How to Start Up an Injection Molding Machine

The Flow

Locate the airlines to the machine. The airlines often come down from the ceiling and are easily spotted based on their small diameter, lack of a pair, and color.

Turn the lever handle so it is parallel to the line. When the lever is perpendicular to the line all flow Is completely blocked by the valve.

Locate the main supply and return waterlines. These lines will come from the ceiling in pairs. They should be marked with an S and an R for supply and return. They will have a large diameter to move large quantities of water.

Turn the lever handles so they are parallel with the line. This will open the valve to allow flow into the machine.

Turn all lever handles in the water system that lead to valves that are in use. The main supply and return are hooked into a pipe system with several valves. All the valves should be opened to allow water to flow through the different sections of the molding machine.

Auxiliary devices

Activate the mold chiller. This will be the main controller for mold temperature. It is often located behind the machine close to the injection unit.

Read the material specifications sheet from the supplier to find suggested water temperature. This will be located under thermal specifications.

Set the mold chiller to the specified temperature. Press the arrows beside the label (SP) set point up or down to reach the specified temperature

The Machine

Turn the molding machine on. Now that all basic auxiliary equipment has been activated it is good to start. Look away from the on switch while turning the molding machine on.

Turn the motor on. This can be different on each machine but is generally a button

Turn the heaters on. This will be a button that will glow when on

Read the material specifications sheet to find the appropriate processing temperature for whatever plastic that will be molded. This will be under thermal properties for the plastic

Set the temperature and let the machine reach its set temperature.

That Is how to start up an injection molding machine. Once the machine is up to temperature it becomes how to set up a repeatable process