are separated by intervals of less accessibility for repositioning, such as closed-mold intervals by (a) moving a first article, such as a first component of a first multi-component product, from a first position within the space to outside of the space during a first such period; and (b) moving a second identical article, such as a first component of a second multi-component, from outside of the space to a second position within the space during the first such period. Both the movement of the first article and the movement of the second article are by means of a common vehicle, such as a common robot arm. In another aspect, an article is repositioned by (a) moving the article from a first position within the space to outside of the space during a first such period; and (b) during a second such period after an interval of less accessibility that is subsequent to the first period, moving the article from outside of the space to a second position within the space. For injection molding with a stack mold, an article is repositioned from a first mold-cavity in a first space in a first portion of the stack mold to a second mold-cavity position in a second space in a second portion of the stack mold by (a) moving the article from the first position to outside of the first and second spaces during a period when the first space is accessible and the second space is inaccessible; and (b) moving the article from outside of the spaces to the second position when the second space is accessible and the first space is inaccessible.

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First Claim