Mould Loading & Unloading

Mould Removing, Cleaning and Storage:

1. Heat the mould to room temperature before removal to evaporate any surface condensation. Using a mild, clean shop safety solvent and soft, clean towels; gently clean internal mould surfaces to remove residual dirt.

2. Move the ejector system fully forward and spray both mould halves with a shop-approved protective rust preventive before retracting the ejector and closing the mould.

3. Drain and blow free all residual water to avoid rust buildup. No water should be trapped inside the mould and it is critical.

4. Make sure all bolts plates and clamps are properly placed and the safety straps are secured and tightened.

5. Remove mould, check and clean it again, if required

6. Bag the last two or four shots to store with the mould (including parts, sprue and runner) as examples of the expected run quality.

7. Store the moulds on storage racks –notably out of shop floor.

8. Don’t let water lines stick out when storing moulds on racks.

9. Wrap the mould with plastics. Ensure that air is dry when wrapping, or put desiccant air absorption bag inside so that temperature changes don’t cause condensation inside the wrapping that could form rusting.

Loading a Mould for Production from Storage:

1. Open the mould to clean the parting surfaces, cores and cavities.

2. After opening the mould, remove the mould preservative and any dust or particulate with approved, clean, and safe shop solvents. Use a lint free pad or clean towels. (Don’t think the first shot will scrape off the protective coating and cleanout preservative).

3. Separate and clean all plate faces. 

4. After spraying with cleaning fluid, clean any highly polished surfaces with uncontaminated facial tissues or cotton balls, not with brushes or rags. Don’t touch them with bare hand. Dust on fingertips can scratch the polished surfaces. And dust or rust in the airlines can damage polished cavity, so be careful when blowing them out.

5. Lubricate all moving parts, if required. Use Lubricant judiciously on moving parts that contact plastic parts.

6. Flush all water lines with a descaling agent to remove scale build up.