A new, used or refurbished plastic injection molding machine should always be properly leveled before starting production.
Why Leveling Is Important
Injection molding is a precision process. The two halves of the mold must close evenly and remain properly aligned.
Proper leveling helps:
- Maintain consistent product quality
- Keep mold plates parallel
- Prevent flash
- Reduce mold damage
- Increase machine and mold life
What Happens If the Machine Is Not Level?
Poor leveling can cause:
- Flash on molded parts
- Dimensional errors
- Product defects
- Faster guide wear
- Mold damage
- Higher maintenance cost
Sometimes these problems are wrongly blamed on the mold, leading to unnecessary repairs and downtime.
Best Solution
Whenever a machine is installed, moved or replaced, check the level and use proper support such as:
- Leveling feet
- Leveling wedges
- Suitable machine mounts
Leveling wedges are often easier to adjust and provide better long-term support than basic shims.
Proper leveling improves product quality, machine stability and overall production performance.
