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Recent Patents on Mechanical Engineering 2019, 12, 000-000 1

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Choice and Exchange of Lubricating Oil for Injection Molding Machine

Shan Syedhidayat1, Quan Wang1,＊, Al-Hadad M.A.A. Mohsen1 and Jinrong Wang1

1
National Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Oriented Automobile Die & Mold, Tianjin
University of Technology and Education, Tianjin 300222, P.R. China

  Abstract: Background: One of the most common manufacturing equipment for polymer product is
injection molding machine. In order to ensure the precise, stable and continuous operation of the injec-
tion molding machine, the maintenance of the lubrication system must be done well. The stability, reli-
ability, rationality and low noise performance of the lubrication system of injection molding machine
directly affect the quality of injection products, dimensional accuracy, molding cycle, working envi-
ronment and maintenance.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to introduce the methods of choice, maintenance of lubricating
oil for injection molding machine from many literatures and patents in the recent years, such as lubri-
cating oil device, lubricating composite and structure.
A R T I C L E H I S T O R Y  
Methods: An example of the 260M5 automatic injection molding machine is introduced for the inspec-
tion and maintenance of the lubrication system including lubricating oil and lubricating grease.
Received: September 07, 2018
Revised: May 19, 2019
Accepted: June 24, 2019 Results: To ensure the lubrication of the injection molding machine, it needs to strictly observe the
lubrication time and modulus of the injection molding machine. It needs to strictly control the tempera-
DOI:
10.2174/2212797612666190730145515   ture rise of the lubricating oil and select the correct lubricating oil and grease to ensure the lubrication
quality.
Conclusion: In the operation of the injection molding machine, it is necessary to check that the lubricat-
ing oil is sufficient and the lubricating points are working properly. It ensures sufficient lubrication of
the injection molding machine and strictly observes the lubrication time and modulus of the injection
molding machine. The stored lubricating oil should be sealed well to prevent air pollution.  
Keywords: Choice, exchange, friction, grease lubrication, hydraulic system, injection molding machine, lubricating oil.

1. INTRODUCTION motion of the mechanical equipment, but also the function

Lubricating oil is added between the two contact surfaces
in order to reduce friction, wear and prolong the service life
of mechanical equipment. It also has cooling, antirust, seal-
ing and shock absorption effects [1, 2]. This is becoming
more and more important for higher pressure and faster
speed of hydraulic equipment. The reliability, accuracy and
flexibility of the lubrication systems are largely dependent
on the selection and replacement of the lubricating oil in
addition to the design and performance of the lubricating
elements [3, 4].
Injection molding machine is generally composed of in-
jection mechanism, clamping mechanism, heating systems,
cooling systems, hydraulic and electrical systems [5-7]. In
the process of injection molding, the injection molding ma-
chine not only has the rotation, straight line and spiral
transfer of the hydraulic equipment, and the heat energy
conversion of the electric heating device [8-10]. In order to
ensure the precise, stable and continuous operation of the
injection molding, the quality of injection products, dimen-
sional accuracy, molding cycle, working environment and
maintenance are directly affected by the maintenance of the
lubrication system [11-13]. For lubrication of injection mold-
ing machine, we can follow the general rules of mechanical
equipment, hydraulic equipment and electric heating equip-
ment lubrication according to the movement mode [14-20],
such as circulating lubrication of clamping mechanism and
special anti-wear hydraulic oil. However, few studies have
been reported about lubricating oil of injection molding ma-
chine [21]. The methods of choice and maintenance of lubri-
cating oil for injection molding machine were introduced in
the paper.

*Address correspondence to this author at National Local Joint Engineering

Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Oriented Automobile Die & Mold,
Tianjin University of Technology and Education, Tianjin 300222,
P.R. China; Tel: +86-22-28121670; Fax: +86-22-88181083;
E-mail: wq2001126@163.com
2. MATERIALS & METHODS
The lubricating oil is an integral part of the injection
molding machine. The choice of lubricating oil for injection
molding machine is generally adopted in three ways: 1) ac-

