Plastics Engineering

Sensor Products Inc. (Madison, New Jersey, USA) says that its new Mold-Align^® tool helps improve yields and reduce defects in the injection-molding process. When placed between mold halves, it instantaneously changes color to reveal how pressure is being distributed between the A&B halves of the mold. “With Mold-Align^®, the process is quick and simple,” the company says. “It is placed between platens on the parting line, which are then subjected to pressure upon clamp closing using minimal clamp tonnage. It is then removed and the image [is] inspected for pressure distribution and void spots. [Adjustments, if necessary, are then made] to the platens to achieve alignment, open vents or repair mold damage. Properly mating parting lines and aligned platens reduce machine wear and improve quality. Mold-Align^® may be archived and used as a control for comparative purposes.”