In Injection Molding, machine cleanliness is key to efficiency, defect reduction and equipment longevity. Purging Material for Injection Molding removes contaminants, color residue and degraded polymers. But how often should you use it? It depends on several factors, material type, production volume and color changes.
Routine Maintenance Purging
Using Purging Compound for Injection Molding regularly prevents contamination buildup and smooth operation. A good practice is to purge at start and end of each production shift. This removes residual material that could degrade and cause black specks or defects in the next run.
For 24/7 operations daily purging at shift changes is ideal. This prevents polymer degradation that can affect product quality over time.
During Color or Material Changeovers
Changing colors or resins without purging can cause streaks, contamination and waste. To avoid this:
- Purge every time you change colors to ensure the new color is consistent. Dark to light color transitions require more intense purging.
- Purge when switching resin types, especially when going from a high melt temperature material (e.g. polycarbonate) to a low melt resin (e.g. polypropylene).
Not Purging can result in defective parts and higher scrap rates.
After Machine Downtime
When an Injection Molding machine is idle for an extended period, plastic in the barrel can degrade. Using Purging Material for Injection Molding before production starts removes the degraded material and prevents defects in the first few production cycles.
For Preventive Maintenance
Beyond routine and changeover purging, scheduled deep cleaning is recommended. A full purge with Purging Compound for Injection Molding should be done:
- Weekly or bi-weekly for high volume production
- Monthly for lower volume production
- Whenever defects like black specks, gels or streaks appear
This proactive approach reduces downtime and improves production consistency.
Cost vs Benefit of Frequent Purging
Some manufacturers don’t purge frequently because of cost. But the cost of scrap, rework and machine downtime caused by contamination is often more than the cost of Purging Compounds. Investing in regular purging pays off in efficiency, better product quality and longer machine life.
Conclusion
The frequency of using Purging Material for Injection Molding depends on your production, material changes and machine usage. Whether for routine maintenance, material changeovers or preventive care, purging regularly keeps things smooth and cost effective.
For high quality Purging Compound for Injection Molding choose a trusted supplier and get better performance and long-term savings. Keep your machines clean, your production efficient and your output perfect with proper Purging.
