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February 13, 2007 Your multicavity plastic injection molds are expensive, complex tools. It is imperative in today’s globally competitive atmosphere that they run efficiently and reliably as possible.
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(click here to download a free, fully fnctional evaluation copy)Across the Bench -
Cleaning a Flashed Hot Manifold Sept, 1 2006
Part Three of a Three-Part Series We left off last month with all 16 nozzles removed from the manifold (with the tips protected by tape) and still wired to the electric box. This arrangement allows the nozzles to be cleaned yet still connected, which cuts about three hours of rewiring time from the process. It also means that you must move the nozzles and electric box around as a group so care must be taken not to damage the housings, heaters and wire connections. Utilize a plywood board/tray large enough to carry the nozzles and electric box and move them to another area of the bench—preferably close to a vice equipped with soft jaws. While we clean the nozzles, the ultrasonic is busy cleaning the retainer plate, which should not take more than an hour or two to remove all traces of degraded plastic—eliminating this worry during assembly. Cleaning Nozzles
The degree at which a nozzle needs to be cleaned is dependent upon the clearance around the nozzle body and the cavity insert along with the sealing/stacking surfaces of the components. The entire nozzle does not need to be spotless with all traces of plastic removed to be reinstalled and seated properly. This can be accomplished a number of ways, depending upon the type of nozzle and how it is heated. All that is necessary is to: - Clean the nozzle housing front and back, and to remove enough plastic around the nozzle body so they can easily enter the back of the cavity without interference.
- Plastic around the front tip must obviously be removed if it stacks and seals against the back of the cavity gate insert.
- Clean the back of the nozzle seats and run them over a medium Norton stone to make sure they are flat and smooth. If a depression is noted then this must be measured to ensure the depth of the depression is no greater than .001 or a slow leak could occur here (see Photos).
Read more of the article at MOLDMAKING TECHNOLOGY Magazine.
Mold Shop -
How to Clean a Flashed Hot Manifold - Part One
Auguest, 1 2006 by Steve Johnson As I rounded the corner of our shop, I was confronted by a large flock of white shirts gathered around a mold on my bench. They stepped aside so that I could see what all the fuss was about. A blob of styrene poking out from the wires of the opened electrical box attested to a thoroughly flashed manifold.
I silently hung up my coat and headed for the coffee pot. I would need plenty of coffee. The tedious task ahead of me, according to the verbiage in the maintenance manual, would be to “carefully remove the plastic via an appropriately sized hammer and brass chisel, taking extreme precautions to not damage any surrounding wires, heaters, or electrical connections.” In the real world, we call it “chippin’ and rippin’.”
Read more of the article at Plastics Technology Magazine. |
