What is Injection Mold Assembly Process?
Injection Mold Assembly Process
The assembly process of a mold can generally be divided into the following four stages.
(1) Preparation Stage Before Assembly
The preparation stage before mold assembly mainly includes the following aspects:
① Familiarize with the Assembly Process Specification The assembly process specification is a technical document that stipulates the mold assembly process and methods, serving as the basis for formulating the assembly production plan and technical preparations. Therefore, the assembly fitter must be familiar with the assembly process specification before assembly to master the entire mold assembly process.
② Study and Analyze the Assembly Drawing The mold assembly drawing is the main basis for mold assembly. Generally speaking, the structure of the mold largely determines the assembly procedure and method. Only by fully studying and analyzing the general assembly drawing, component assembly drawing, and part drawings can one deeply understand the structural characteristics and working principle of the mold, clarify the function of each part in the mold, and the positional requirements, fit relationships, and connection methods between the parts. Only then can the assembly datum be reasonably determined, and the assembly method and sequence be set in combination with the process specification.
③ Clean and Inspect Parts According to the parts list on the mold general assembly drawing, check the types and number of parts, and clean all machined parts before assembly to ensure there are no burrs or residue. Carefully inspect the dimensions and form-position errors of the main working parts, and check the fit surfaces of the parts for damage, deformation, cracks, or other defects. At the same time, prepare standard parts such as screws, pins, and springs required for assembly according to the detailed list on the assembly drawing.
④ Master the Mold Acceptance Technical Conditions The mold acceptance technical conditions are the quality standards and acceptance basis for the mold, and also the basis for the assembly process. The mold acceptance technical conditions are mainly composed of the technical agreement signed between the mold manufacturer and the customer, the technical requirements for the product, and the quality standards and other technical documents issued by the state. Therefore, these technical conditions must be fully understood before assembly, so that attention can be paid to every assembly detail to assemble a high-quality mold that meets the acceptance technical conditions.
⑤ Arrange the Assembly Site The mold assembly site is a necessary condition to ensure civilized production. It must be clean and tidy, with clearly divided functional areas, and no irrelevant clutter is allowed. For small and medium-sized molds, the assembly can generally be completed on the assembly workbench. The assembly workbench should have clearly demarcated areas for tools, fixtures, and parts. Tools must be put back in place immediately after use and cannot be mixed with mold parts.
⑥ Prepare Assembly Tools and Required Auxiliary Materials Before mold assembly, the necessary tools, fixtures, measuring instruments and required assembly equipment must be prepared and stored in a fixed area for the mold. At the same time, auxiliary materials required during the assembly process, such as rubber, low-melting-point alloys, epoxy resin, inorganic binder, and thin copper shims, should also be prepared.
(2) Component Assembly Stage
Component assembly refers to the entire process of connecting two or more parts into a local assembly component according to the component function, assembly process specification, and specified technical requirements. Component assembly is the foundation of general mold assembly, so component assembly must strictly follow the technical requirements. Only by assembling qualified components that meet the requirements can the assembly accuracy of the entire mold be guaranteed.
(3) General Assembly Stage
General assembly refers to the entire process of connecting the parts and assembled components into the overall mold according to the assembly drawing. Before general mold assembly, the assembled components should be selected as the datum part. At the same time, the installation sequence of the moving mold and fixed mold should be arranged to assemble the moving mold and fixed mold separately, and finally, the assembly of the moving and fixed molds (mold closing assembly) is performed, and the assembly precision is guaranteed to meet the indicators specified in the mold assembly drawing and technical requirements. The assembled mold is then tried out on a mold closing machine to confirm that the moving and fixed molds close correctly and that all moving components run smoothly, thus completing the general mold assembly.
(4) Inspection and Debugging Stage
After the mold assembly is completed, a preliminary inspection of the functions of all parts of the mold needs to be carried out according to the mold acceptance technical conditions, and then the mold is tested on an injection machine. By analyzing the results of the test mold, the mold is debugged or repaired accordingly until the mold can stably produce qualified plastic parts, and only then can the mold be put into use.