What is In-Mold Hot Runner Cutting Technology?
In-mold hot runner cutting, fully known as In-Mold Hot Runner Gate Cutting Technology, is an advanced auxiliary process for injection molding. It involves specialized in-mold cutting devices (such as hot blades or hot pins) that use heat and mechanical/pneumatic/hydraulic power within the molding cycle to separate the product from the gate (sprue) inside the mold.
Core Objective: To achieve automated, flash-free sprue removal, thereby enhancing production efficiency, improving product quality, and reducing reliance on subsequent manual handling.
Main Advantages of In-Mold Hot Cutting:
- Improved Production Efficiency:
Eliminates the post-molding sprue trimming step, shortening the overall cycle time.
Enables fully automated production, reducing dependence on manual labor. - Enhanced Product Quality:
Prevents product damage, stress whitening, scratches, and other defects caused by manual sprue cutting.
Creates a flat, aesthetically pleasing, and residue-free gate break point, achieving “gate-less” injection molding. - Reduced Production Costs:
Direct Savings: Saves on labor costs associated with secondary trimming operations.
Indirect Savings: Lowers the reject rate caused by sprue-related issues and improves material utilization. - Enables Automated Production:
Serves as a key technology for realizing “unmanned workshops” and “Industry 4.0” smart manufacturing.
In-mold hot runner cutting technology is a significant hallmark of modern injection molding’s progression towards high efficiency, high quality, and high automation. Although it entails higher initial costs and more complex technical challenges, the substantial returns it delivers in production efficiency and product quality make it an indispensable technology in high-value-added, high-volume injection molding production sectors.