Expanding your fabrication plant to include injection molded parts is a great way to expand your business and profits. However, if you know very little about injection molding, then you may feel like you are in the dark about the process. Thankfully, there are individuals who are trained and prepared to handle your new machines, and these people are called injection molders. Recruiters for injection molders can help you to find the right person for the job.

Safety is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to using injection molding equipment. If you are unfamiliar about these safety concerns, then keep reading to learn about a few issues that may arise so you know why it is best to work with a professional when it comes to hiring your molder.

Amputation Risks

Injecting molding is an extremely dangerous job that can leave workers without their fingers or limbs if they are not careful. An experienced and trained injection molder will know how to avoid all amputation risks. This means checking all of the guards on the machine to make sure they are properly positioned before plastics are melted and molded. These guards include the purge guard over the nozzle that keeps burns and splattering incidents at bay and the guard around the ejector and clamping parts of the unit that help to reduce crushing issues. The operator's gate and a guard at the part discharge also help to reduce injury concerns. 

Some guards are moveable, like the one over the ejector and clamp that allow for access to these parts. A good injection molder will know how to make sure that the guards are secured safely before the machine is started. Also, all immovable guards and devices that are supposed to be locked and secured before the machine can even be turned on will be checked over and secured. If a guard or safety device is broken, the injection mold machine may be functional. Injection molders know when this creates a dangerous situation and the machine needs to be shut down for maintenance purposes.

Burn Risks 

Burns are extremely common when injection molding machines are used. This is common if you use a hot runner system, regardless if external or internal heating processes are used. Molten plastic is extremely hot, and so is the final molded plastic part that is created. This often means that the molded part will need to cool down for some time before it is removed. While heat-resistant gloves are a mandatory part of the injection molder's uniform, burns can still happen if a product is removed from the machine too quickly. 

If you have small parts that need to be created in large runs, then cooling may be an issue for you. To increase production speeds, injection molders can set up and program robots to complete tasks like unloading of the machine after molding. Robots that allow labels and metal parts to be added to pieces before they cool can be programmed by injection molders as well. 

Understanding when a robot can add safety, speed, and precision is something that a good injection molder will be aware of. Connecting and disconnecting of robots to the top, side, or rear of the machine will also be part of the molder's job, so you are likely to experience less down time between jobs as well as runs.

If you have just started to explore injection molding in your manufacturing plant, then you need to make sure that you hire the right individual to carry out your molding jobs. Speak with a recruiter to help you locate and hire the right individual for your facility.