The cost of an injection mold is usually the largest part of an investment into a plastic molding process with the exception of the molding press itself. Capital equipment requires maintenance, with a preventive maintenance plan typically in place for all equipment to keep machinery and equipment running at optimum performance levels and to avoid costly repairs.
The injection mold itself is no different, operating at optimum performance when a regular preventive mold maintenance routine is performed.
Each injection mold is unique to a particular program, and may be either a cold or hot runner tool, with single or multi cavities. Some injection molds run only a few times a year to produce a production run then store for a while before it is needed again, and some molds supporting high-volume requirements run continuously in the press.
Performing preventive maintenance on these high-volume molds is critical to consistent part production within customer specification. The material the used in the molding process has great impact on the steel mold. A glass filled nylon, for example, will put a lot of wear and tear on the steel vs. a simple polypropylene material.
Take the time to determine at which cycle intervals your mold requires cleaning, and you will continue to produce high quality parts without mold breakdown. Some preventive mold maintenance can actually be performed right there at the press, while other PM intervals require a full break-down and thorough mold cleaning.
Preventive maintenance is vital for mold performance, and to meet production requirements. Take the time to determine the optimum mold maintenance regimen for your injection molds, and provide consistently molded parts within customer specifications.
Michiana Global Mold is a a valuable supplier to the automotive industry, providing complex, precision molds with our ISO9001 Quality Management System. Contact us today to learn about our rebate program and to how we can save you money on your injection mold requirements.
