Safe start-up at the plastic machine

A machine that starts incorrectly costs wasted pieces at best and injury at worst. A fixed startup routine is what makes the difference between a seasoned operator and one who takes chances. Make it a habit to go through the checklist — even when you're busy.

§Before you turn on

• 01Check that shielding and gates are in place and working.
• 02Check that emergency stops are freely accessible and not blocked.
• 03Check that there is no tools or material where the machine moves.
• 04Check that correct tool and material are set up for this specific order.

§During heating.

Plastic must be heated to the right temperature before running. Wait for the machine to reach its temperature – running it too early gives poor parts and can stress the machine. Use the waiting time to prepare your workspace and check your protective equipment.

§The first parts

Run the first pieces and look carefully at them. Measure and evaluate them against the requirements before you set full speed. This is when you catch errors while it still costs little – not after a whole box has been run wrong.

§When it runs stably.

Only when the pieces are good and the machine runs stably do you go into normal production. Keep watch along the way and note the settings that worked – so the startup next time is both faster and safer.