Today, many areas of production use such technology as plastic molding. Today it is one of the most commonly used materials in production and in everyday life. Processing and shaping of plastic parts is carried out using special equipment, one of which is a hydraulic press for plastics.
Hydraulic Press
One of the devices for this task was a hydraulic press for molding plastic. This equipment consists of several key elements. Among them are the cylinders of the device in which the liquid is located. Two substances can be used as a liquid - water or oil. Another important link in the whole design is the plunger. It ensures the operability of the entire device when processing the necessary raw materials. However, the operation of this part is also regulated and directly dependent on the pumps. In a hydraulic molding press, these pumps are the coordinators of the fluid pressure in the cylinders.
Press design
In addition to the above objects, two valves are included in the design of this machine. One of them performs a suction function, the other discharge. It is due to the operation of these valves in the plastic injection press that fluid is transferred from one cylinder to another. If we talk about plungers, then there are also two of them. The principle of operation of this device is, in principle, simple.
One of the two plungers carries out the process of distillation of fluid from one cylinder of a hydraulic press for molding plastic to the other. The distillation of the substance is carried out through a special pipeline. After the liquid is in the second cylinder, the second plunger enters the work. Also, during the distillation of the substance, that is, during the operation of the first plunger, only the injection pump works inside the machine. It closes only when the reverse stroke is made by the first plunger. During the closing of the discharge pump, a second suction pump opens, with the help of which the materials for molding plastic enter the second cylinder.
Press options
It is important to note that in a hydraulic machine, one of the pumps is the primary and the second auxiliary. The main pump of the device provides the desired pressure, which is approximately 300 kilograms per square centimeter. The second element is considered auxiliary and is designed to perform such a function as, for example, idling of the plunger. The pressure generated by the second pump in a plastic injection press is approximately 15 kilograms per square centimeter. The main purpose of such an auxiliary device is energy saving.
Drive types
Currently, hydraulic devices can be assigned to different classes depending on the type of drive they possess. These machines can be equipped with a group drive, which puts several machines into operation at the same time. And an individual drive can be installed that works exclusively with one installation. The first class of devices is most often used in large-scale industrial production, where many plastic injection machines are installed. The second type is established by smaller enterprises, the volumes of which are more modest.
It is important to note that currently hydraulic presses are fully automated machines that operate independently and do not require the use of manual labor. Most often, one operator can cope with the work on a hydraulic press. The duties of such an employee include only monitoring the pressure level in the machine, as well as monitoring the progress of all necessary plastic molding operations.
It should be added that the main indicators of the hydraulic press should be attributed only to the nominal force that the machine can exert. Most often, this indicator is equal to 1 thousand kN. The price of a hydraulic plastic injection molding press today is in the average range: from 250,000 thousand rubles to 4,000,000.
Plastic Equipment
A hydraulic press is not the only equipment that is suitable for the production of plastic products. There are quite a few plastic injection machines. The main ones are the following:
- vacuum forming equipment;
- equipment for threading plastic / plastic products;
- injection molding machine;
- thermoplastics foundry machines;
- equipment intended for the production of plastic packaging.
On the territory of the Russian Federation there are many engineering companies and factories that are engaged in the production and sale of such equipment. However, at some enterprises the equipment is idle. But it can be repaired and modernized for these purposes. The advantage is that you can buy such a product much cheaper than a completely new one.
Raw materials
With a material for molding plastic and plastic, the situation is not the best. The thing is that, regardless of the quality of the equipment, the manufacturer will not be able to get plastic and plastic of the same quality, even when using the same raw materials, but from different manufacturers. In order to move from one raw material to another, re-adjustment of all equipment, as well as the development of new technology will be required. It is costly both in time and in material means. The easiest way out in this situation will be to purchase the initial material from the same supplier.
Syringe and Hand Press
A syringe press for molding plastic (or a syringe oven) is suitable for casting smaller plastic parts. As a raw material for casting, you can use capron, polyethylene, polystyrene in granules or already finished products. It is important to note that before proceeding with plastic molding using a syringe press, it is necessary to dry all materials in an oven. Drying temperature should be from 80 to 90 degrees Celsius. It can be noted that the installation of this stove should be carried out on a foundation of an arbitrary type, but with a forward slope of 10 degrees. This must be done so that the molten mass can flow into a container located in front of the unit cylinder.
It is also worth noting that the use of a hand press for molding plastic is quite possible. But parts made by hand are distinguished by the fact that their service life is much shorter than that of parts manufactured at large industrial enterprises. Also, in order to independently cast a part from plastic using a press, you will have to buy or independently make a mold for casting the part.
Thus, you need to choose between the purchase of expensive equipment or start independent production. The volume and quality of the materials produced depend on the choice.