The preparation work for injection molds before transportation is crucial, as it directly affects the safety, service life, and smoothness of subsequent production.
Core Objectives
Ensure that the molds during transportation are: rust-proof, damage-proof, error-proof, and traceable.
I. Technical Preparation and Status Confirmation
Mold Status Freezing and Confirmation:
- Ensure that the mold has completed its final trial or production and that the product quality is qualified.
- It is essential to keep the last batch of qualified samples and send them with the mold as a benchmark for the recipient’s acceptance.
Technical Document Organization:
- Prepare complete accompanying documents for the mold, including but not limited to:
- Mold drawings (assembly drawings, part drawings)
- Mold operation manual (including technical parameters)
- Trial report (most recent)
- Spare parts list (including wear parts numbers)
- Maintenance history records
- Seal all documents in waterproof bags and ship them with the mold or send an electronic version to the recipient in advance.
II. Mold Cleaning and Rust Prevention
This is the most critical physical preparation step before transportation.
Thorough Cleaning:
- Use professional mold cleaning agents to completely remove oil, residual plastics (such as PVC, ABS), scale, and dust from all parts, including cavities, cores, sliders, ejectors, and runners.
- Special attention should be paid to corrosive plastics (like PVC and flame-retardant materials), which must be completely cleaned to avoid rusting.
Comprehensive Rust Prevention:
- Spraying Rust-Proof Oil: Evenly spray a layer of high-efficiency, long-lasting rust inhibitor on all processing surfaces (cavity, core, parting surface, guide pillars, guide bushes, ejectors, sliders, etc.). Choose rust-proof oil with an appropriate cycle based on transportation distance and climate (e.g., sea freight, rainy season).
- Special Note: For cooling water holes, use rust-proof water or waterway cleaning agents for rinsing, then thoroughly blow dry with a high-pressure air gun to prevent internal rust and freeze cracking (especially important for winter transportation to cold regions).
- Wrap Protection: For precision molding surfaces, apply rust-proof paper or non-corrosive protective film after spraying rust-proof oil to avoid direct friction.
III. Mold Locking and Fixing
Prevent the mold from vibrating or opening during transportation, which could cause damage to components.
Locking the Mold:
- Fully close the mold.
- Use locking plates or specialized locking devices (such as torque wrench locking devices) to securely lock the moving and fixed molds. It is strictly prohibited to use the injection machine’s locking force to lift the mold, as this is extremely dangerous.
- The locking force should be evenly moderate to avoid excessive locking, which may cause mold deformation or damage to the locking device.
Component Fixing:
- Slider/Ejector Handling: Push all sliders back to the final closed position and use spring plates, limit blocks, or pins to secure them, preventing them from sliding and colliding during transportation.
- Ejector System Fixing: Retract the ejector plate to the fully reset position. If necessary, use fixing screws to connect the ejector plate to the moving mold base to prevent the ejector plate from moving back and forth during vibration, damaging the ejector, ejector pin, or core.
- Loose Parts Handling: Remove all accessories such as nozzles, heating rings, thermocouples, and spare parts from the mold, label them, and place them in a dedicated box for transportation with the mold. Never leave them loosely in the mold or packing box.
IV. Lifting and Packaging
Safe Lifting:
- Check that the lifting ring holes (mold lifting holes) are intact and clean.
- Use appropriate, undamaged lifting equipment (lifting rings, steel ropes/slings).
- Follow the principle of “slow lifting and slow placing” to ensure that the mold is stable during lifting, avoiding violent swinging that could impact equipment or personnel.
Sturdy Packaging:
- Choose Packaging Method:
- Wooden Crate Packaging: For precision, large molds, or long-distance/sea transport, a solid wooden crate with a reinforced bottom must be used. The mold must be securely fixed to the base of the wooden crate with pressure plates and bolts, leaving a gap between the mold and the inner wall of the crate, filled with cushioning materials such as foam boards or thick sponge to ensure no movement inside the crate.
- Waterproof and Moisture-Proof: Place desiccants inside the packaging box and mark and implement rainproof and moisture-proof measures on the outside of the box.
V. Labeling and Documents
Clear Labeling:
- Hang or stick labels in prominent positions on the mold body and packaging box.
- Label information should include: mold number, mold name, total weight, lifting direction (center of gravity), manufacturer, recipient information, and precautions (e.g., “rainproof,” “handle with care,” “upward”).
Shipping List:
- Prepare a detailed shipping list that lists all dispatched items (mold body, spare parts box, document bag, etc.) and carry it with the vehicle for easy handover and counting.
Final Checklist Before Transportation
- Has the mold been thoroughly cleaned and rust prevention completed?
- Have the cooling water channels been dried and rust-proofed?
- Is the mold fully closed and securely locked with locking plates?
- Are all sliders and ejectors fixed?
- Has the ejector plate been retracted and secured?
- Have all accessories and spare parts been removed and boxed?
- Are the accompanying documents (drawings, manuals, samples) complete?
- Are the lifting ring holes intact, and is the lifting equipment qualified?
- Is the packaging box sturdy, and is the mold securely fastened inside?
- Are the labeling tags and information clear and accurate?
- Is the shipping list prepared?
By strictly following the above steps, the safety of injection molds during transportation can be maximized, avoiding unnecessary losses.