Refuse the "Show of Force" for Work Stoppage! Here's Your Injection Molding Machine Holiday Maintenance Guide

Low temperatures in northern regions can affect injection molding machine operation. It is necessary to take measures against cold and moisture to prevent freezing and equipment damage.

Injection molding machines transmit power through hydraulic oil, and the suitable operating temperature is 10℃-40℃. If the oil temperature is below this range, the viscosity will increase, leading to insufficient pressure. For customers in cold northern regions, it is recommended to install an oil temperature preheating function, controlling the oil temperature between 45℃-55℃. When starting a cold machine, the cooling water should be turned off first, and then turned on after the oil temperature rises to a reasonable range. When a cold machine is producing, products tend to be oversized, and then shrink as the oil temperature rises. This is a common reason for samples being qualified while mass production is unstable.

In addition, based on after-sales experience, new machines shipped to the Northeast region have previously experienced damage to the pre-filter due to freezing at low temperatures. Referring to the factory protection logic for the water separator block – it won't freeze if pipes are not connected and there is no water inside – it is imperative to drain all accumulated water from pipes, filters, and other components during the Chinese New Year shutdown to prevent freezing damage.

Before shutting down the injection molding machine, the plastic inside the barrel should be thoroughly cleaned to prevent residual material from oxidizing or decomposing due to prolonged heating. Once cleaning is complete, retract the screw to its maximum stroke position. This prevents the screw head from being damaged by overheating during the next startup.

Thoroughly clean the sediment inside the lubricant tank and replace the gear oil. After filling with new oil, a manual lubrication test must be performed. Observe whether the indicator rod of each lubricant distributor extends (the indicator rods must retract smoothly when the lubricant pump relieves pressure) and check for any ruptures in the oil pipes; ensure timely replacement if any issues are found.

Reset the robot position. Typically, during a short shutdown, the mold remains in place and the robot only moves transversally out of the machine. However, for a long-term shutdown with the mold removed, the robot position must be restored to its home state.

During the holiday shutdown, there's no need to leave the mold on the machine for an extended period. Instead, remove it for secondary and tertiary mold maintenance (specifically following the mold TPM maintenance procedure).

Use an air gun to blow out residual water from the cooling channels of the electric injection gearbox. Similarly, the residual water in the conventional water-cooling mechanism of the electric injection motor must also be blown clean. It is recommended to replace the filter element of the pre-filter. For machines using antifreeze to cool the electric injection motor, check if the antifreeze level is within the standard range (top up if insufficient).

To clean the injection molding machine's control cabinet, first turn off the main power supply. Remove the air inlet filter and clean it using a high-pressure air gun. Then, use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from inside the cabinet. After cleaning, turn on the power and inspect the exhaust fans at the air outlets for any abnormal noise or failure to rotate; if any issues are found, replace the fans promptly.

For the maintenance of mold adjustment and injection tail plate lubrication points, it is crucial to perform maintenance at least every six months, and each time ensure that new oil goes in and old oil comes out.

Open the motor sealing plate to observe if the motor fan is operating normally. If the fan is not rotating, it needs to be replaced promptly. Additionally, use an air gun to clean the dust on the motor cooling fan and the motor's heat dissipation fins. Ensure the machine's power is turned off during cleaning.

Close all doors and windows, implement moisture-proofing for electrical boxes, and ensure control box doors are tightly shut to prevent rodent damage. Take other necessary anti-rodent measures. Finally, perform 5S cleaning of the surrounding area, ensuring all metal chips, material pellets, oil stains, water spots, and debris are thoroughly cleared.