Injection Molding
We use several injection molding presses at our facility to manufacture many different components out of varied thermoplastics. Up until now, we have calibrated the temperature controllers only. We rationalized that the pressures and times were reference numbers that were verified by the output of the machine. In other words, everytime a mold was installed in the press, the first shot would be inspected to verify that it meets specifications. If it did not, then the pressures and time could be adjusted until a good shot was produced. Then parts would be sampled throughout the run of product and at the end to make sure that the product did not drift out of spec. Temperature was considered to be a critical parameter due to the possible degradation of material that could not be inspected for if the temperature was inaccurate.
Now, we have leadership that wants to see calibrations on time and pressure. I am not very knowledgable about injection molding, but I notice that there are a lot of times and pressures available to calibrate on each press. I guess my question is simply what makes sense to calibrate on these things, and what should be left as reference only? We need to meet ISO 9000, FDA, and shortly ISO 13485 requirements. The presses that we have include Arburg, Kawaguchi, and Toshiba.
Does anyone out there have any guidance that I could use?
We use several injection molding presses at our facility to manufacture many different components out of varied thermoplastics. Up until now, we have calibrated the temperature controllers only. We rationalized that the pressures and times were reference numbers that were verified by the output of the machine. In other words, everytime a mold was installed in the press, the first shot would be inspected to verify that it meets specifications. If it did not, then the pressures and time could be adjusted until a good shot was produced. Then parts would be sampled throughout the run of product and at the end to make sure that the product did not drift out of spec. Temperature was considered to be a critical parameter due to the possible degradation of material that could not be inspected for if the temperature was inaccurate.
Now, we have leadership that wants to see calibrations on time and pressure. I am not very knowledgable about injection molding, but I notice that there are a lot of times and pressures available to calibrate on each press. I guess my question is simply what makes sense to calibrate on these things, and what should be left as reference only? We need to meet ISO 9000, FDA, and shortly ISO 13485 requirements. The presses that we have include Arburg, Kawaguchi, and Toshiba.
Does anyone out there have any guidance that I could use?