Ensuring optimal performance and extending the lifespan of your equipment through proper maintenance protocols
For factories aiming to maximize productivity, operations often run nearly 24 hours a day. Based on 25 operating days per month, this accumulates to 600 hours monthly and 7,200 hours annually.
The operating time of an injection molding machine and support machinery is typically 4 to 5 times that of general machinery. Therefore, to extend the service life of these valuable assets, maintenance must be given heightened priority.
Proper maintenance not only extends equipment lifespan but also ensures consistent product quality, reduces downtime, minimizes repair costs, and enhances workplace safety for operators handling injection molding machine and support machinery.
Thorough inspections before starting production are crucial to ensure safe and efficient operation of your injection molding machine and support machinery
Verify that the oil level is above the minimum mark and below the maximum mark on the oil gauge. Proper oil levels are essential for the hydraulic systems in injection molding machine and support machinery to function correctly.
Ensure that the heating elements on the dryer, barrel, and mold are functioning properly. Correct temperature regulation is vital for maintaining product quality in injection molding machine and support machinery operations.
Test the safety door interlocks and emergency stop buttons to confirm they are functioning correctly. Safety systems are critical components that protect operators of injection molding machine and support machinery.
Verify that the low-pressure mold clamping device, which protects the mold, is in good working condition. This is especially important for maintaining mold integrity in injection molding machine and support machinery.
Check that oil cups and lubricators are adequately filled and that lubrication lines are completely unobstructed. Proper lubrication is essential for preventing wear in injection molding machine and support machinery.
Ensure all moving parts are properly lubricated, free from debris and dust, and maintain smooth contact surfaces. Never place tools on moving components of injection molding machine and support machinery.
Inspect the cooling water system for leaks and ensure adequate water flow to maintain proper cooling efficiency. Temperature control is critical for consistent operation of injection molding machine and support machinery.
Check that all settings including temperature, pressure, speed, time, and distance parameters are correctly configured for the production run. Proper settings optimize performance of injection molding machine and support machinery.
Inspect and adjust limit switches and cam stops as needed, especially after mold changes. These components ensure precise operation of injection molding machine and support machinery.
Perform a manual start and run the equipment idle for 10-30 minutes to ensure stable operating conditions before beginning production. This warm-up period is beneficial for injection molding machine and support machinery.
Listen for unusual sounds such as from the oil pump, which can indicate filter blockages, air intake, or internal wear. Relay humming may indicate contamination. Early detection prevents major issues in injection molding machine and support machinery.
Proper shutdown procedures are essential for maintaining equipment condition, ensuring safety, and preparing for the next production run. Following these steps protects your injection molding machine and support machinery investment.
Close the hopper gate and reduce or turn off hopper heating, depending on the length of the shutdown period for your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Run one or two more molding cycles to clear remaining material from the barrel.
Turn off or reduce barrel heating based on the expected shutdown duration for your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Clean the mold and apply rust preventive treatment, with the extent depending on how long the injection molding machine and support machinery will be idle.
Shut off the cooling water supply to the injection molding machine and support machinery.
Disconnect the main power supply to ensure safety during shutdown periods.
Thoroughly clean the machine surface and surrounding area to prevent buildup of debris that could affect future operation of the injection molding machine and support machinery.
Implementing a consistent maintenance schedule is key to maximizing uptime and extending the service life of your equipment
Inspect and tighten any loose screws, bolts, or terminals on barrel thermocouples, heating elements, and connections for your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Check the current of barrel heating elements using a clamp meter, comparing readings to specifications in your injection molding machine and support machinery documentation.
Inspect solenoid valve connectors for damage or looseness, and check all oil lines for leaks or interference on your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Examine mechanical parts and sliding rails for damage, cleaning away old lubricant while ensuring smooth operation without unusual noises.
Inspect electrical components and wiring, with special attention to contactor points ensuring no discoloration and proper connections in your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Clean the floor around the base of the injection molding machine and support machinery, removing any spilled oil, water, or accumulated dust.
