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How to Protect Your Injection Molds from Machine to Shop

You are done molding, and it is time to get the mold out of the machine and to the shop. This is one of the most vulnerable times for your mold.

Remember, during molding you have cool water circulating as part of the temperature control system. As your mold cools, especially in a high-humidity environment, this cooling water will cause external temperature changes and condensation will form on the mold’s surface. Now you have mold sweat.

Prevent mold sweat

As your mold cools, apply a light coat of rust preventive to protect the mold. This will displace moisture and serve as a protective barrier while the mold is being removed and shuttled to the shop.

Now the mold sits. It is rare for a mold to get immediate attention. It is staged, in line with other shop projects, waiting for its turn. It could be hours, or days, before technicians start working.

When you first arrive at the shop cover the mold more thoroughly with rust preventive. You have handled the mold getting it out of the machine, placed it on a cart, then handled it again to place it on a table. You could have disturbed the layer of preventive you applied, added a few fingerprints, and removed protection from critical areas of the mold. Another layer of rust preventive will ensure all critical parts are covered and protected from the environment.

This procedure is even more important in environments where PVC and flame-retardant resins are being molded. The gas-off remains in the air and attacks mold steel. Molds sitting unprotected for extended periods of time will be adversely impacted, and over time require even more maintenance and repairs.

For technical advise and smart mold care solutions, contact your local Slide distributor, or go to SlideProducts.com for samples and expertise.

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