Big Data and Mold Maintenance
One way injection molding companies can use the data provided by a mold monitoring system is to plan and schedule PM for molds, even at multiple manufacturing plants. This offers the shop real-time visibility of current and upcoming PM needs for its molds. This information then can also aid in the decision-making process.
Here is an example of how one OEM analyzed cycle-time trends for existing tools from reports generated by its monitoring system. The manufacturer noted that, as a mold aged, its cycle times consistently increased. In one instance, it also found that the amount of curing time required to keep the molded part within tolerance also increased as the mold aged. Upon further examination, the molder discovered that the cooling system in the plant “contained a lot of junk.” As molds cycled, their cooling systems became impeded by corrosion, which impacted the molds’ ability to cool. In response, the molder simply increased cure times for the molded parts.
After the problem was correctly identified and addressed through a maintenance program, cycle times for each mold were greatly reduced; in fact, many of the molds achieved cycle times they had not reached since their initial runs. In the end, this OEM instituted a waterline maintenance program that has driven real productivity gains and, in at least one case, decreased the need to build additional molds.
Another way a company may want to capitalize on the data provided by a monitoring system is to simply monitor its assets. For example, a mold asset manager may need to track the condition and PM needs for a large fleet of molds for which he is responsible. Complicating this task is the fact that these molds may be spread throughout the country, requiring a lot of time to review their status and conditions. With a mold monitoring system in place, this job can be done much more efficiently. A remote mold monitoring system enables a shop to view the condition of a fleet of molds by logging into a website that provides real-time transparency, decreasing the need to travel to the location of each mold.
The article comes from China injection mold manufacturer - Mold Best Assurance Company Limited, website is www.mbamoldanddesign.com