Check machine door limit switches and signal wires, replacing or securing as necessary to maintain safety interlocks.
Perform maintenance on safety door pulleys to ensure smooth operation and proper safety function of your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Use an R gauge to check that the nozzle球面 conforms to standard specifications, inspecting for damage or wear that would require repair or replacement.
Clean oil and debris from the two mold clamping cylinder rods and four tie bars to prevent scoring and maintain proper function.
Apply EP2 grease to the clamping piston rod fixing points to ensure proper lubrication of these critical components.
Remove the control cabinet door's cooling air filter and replace the filter media to maintain proper airflow and prevent dust accumulation.
Check the cooling effectiveness of the feed throat water jacket during normal production, monitoring temperature differentials. If exceeding 5°C from set parameters, clean the water jacket, solenoid valve, and filter elements.
Start the hydraulic motor and check hydraulic oil levels, adding oil when approaching the lower level mark to maintain proper operation of your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Inspect and tighten any loose electronic rulers for mold opening/closing, high-pressure clamping, ejection, injection unit movement, and injection functions. Clean surface oil with alcohol.
Check mechanical mold clamping position stops and electrical limit switches for looseness, tightening screws or bolts as needed for your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Clean the filter elements in the cooling water pipes to maintain proper flow rates and cooling efficiency.
Refill centralized lubrication reservoirs with grade 00 lubricating grease to ensure proper lubrication of all moving parts in your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Operate manual lubrication systems and check for leaks in centralized lubrication lines, replacing damaged lines with special attention to hoses at the moving mold slide areas.
Pay special attention to copper water pipes, rubber hoses, and oil lines connected to the moving platen, checking for cracks and wear especially at movement and bending points, replacing as needed.
Polish the moving and fixed mold locating rings to remove burrs and flatten any deformation, ensuring proper alignment for your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Check hydraulic oil quality, looking for contamination, insufficient quantity, or water content. Perform necessary treatments and add oil as required to maintain optimal performance of your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Inspect all electrical wiring for loose connections, securing any that are found to prevent electrical issues in your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Check the ventilation filters on electrical control boxes, cleaning or replacing them as necessary to maintain proper cooling and prevent dust accumulation.
Clean the hydraulic oil filter screens to maintain proper oil flow and prevent contamination-related damage to hydraulic components.
Perform a thorough cleaning of all moving surfaces including tie bars and injection unit sliding rails, then reapply fresh lubricant to ensure smooth operation of your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Clean and inspect coolers: if using groundwater, industrial water, or salt water, remove and clean coolers monthly to maintain efficiency and extend service life. For purified tap water, cleaning every six months is generally sufficient.
Check and adjust nozzle centering to ensure alignment within 1mm tolerance, which is critical for proper material flow and mold protection in your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Re-secure mold opening/closing electronic rulers and calibrate zero points to maintain precise positioning accuracy for consistent production quality.
Clean the centralized lubrication pump filters to ensure proper operation of the lubrication system, which is essential for preventing premature wear in your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Perform motor insulation testing using a 500V megohmmeter, ensuring insulation resistance of at least 10MΩ for safe operation of your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Measure the parallelism between moving and fixed platens to ensure proper mold alignment and prevent premature wear or part quality issues.
Check the overall level of the machine: clamp to minimum mold thickness, place a level横向 on the guide rails on both operator and non-operator sides, near the moving platen. Rotate the level 90° and measure longitudinal level on both sides.
Investing in regular maintenance yields significant returns through improved performance and reduced costs
Regular maintenance significantly extends the service life of your injection molding machine and support machinery, maximizing your equipment investment.
Well-maintained injection molding machine and support machinery operate more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and cycle times.
Properly maintained equipment produces more consistent parts with fewer defects, improving overall product quality from your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Preventive maintenance minimizes unexpected breakdowns and expensive repairs, reducing overall operating costs for your injection molding machine and support machinery.
Implementing a comprehensive maintenance program is the key to maximizing productivity, reducing downtime, and extending the life of your valuable equipment.
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