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2 Recent Patents on Mechanical Engineering 2019, Vol. 12, No. 00
cording to the brand purchase recommended by the equip-
ment supplier; 2) according to the users of the same kind of
equipment; 3) according to the experience of the user itself.
Therefore, when the lubricating oil is purchased, the data of
additives in lubricating oil need to know, which relate to the
wear of the system and the prolongation of working life.
The following simple methods can be used to identify the
quality of lubricating oil.
(1) The slender tube can be used (for example, stainless
steel tube) to extract oil from the bottom of the barrel
and observe whether the appearance of the oil has impu-
rities, moisture or turbidity.
(2) The viscosity of lubricating oil is accurate according to
judging from experience. For example, if the lubricating
oil is white, it is usually caused by the influent of the
fuel tank. If the lubricating oil becomes dark, it may be
due to external impurities that enter the oil tank or oil
deteriorated or beyond the oil changing period or ma-
chine parts wear out.
The lubricating oils recommended for injection machines
are TONNAT68 of SHELL Company, VACTRA OIL
HEAVY MEDIUM of MOBIL Company, M ILLCORK150
or TERESS068 of ESSO Company, HYDROSO100 of
FEOSO Company. The lubricating oil model N220 made in
China is used in South China and the model N100 is used in
North China. The recommended grease is lithium grease.
The following points should be noted in the storage of
lubricants.
(1) The oil bucket must be stored on the wooden floor.
(2) The barrel of oil must be closed tightly. If possible, the
barrel needs to cover used waterproof paper.
(3) The oil container needs to avoid direct sunlight.
(4) The temperature of the oil storage is not more than
40°C.
●-Oil lubrication
Fig. (1). Schematic diagram of lubrication for the injection molding machine.
Syedhidayat et al.
The modern injection molding machine has high automa-
tion, stable performance, electrical and hydraulic interlock-
ing protective devices with high accuracy and complex struc-
ture. The general minicomputer is adopted for constant resis-
tance lubrication system, while a large model machine is
adopted for the quantitative lubrication system. The lubrica-
tion of the injection machine can be followed by the general
rule of mechanical equipment, hydraulic equipment and elec-
tric heating equipment. But some components need to be
considered synthetically, such as injection parts and gear-
boxes. A mixed lubrication method of the injection molding
machine is shown in Fig. (1).
2.1. Lubrication of Injection Mechanism
The function of the injection mechanism is to melt resins
by the electric heating ring. The plastic injection molding is
a cyclic process. It begins with feeding the resin and the ap-
propriate additives with polymer material from the hopper to
the heating system of the injection molding machine. Then,
the mold cavity is filled with the hot polymer melt. After the
cavity is filled, the additional polymer melt is packed into
the cavity at a higher pressure during the packing stage to
compensate the expected shrinkage when the polymer solidi-
fies. This is followed by cooling stage” where the mold is
cooled until the part is sufficiently rigid to be ejected. The
last step is the ejection stage where the mold is opened and
the part is ejected. Then, the mold is closed again to begin
the next cycle. The injection mechanism has more frequent
movement and electric heating device. It is necessary to
strictly execute the lubrication system. The main lubricating
parts are as follows:
(1) The model L-AN46 of lubricating oil is added to the
injection seat and rail surface. The moving rail is usually
made of cast iron. Because the speed of the guide rail is
not quick, mineral lubricating oil can guarantee certain
boundary oil film. After gently touching the guide rail
surface, the oil stains can be seen.
★-Grease lubrication
Choice and Exchange of Lubricating Oil for Injection Molding Machine
(2) The lubricating oil is added on the bottom guide surface
of the gearbox. Any breakdown of the gearbox will af-
fect the quality of the machining. A uniform and reliable
lubricating oil film should be guaranteed by the straight
gear. The oil cup and the spatter lubrication method can
be used to meet the lubrication requirements.
(3) The gas grease is added in the center of rotation, about
0.3L.
(4) The lubricating oil is added on the transmission gearbox,
about 10L.
2.2. Lubrication of Shifting Mold Mechanism
The hydraulic driving force is used in shifting mold
mechanism. It has a simple structure, reliable action and few
lubrication points for direct pressure filling device. The main
purpose is to ensure formed lubricating oil film in four guide
pillars, which can be lubricated through oil cup and rope.
Most of the automatic hydraulic injection machine is driven
by motors. When lubrication is carried out, the motor should
be lubricated according to the requirements.
2.3. Lubrication of Clamping Mechanism
The hinged clamping mechanism is mainly composed of
mold carrier, toggle-connecting rod, adjusting mold device
and three platens. The method of lubrication for clamping
