Instruction For Sizing Injection Molding Machines

Instruction For Sizing Injection Molding Machines

 

Injection molding machinery suppliers often receive requests for quotes asking for pricing based on the tonnage of the machine only. Whenever they demand their purchasing details, buyers always ignore the correct amount and ask for a general quote for selling. Suppliers always need details to help buyers purchase the best configuration as per their requirements.

Start With The Clamp

There are a few things to consider when it comes to braces. Yes, the pun was intended. In addition to the clamping force, other important factors are the distance between the tie bars, the minimum mold height, the maximum mold height, the stroke, and the daylight.

Let’s look at the types of clamp design. The toggle clamp is a  design that has been tried and tested for decades, as is the clamp design based on a hydraulic cylinder. Over the last 20 years, the industry has developed the two-platen machine which has, for all practical purposes, replaced the hydraulic cylinder. Finally, there is the C-frame clamp design typically found on vertical machines; it has been seen on horizontal machines more recently, but only on those offered by a vendor. The most common clamp designs are toggles and two-plate.

 

injection molding machine

 

Manufacturers report tonnage in three ways: kilonewtons, metric tons, and U.Metric tons. Asian suppliers generally refer to kilonewtons, while European suppliers refer to metric tons, and US suppliers and customers to U.tons. A ton is basically one-tenth of a kilonewton. A U-ton will be 10 percent larger than a metric ton.

An important factor to consider is the distance between the tie rods. Casters today are trying to fit large molds into clamps. Don’t forget the minimum mold height, maximum mold height, stroke, and natural light to ensure the largest mold you intend to use will fit comfortably on the machine.

 

tie bar space in injection molding machines

 

One of the mistakes many shapers make is misinterpreting travel and daylight. The travel is the dimension from the minimum height of the mold or the maximum height of the mold to the most open position of the movable platen. Daylight is the dimension from the face of your fixed panel to the face of the moving panel in its most open position. The stroke, and how you call it, changes depending on whether it’s a lever machine or a hydraulic cylinder machine.

Sizing The Injection Unit

 

When making offers for machines, the injection unit is often neglected. Factors to consider include material type, fillers in the material, mold size,  cycle time, dwell time,  injection plastic pressure, screw recovery time, and screw geometry. Unless otherwise noted, most machine builders list their molding machines with a General Purpose (GP) screw. But many applications need to use a mixing auger and sometimes a locking mixing auger.

What if you buy a machine and the screw and barrel is too small for the application? It overloads the injection unit. During processing, the residence time can be too short, which limits the homogenization of the melt; The recovery time can exceed the cooldown time and you are wasting valuable cycle time.

What happens if you buy an injection unit that is too big for the required minimum injection size? It does not use the injection unit. A certain amount of material is required to assemble the retaining ring. As injection usage decreases, the effect of the check valve on material flow increases. In addition, too long a dwell time can result, causing the material to deteriorate.

injection machines shot size utilization

Volumetric metric capacity is the correct way to specify injection units and compare vendors. Be careful with this analysis to consider the type of material used by your application. Most injection molding machine manufacturers present PS-based injection unit specifications. But performance data will be different for other materials.

Learn More: Injection Molding Machine structure

 

Here Are Some Key Points

 

  • Analyze The specifications of the clamp and the specifications of the injection unit of the injection molding machine are considered separately. 
  • In addition to the clamping force, consider other important factors such as the distance between the bars, minimum mold height, maximum mold height, lift, and daylight.
  • The specifications of the injection unit are depending just as important according to the specification of the clamp. 
  • Target: 20 to 80% shot capacity for general purpose resin applications, but  30 to 50% shot capacity for engineering resins.
  • Always remember to set your calculations for the correct power factor of the material being processed and then set your specifications correctly for the calculated shot size.

For further information related to Sizing Injection Molding Machines, please bookmark mentioned point and check back periodically to get more information.

More To Explore

Send Your Inquiry Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Daoben has the SOP (Standard Operation Procedure) and all the production steps must follow up this SOP. Every machine needs at least automatic running over 72 hours and must be inspected carefully before shipment.

Actually, the delivery time of the machines is depended on the machine options. Normally, the delivery time of a standard machine could be within 1-2 months.

12 months warranty after shipment for mechanical parts, hydraulic parts, and electric components excluding the screw and barrel 6 months (not including use for recycled material or reclaimed material).

Yes, Daoben will provide one set of standard spare parts to the customer including a heater, filter, screw head, screw washer, checking ring, sealings, etc.

Surely, we have experienced technical engineers for oversea service, they would help you install machines and support training to workers also. Currently, we provide visits online by video call for COVID-19.

Send Us Your Inquiry
× Whatsapp Us