Enhancing the performance of your injection molding machine leads to reduced defects, improved efficiency, and an overall better production quality. Our proven strategies will help you reach consistent and excellent outputs.
Plastic injection molding is a common form of manufacturing and therefore a very competitive field. To meet today’s high standards and stay ahead it is necessary to overcome obstacles such as corrosion, wear, and inefficient heat transfer. Only once your process is completely set up can you guarantee optimal performance and product quality.
In our article we’ve outlined five proven approaches that will improve the results of your injection molding machine. By applying AMPCO’s longstanding metallurgical expertise, stemming from the work with engineered alloys, you’ll be able to enhance your machine’s efficiency, improve part quality, and optimize production cycles, with reduced downtime and costs.
Corrosion is a common issue that can degrade the performance of injection molds, leading to defects, higher maintenance costs, and reduced tool life. Factors such as moisture, corrosive materials, and inadequate care are often the cause. To prevent corrosion and ensure long-lasting mold performance, it is recommended to do the following:
Corroded part of an injection mold
Excessive friction during plastic injection molding leads to faster wear, increased maintenance, and lower efficiency. To reduce these effects, consider:
You can also read more about reducing wear in the dedicated section of the AMPCO website.
Important notice: Always make sure that lubricating is compatible with your application! In many cases the use of lubricants is prohibited, since lubricants and their vapors mustn’t enter the cavities!
Part of an injection molding machine with visible wear and tear near the cavity
Efficient heat transfer is crucial for optimizing the injection molding process. Poor heat conductivity in mold components can cause uneven cooling, longer cycle times, and leads to higher energy consumption. In addition to making the cooling procedure as fast as possible, it is also necessary to ensure that the molded parts cool evenly, which maintains consistent quality. Our recommendations to improve heat conductivity are:
The low alloyed copper alloys produced by AMPCO display excellent thermal conductivity and compared to tool steels or even high thermal conductivity steels (HTCS) cool considerably quicker. A perfect example is the AMPCOLOY® 944, which was specifically designed for injection molds.
Durability is essential for maintaining consistent production and minimizing downtime in injection molding machines. To strengthen your machine’s longevity, we advise:
By selecting robust materials and focusing on thermal resilience, you can extend your machine’s lifespan, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure consistent production quality.
A robust mold significantly increases durability
Precision and consistency are critical for molding plastic, directly influencing the quality and performance of the final products. For optimal results adopt these approaches:
Equipment for manufacturing products with high precision
To achieve high-quality results from your injection molding machine you need to make smart choices and adopt a detail-oriented approach for every process. Preventing corrosion, minimizing wear, optimizing heat conductivity, and focusing on precision are vital steps in maintaining optimal performance. Of course, the importance of selecting the right thermoplastics as well as components shouldn’t be overlooked, as the material properties influence mold performance and product quality.
By combining these methods with a commitment to continuous improvement, you can reduce downtime, increase efficiency, and achieve exceptional results in every production cycle. If you are looking for more information that will help you improve your injection molding results, you can visit our AMPCO Academy. Or you can get in touch with our professional team and request specific guidance.