FM Tool & Die inventories a wide variety of spare injection molded components and parts for use in our mold repair services.
The components of a plastic injection mold are crucial for the manufacturing process, where molten plastic is injected into a mold cavity to produce parts of various shapes and sizes. Here’s an overview of the primary components:
- Mold Base: The foundation of the injection mold that holds all parts of the mold together. It includes the plates, pins, bushings, and blocks that support the mold cavity, core, and the injection system.
- Cavity and Core (Mold Inserts): The cavity is the hollow part of the mold where the plastic is injected to form the part. The core is the male part of the mold that shapes the internal geometry of the part. Together, the cavity and core define the shape and surface of the molded part.
- Sprue, Runner, and Gate System:
- Sprue: The passage through which the molten plastic is injected into the mold.
- Runner: A system of channels that guide the molten plastic from the sprue to the gates.
- Gate: The point at which the plastic enters the cavity. The gate size and type are critical for the quality of the molded part.
- Ejector System: After the plastic cools and solidifies, the ejector system is used to remove the part from the mold. It includes ejector pins or blades that push the part out of the mold cavity.
- Cooling System: Channels through the mold that allow for coolant (usually water) to flow through and remove heat from the mold, ensuring the plastic solidifies quickly and uniformly. Proper cooling is vital for cycle time and part quality.
- Venting System: Small vents or gaps at the parting line or elsewhere in the mold that allow air and gases to escape as the mold is filled with molten plastic. This prevents air pockets and defects in the final part.
- Slides and Lifters: Components used to create undercuts or recesses in the molded part. Slides move laterally, and lifters move at an angle to demold parts with complex geometries.
- Mold Plates: Various plates within the mold base that support the mold inserts, ejector system, and other components. These include the A plate (cavity side), B plate (core side), support plate, ejector plate, and others.
- Alignment System: Pins and bushings that ensure the mold halves are precisely aligned when closed. Proper alignment is crucial for part quality and to prevent damage to the mold.
- Control System: Temperature and pressure controls that manage the injection and cooling phases of the molding process to ensure consistent part quality.
Please contact us today if you are in need of injection mold repair services
