We just installed a vertical machine for fairly intricate insert molding. Most of the jobs we run will be GF Ultem. We can’t install a dryer/ hopper on the machine, so we’re going to have to convey material from a dryer on the floor to the hopper. What kind of material conveying hose can we get that is very heat resistant? I need something that won’t melt or deform quickly.
I'm not involved in the industry anymore (had some experience as a co-op), but I was looking to get a quote for a run of 1000+ plastic gears. They'd be pretty small (~20mm diam, 0.3 module) and the two I requested quotes from respectfully declined due to the small order size. Are there any shops someone could recommend? Material would probably be POM but I'm open to alternatives. I know for 1000, most of the cost will be the mold fab and setup, but I'm hoping to understand the cost/unit for larger orders too.
Hi all,
I'm a manufacturing engineer working with an insert moulded catheter hub. I'm trying to get to the bottom of an issue where catheter shaft is pushed out during injection. The catheter shaft is loaded onto a core pin and grilamid tr 55 lx is moulded around this shaft to form the catheter hub. This is run on an arburg all-rounder 275V.
We've seen a significant increase in scrap where the shaft is blown out of position during moulding, particularly in the first few runs of the day. I'm interested in whether anyone has experience with this type of process or any advice. I'm quite new to injection moulding so I apologise if I've not provided enough information here, please ask and I'll provide more if needs be. Thank you!
I am a material handler of 5 years. Been learning processing the last 2 years in a shop that has low standards. If I take the RJG Master Molder class do I have a chance of career advancement?
Hi everyone,
We have an ongoing problem in our injection molding process.
One specific color pigment tends to stick/settle inside the mold (and sometimes in the hot runner / nozzle area) significantly more than other colors. When we switch to a different color, this pigment often “bleeds out” and contaminates the next production run, creating rejects.
We’ve already tried:
• Longer purging with natural / cleaning compound
• Higher temperatures during color change
• Extra cycles of the next color before starting production
…but the contamination still appears quite often, especially with this one pigment.(Yellow)
Has anyone dealt with a similar issue?
Material:PP
Thanks in advance!
I have a few questions about molding EVA foam for a product im working on with an interesting geometry, but i have no experience with this material. Looking for some guidance.
Do you know “shiny mark”? one my customer injecting mold a seatbelt buckle , material is PA6, in-set metal bone frame, Almost every injection resulted in this shiny mark appearing on the surface of the product，y customer has modified the mold many times, changing it from a glossy surface to a matte surface, and has repeatedly adjusted the process, moved the gate position many times, and designed a cold slug well, but ultimately cannot eliminate the bright shadow. My guess is that at the weld line, the hot melt meets the cold melt and gets stuck there before cooling down, thus forming a bright shadow on the surface. However, the customer insists that we solve it by modifying the material, which I don't think is the right approach. Can anyone offer some insights?
Do any of you mold with Radilon? We use Radilon ARV300 for a few of our parts, and even with a brand new check ring, it never wants to hold cushion consistently, even when we move the transfer and shot size to accomodate. There's no leaks or flashing on the parts. I've been doing setups and a small amount of processing for a couple years but have never gotten a good answer on this when I ask at work.
Before using the single-layer 6-coated metal insert, we had already heated the metal insert to 80 degrees Celsius.
Hello,
Does anyone have reccomendations for molders/labs that will run some plaque tests for us?
We're looking to make a product using a combination of TPU and either PC, PC/ABS or PC/ASA but are looking to verify material compatibility before opening the tool.
We would provide the materials and would hope to have various combinations 2K/overmolded into coupons that can then be mechanically tested for material compatibility. Tests would include Peel, Shear and Lap testing.
Ideally the lab would be located in UK or EU, but open to further afield too.
Cheers everyone!
Good morning, everyone!
I work with injection molding here in southern Brazil. Our main business has always been shoe soles, but we’re looking to start making some other products as well.
The problem is that all of our machines are older 120-ton Himacos from the ’80s, with no PLC. They’re perfectly fine for shoe soles (PVC and TR), but the margins on soles make it hard to justify investing in bigger, newer machines. Also, machines around here in southern Brazil can cost twice as much as they do in São Paulo, for example.
So my question is: has anyone here worked with machines like these and knows what kinds of products we could start making on them? Ideally, something that can be molded cleanly without a lot of flash.
Material load isn’t really an issue for us. The main limitation is the clamping force.
Any ideas or experience would be really appreciated!
