Installation and Maintenance of Side Cores in Injection Molds
Proper installation and maintenance of side cores in injection molds are essential for ensuring mold efficiency and extending its service life.
Installation Steps for Side Cores
1. Preparation
Inspect all components of the side core (e.g., side core insert, slider, angled guide pin, guide rail) to ensure they are intact and meet design specifications.
Clean the mold installation area to remove any debris or oil.
2. Installing the Slider and Guide Rail
Properly place the slider in the guide rail or groove, ensuring smooth movement without sticking.
Apply an appropriate amount of lubricant to the contact surfaces between the slider and guide rail to reduce friction.
3. Installing the Angled Guide Pin
Ensure the angle of the guide pin matches the design specifications, typically between 15° and 25°.
Avoid over-tightening bolts during installation to prevent deformation, ensuring accurate guidance for the slider's movement.
4. Securing the Side Core Insert
Attach the side core insert to the slider, ensuring its alignment with the demolding direction.
Verify the side core insert's positioning to prevent interference with the plastic part.
5. Adjusting the Return Spring
Install the return spring or reset mechanism to ensure the side core resets smoothly after mold opening.
Adjust the spring tension to ensure it provides adequate force for resetting without hindering mold opening.
6. Final Testing After Installation
Manually move the side core to simulate its motion trajectory within the mold, ensuring no obstructions.
Close the mold and conduct trial runs, observing the side core's performance during mold opening and closing.
Routine Maintenance of Side Cores
1. Lubrication Maintenance
Regularly check the lubrication of contact points, such as between the slider and guide rail or the angled guide pin, and add lubricant as needed.
For molds in high-frequency use, consider employing an automatic lubrication system.
2. Cleaning
Clean the side core insert, slider, and guide rail regularly to prevent the accumulation of dust, plastic debris, or other contaminants that could cause jamming.
Pay special attention to cleaning the mold surface after producing corrosive plastic parts.
3. Wear Inspection
Periodically inspect the side core insert, slider, and angled guide pin for signs of wear or scratches. Replace any components showing significant damage.
Repair or replace worn guide rails promptly to maintain movement precision.
4. Fastener Inspection
Check the tightness of all bolts connecting the side core components to ensure secure installation.
Inspect the return spring and other fixtures for aging or failure, and replace them as needed.
5. Anti-Corrosion Treatment
When the mold is not in use for an extended period, apply anti-rust oil to the metal surfaces of the side core insert, slider, and angled guide pin to prevent rusting.
Store the mold in a dry, ventilated environment to minimize corrosion risk.
By following proper installation procedures and conducting regular maintenance, the operational efficiency of the side core can be improved significantly, while also extending the mold's service life and reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
