Injection molds maintenance is key to extending life of mold
In the injection molding process, the mold is one of the core components, and its performance and status directly affect the quality and production efficiency of the product. Therefore, regular injection mold maintenance and maintenance of injection molds is a key link to ensure smooth production and reduce production costs. This article will introduce you to some practical injection mold maintenance tips to help you extend the mold life and improve production efficiency.
Cleaning is the basic step of mold maintenance. During the injection molding process, plastic residues, impurities and oil stains will remain on the mold surface. If these residues are not cleaned in time, they may cause mold surface corrosion, poor molding or product defects.
Cleaning frequency
Depending on the frequency of use of the mold and the production environment, it is recommended to perform a comprehensive cleaning once a week. For high-precision molds or molds that produce high-demand products, the cleaning frequency can be increased appropriately.
Cleaning method
Use a soft cloth or sponge dipped in a mild detergent (such as alcohol or a special mold cleaner) to gently wipe the mold surface.
For corners or gaps that are difficult to clean, use a soft brush or compressed air to clean.
After cleaning, wipe the mold surface dry with a clean cloth to avoid rust caused by residual moisture.
Check the key components of the mold
Regularly checking the key components of the mold is an important part to ensure its normal operation. Here are some parts and inspection contents that need to be focused on:
- Mold surface: Check the mold surface for scratches, wear or cracks. Minor scratches can be repaired by polishing, but serious damage may require replacement of mold components.
- Cooling system: The cooling system is an important part of the injection mold, and its performance directly affects the molding cycle and product quality. Regularly check whether the cooling channel is blocked or leaking, and ensure that the flow and temperature of the coolant meet the design requirements.
- Heating element: For hot runner molds, the performance of the heating element is crucial. Regularly check whether the heating rod, thermocouple and other components are working properly to ensure the accuracy of temperature control.
- Sliders and ejectors: Sliders and ejectors are active parts in the mold and are prone to wear due to frequent movement. Check the lubrication of these parts, add or replace lubricating oil in time to ensure their smooth movement.
Lubrication and rust prevention
Lubrication is an indispensable part of mold maintenance. It can reduce friction between parts and extend the life of the mold. At the same time, rust prevention can prevent the mold from rusting due to a humid environment.
- Lubrication: Regularly lubricate the moving parts of the mold (such as sliders, ejectors, guide pins, etc.). Use special mold lubricants or greases, and avoid using ordinary engine oil because it may contain impurities.
When lubricating, first clean the old oil and impurities on the surface of the parts, and then evenly apply lubricants to ensure the lubrication effect. - Rust prevention: When the mold is stored or not in use, anti-rust oil should be applied to the mold surface to prevent rust caused by a humid environment.
For molds that are stored for a long time, it is recommended to regularly check the coverage of the anti-rust oil and replenish or reapply it if necessary.
Regularly calibrate the mold
During long-term use, the mold may lose accuracy due to thermal expansion and contraction, mechanical shock, etc. Regularly calibrating the mold can ensure that it always maintains good molding performance.
- Calibration cycle: Depending on the frequency of use of the mold and production requirements, it is recommended to perform precision calibration once a quarter or half a year. For high-precision molds, the calibration cycle can be shortened to once a quarter.
- Calibration content: Check the dimensional accuracy of the mold to ensure that the mold cavity and core meet the design requirements.
Calibrate the mold closing accuracy to ensure that the mold can fit tightly when closing the mold to avoid flash or glue leakage.
Record the use and maintenance of the mold
Establishing a record of the use and maintenance of the mold is an important means of scientific management of the mold. By recording the use time, maintenance cycle, maintenance status and other information of the mold, you can better understand the operation status of the mold and discover potential problems in advance.
- Record content: The use time of the mold, the types and quantity of products produced.
The specific content and time of each maintenance.
The maintenance record of the mold, including the cause of the failure, maintenance measures and maintenance time. - Data analysis: Regularly analyze the use and maintenance records of the mold, summarize the operation rules of the mold, optimize the maintenance plan, and extend the life of the mold.
Professional training and technical support
Mold maintenance requires not only regular maintenance operations, but also professional technical support. Regular training of operators to enable them to master the correct maintenance methods and techniques can effectively reduce mold damage caused by improper operation.
- Internal training: Regularly organize internal training courses, invite experienced technicians or engineers from mold manufacturers to give lectures, and improve the professional skills of operators.
- External support: Maintain close cooperation with mold manufacturers or professional maintenance organizations to obtain technical support and after-sales service in a timely manner. For complex mold problems, professionals can be invited to provide on-site guidance or repairs.
The Importance of Injection Mold Maintenance
Injection molds are the core equipment of injection molding production, and their status directly affects the quality and production efficiency of the product. Through regular cleaning, inspection of key components, lubrication and rust prevention, calibration accuracy, and establishment of complete maintenance records, the service life of the mold can be significantly extended, production costs can be reduced, and production efficiency can be improved. I hope that the maintenance tips introduced in this article can provide you with practical references to help you better manage injection molds and ensure smooth production.
In actual operation, it is recommended to formulate a personalized maintenance plan based on the specific situation of the mold and the production environment, and strictly implement it. Only in this way can the performance of the mold be fully utilized and the goal of efficient and stable production can be achieved.