We normally start with the shot size and V/P transfer position, then try adjusting the injection speed, pressure limit, melt temperature, or mold temperature. We’ll also check the material, barrel, and nozzle for feeding or plasticizing issues.
If none of that works, we may have to modify the venting, gate, or runner. But mold changes can be a hassle. Anything else worth trying first?
Hi everyone,
I’m currently working in injection molding in Romania and I’m considering looking for opportunities elsewhere in Europe. I’d really appreciate some honest feedback from people working in the plastics/injection molding industry, especially regarding job positions, responsibilities and realistic salaries.
I have 3+ years of hands-on experience in injection molding, and my experience is a combination of process technician/setter work and process engineering responsibilities.
My experience includes:
Injection molding for both technical/industrial and automotive applications
Different types of thermoplastics and filled engineering polymers
Setting up and optimizing injection molding processes
Process troubleshooting and defect elimination
Root-cause analysis for molding problems
Optimization of injection, holding, cooling, temperatures, decompression, screw recovery, etc.
Understanding and troubleshooting issues relatez to material, mold, machine and process interactions
Experience with both simple and complex molds
2K molds
Hydraulic cores
Pneumatic systems
Hydraulic and pneumatic valves
Slides / side actions
Mold systems with different types of cores and mechanisms
Hot runner systems and valve gates
General understanding of mold construction and how different mechanisms affect the molding process
Experience with Engel, Arburg, KraussMaffai, Haitian injection molding machines
Engel CC300 controls
Engel Viper robots
Engel and STAR robot programming
Sensors and basic machine/process electrical troubleshooting
Thermocouples and temperature-control
Basic injection molding machine maintenance, while I’m currently developing my knowledge further in this area
Process parameter development and optimization based both on theory and practical experience
Mold trials, sampling and production start-up
Participation in RFQ activities and technical discussions
Experience working between production, tooling, process and engineering requirements
Some experience with Moldflow and theoretical process simulation/analysis
One of my strengths is that I’m not only familiar with the theoretical side of injection molding. I’m used to actually being next to the machine, changing parameters, investigating defects, checking the mold and machine, and trying to identify the real root cause instead of simply adjusting parameters until the part looks acceptable.
I’m also comfortable working with the tooling side of the process because I understand how different mold constructions, cores, slides, valves, hot runners, etc. influence the process.
I would like to move towards a more clearly defined Process Engineer / Injection Molding Engineer role, while still keeping the hands-on aspect of the job. I’m not interested in being an engineer who only works behind a desk, actually i hate that kind of work, I enjoy troubleshooting and working directly with machines, molds, robots and production.
I’m particularly interested in opportunities in countries such as Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Czech Republic, Poland or other European countries with a strong plastics/automotive industry.
For those of you already working in injection molding:
It ran 9 hours like this
Bom dia pessoal ! Trabalho com injeção aqui no RS e o forte sempre foi solado de calçado aqui, mas queremos injetar outras coisas, porém nossas maquinas são todas himaco de 120T dos anos 80 (sem CLP), pois para o solado (PVC e TR) é suficiente, pois a margem que temos no solado impossibilita trabalhar com máquinas maiores e melhores e aqui no RS as máquinas custam o dobro do que SP por exemplo. Então a pergunta é: alguém ja trabalhou com essas máquinas e sabe oq posso injetar nelas pra começar? Algum produto que fique bom (sem rebarba)? Carga não é um problema, só a limitação de fechamento mesmo.
Any suggestions?
I am trying to use a silicone mold to make sabots for my pellet rifle, only problem is my sabots are really thin so I need a relatively low viscosity plastic that is not too brittle but or tacky when cooled.
I've come across a bit of an odd problem. When I lick the water in/outs and the valve gate hydraulics I get this rather aweful metallic and sour taste in my mouth. The ejector rods also taste like dirt and the thermolator water tastes..... Rusty.
What have you guys done to make your molds taste better?
Not sure if this is a universal number, but does anyone have a number to torque bolts down for molds when setting in the press? Specifically for the toe clamps.
I'm trying to get our shop away from feelings. I want black and white numbers.
My first thought is to check the bolt specification and then check to see what force I need to ensure the friction of the mold and platen is sufficient, then use X number of toe clamps to exceed that number.
Trying to find a manufacturer to make a price of plexi as shown above. One side is flat the other is zigzag lines, not fluted. More like the design on Charlie Browns shirt. Who can make this? I searched all over! I want finished pieces to be roughly 24”x 12”
Halp!