Table of Contents
How long does an injection Mould last?
A well-made tool may last many times its original guaranteed lifetime, just like your washing machine might now be 10 years past its 1-year guarantee. Repairs may be needed, or parts may need to be reinforced, but the mould tool is likely to serve for many more years.
How many cycles does an injection mold last?
So in essence, a production cycle directly correlates to the number of parts an injection mold will be able to produce in its lifetime. The SPI (Society of the Plastics Industry) classifies injection molds based on their life expectancy: Class 101 – Life expectancy of +1,000,000 cycles.
How long does an aluminum injection mold last?
What is the life expectancy of a tool? Aluminum tools are good for a lifespan of anywhere from 2,000- 10,000 parts depending on the type of aluminum used, part material and geometry. Steel tools are good for a lifespan of 100,000 + parts depending on the material and geometry of the part.
Does mold have a life?
Mold is more than simply a smelly and unsightly stain on walls, ceilings and other surfaces. Like all forms of fungus, mold is a living organism that can grow and reproduce.
Are mold spores alive?
Mold spores become inactive temporarily after they have dried out but can remain a threat as long as they are present in the environment. Without constant moisture, mold will become inactive but they never die unless you get rid of them completely.
What is the most common injection molded plastic?
The Ten Most Common Plastic Injection Molding Materials
- acrylic (PMMA)
- acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
- nylon polyamide (PA)
- polycarbonate (PC)
- polyethyelene (PE)
- polyoxymethylene (POM)
- polypropylene (PP)
- polystyrene (PS)
How many cycle counts do I need for my injection mold?
Not wanting disappoint on the first day, I threw out a standard rule of thumb used when pressed for max cycle counts: 250,000 cycles is typically a good starting point for the average injection mold, but it can vary greatly—up or down—depending upon the following production characteristics and mold design features:
How does the injection molding process work and what is it?
It works by injecting molten materials into a mould (or ‘mold’ in the United States). It is typically used as a mass production process to manufacture thousands of identical items.
Is it time to clean your mold?
Although we may not always be able to clean every mold every time it needs it, timely cleaning is critical with some molds because of the damage that can occur when maximum cycle counts are ignored. When steel is gone—it’s gone.
What happens if you over run a mold cycle?
Part defects “localized” by unbalanced filling or steel variations must be recognized and considered when setting maximum cycle counts. But generally speaking, anytime you over-run a mold, you increase the risk of molding bad parts through burns, shorts, weld lines, or dirty or flashed parts.