The crucial role of mould maintenance in injection moulding
In the world of injection moulding, the mould is the heart of the operation. Its condition directly impacts the quality of the final product. Sometimes the mould is more expensive than the machine itself, making proper maintenance essential.
Industries like food, pharmaceuticals, and automotive set rigorous standards throughout the entire process, from mould to finished product. To meet these demands, most injection moulding companies have dedicated mould workshops. These specialised facilities house highly skilled personnel who meticulously clean, maintain, and prepare moulds, ensuring their optimal performance and longevity.
Some applications in Injection Moulding
Cleaning moulds
When a mould comes back from production, it’s important they are cleaned thoroughly of adhered contamination and burned gases, so they can be used correctly the next time. Conventional cleaners are effective but mostly very aggressive, bad for health and not allowed when food grade products are required. The ones that are very friendly to the user and the environment and even food grade certified, are not always effective, having to repeat the action various times, wasting product.
Interflon Degreaser EM30+ combines the best of both worlds: a food grade degreaser, friendly to the user and the environment and effective at the same time due to our F-Active® technology. For ultrasonic baths we have an ecological water-based solution with Interflon Fin Clean All².
Lubricating and protecting various parts of the mould
Before going to the production area, different parts (ejector pins,
guide pins, runners.) of the mould have to be well and carefully
lubricated in order to assure its efficiency in production. Conventional
‘wet’ lubricants tend to drip on the mould cavities or even on the
moulded parts, provoking rejected finished products and production stops
in order to clean the contaminated parts.
With Interflon Fin Grease (NSF-H1) moulds can be lubricated with just one product for all parts leaving a steady MicPol® film avoiding dripping. The mould stays cleaner and lubricated much longer. No more rejection and less production stops to clean and relubricate. For small moulds Interflon Lube TF or Interflon Food Lube (NSF-H1) can do the job providing a dry MicPol® film. These products can also be used as an anti-corrosive agent when stocking moulds without having to clean them afterwards and as a release agent, in particular for moulds with holes and crevices, saving two or three other products.
The tie bars of the clamping unit
Moulds are heavy, which puts a high demand on the greases that are used on the tie bars. Conventional greases cause stick-slip and premature wear if the tie bars are not lubricated frequently.
Interflon Grease MP2/3 supports heavy loads. It is not pushed away from its lubrication point thanks to the adhesion of the MicPol® particles to the surface, creating a far stronger bond than conventional greases can provide. No stick-slip, longer greasing intervals (up to 4x), longer service life of the tie bars and thanks to the lower friction, less energy consumption.
