TestOil knows that nearly all plastics manufacturers consider oil analysis an invaluable tool. Capital investment can exceed half a million dollars for an IMM (injection molding machine) and today’s highly calibrated machines are more easily damaged by wear and contamination.
A “well-oiled” IMM will exhibit:
- The fastest possible cycle speed
- Uneventful operation for long periods
- No unplanned downtime or major failures
- Zero or few rejectable parts
- Zero or low material waste
- Low energy costs
- Mold safeguards
- Long lifespan
IMM downtime and part rejection are issues that most plastics manufacturers have to contend with on a daily basis. The good news is that TestOil’s oil analysis can pinpoint issues before downtime and part rejection occur. Regular testing, coupled with a guaranteed same-day turnaround on results has the potential to eliminate downtime and dramatically reduce part rejection.
According to experts, hydraulic fluid contamination accounts for 80% of IMM problems and, despite the fact that antiwear additives account for less than 1% of typical hydraulic fluid, that protection is essential to maintaining the lubricant and thus machine health. Regular oil analysis with TestOil will detect contamination early and predict the remaining useful life of the fluid and its additives in order to avoid unnecessary expense and downtime.
IMM hydraulic fluid needs to resist oxidation, while protecting mechanical components from high pressure and high heat. On top of this, the fluid must provide this protection in the presence of aqueous condensation and environmental contaminants—a heavy burden for any fluid.
Given this, important properties for these IMM hydraulic fluids include:
- Viscosity
- Air release and foaming
- Thermal stability
- Hydrolytic stability
- Filterability
At TestOil, we know that oil analysis needs to take place with sufficient frequency to protect the machinery. While the frequency varies from machine to machine, TestOil recommends that the following tests be conducted at regular intervals to assess the important properties listed above:
- Viscosity
- Water content
- Particle count
- Ferrous wear concentration
- Metals
- Additives
- Oxidation
- Acid number/Base number
With 30 years of experience, TestOil is one of the most trusted oil analysis providers for the plastics industry, offering such valuable services as guaranteed same day oil analysis with CLS certified analysts, onsite testing, online program management, machinery criticality assessment and oil analysis program assistance. Contact TestOil now to get started: call 216-251-2510 or email sales@testoil.com