mechanism is combined by the lubricating oil and grease.
The intermittent lubrication is applied in a long hinge, hook,
small hinge, connecting pin shaft and slide block of moving
platen. The lubrication system consists of pumps, distribu-
tors, oil pipes and other auxiliaries. The sleeve of the moving
platen, pull rod, limit bearing of the contact surface, and the
gear of adjusting mold are lubricated by grease (general lith-
ium base grease). Because the friction of ball screw and nut
is small, oil film is easy to be squeezed. The mode L-AN46
oil is used through oil cup and rope.
Usually, the surface is plated with hard chrome parts,
such as a pull rod and cross-head guide. All cylinder and
piston rods should carefully clean in order to not damage the
surface quality of seal or chromium plating layer. A layer of
lubricating oil should be applied after cleaning.
For equipment with a centralized lubrication system, the
oil storage volume in the lubricating pump should be
checked. For example, if the amount of lubricating oil is in-
sufficient, the quantity should be increased. In the future, we
should make a close inspection of the appropriate amount of
oil storage. In order to ensure the good operation of the
equipment, the oil can be added into the tank after filtering
and added through the air filter or the oil filter car. The hy-
draulic oil of different products cannot be mixed so that the
hydraulic oil will be deteriorated.
3. RESULTS & DISCUSSION
It is necessary to check lubrication regularly for an injec-
tion molding machine. Each lubrication time must be long
enough to ensure the lubrication of all moving points. The
lubricating modulus (interval time) and time of each lubrica-
tion are realized by a reasonable setting. The machine has
been properly set up before it leaves the factory, but the lu-
Recent Patents on Mechanical Engineering 2019, Vol. 12, No. 00 3
bricating modulus users can make some changes according
to the actual situation. In general, the lubrication modulus is
set less in six months. The mainframe set is less and the
minicomputer is set more. The time of the quantitative pres-
sure lubrication is actually the time of the lubrication alarm.
It is suggested that each time of the lubrication can be set up
properly, and there is enough time to ensure the pressure
relay to avoid the false alarm caused by the short time of the
lubrication. Grease on bearings and moving surfaces are no
longer an effective lubricant. It is polluted and deteriorated
by water, steam and dust in the air. If the grease becomes
black and hardened, it should be erased and the part should
be re-lubricated to ensure rotated and slid mechanism. The
working conditions of the lubricating system need to be ob-
served regularly and kept the lubricating oil at a reasonable
oil level. If lubrication is found in ordinary times, lubrication
should be timely, and the working conditions of each lubri-
cating point should be checked to ensure that the machine is
well lubricated.
The following is an example of the 260M5 (Max clamp-
ing force is 2600kN, made in China) automatic injection
molding machine of the Plastic Machinery Co., Ltd. in order
to introduce the inspection and maintenance of the lubrica-
tion system. The injection machine lubrication system is
shown in Fig. (2).
3.1. Program of Lubrication
(1) Checking the time of lubricating oil filling and the alarm
times are set in accordance with the "set table of the lu-
brication output and alarm time in the recommended
computer" in the lower part of the computer panel.
(2) For the setting of the lubricating modulus, the value 500
for some customers is unreasonable. The minimum lu-
brication every hour is required, and the modulus m can
be calculated according to the product molding cycle
time.
m = 3600/t (1)
Where t is the cycle time(s).
(3) The lubricating oil is selected in accordance with na-
tional standard GB5903-86 of machinery oil. The lubri-
cating oil can choose model N150 oil in south China,
and N100 oil in north China.
(4) The grease can choose 0# - 1# lithium or molybdenum
disulfide grease.
(5) The lubricating oil is not allowed to use the lubricating
oil tank of waste lubricating oil.
(6) It needs to check whether every lubricant contact has oil
leakage and distributor is invalid.
3.2. Maintenance of Lubrication
The manual or automatic central lubrication device is
used for the clamping system, at the same time it is a dry oil
cup on other necessary kinematic pair. The lubricating vol-
ume of the automatic central lubricating device is adjusted
by setting time. The injection molding machine is measured
on each indicator. If the fixed screw is loosened in a rotating
flow control lever, the amount of oil supply can be adjusted.
4 Recent Patents on Mechanical Engineering 2019, Vol. 12, No. 00
Fig. (2). Lubricating diagram of the injection molding machine.
The indicator will show the output value of the oil. For a
manual lubricant, a proper lubricant is injected, and then the
handle is pulled several times before starting so that all lu-
bricating oil pipes are filled. When the injection machine is
operated normally, the signs next to the lubricating device
must follow and pull the handle every 0.5 to 2 hours.
In all areas of relative motion, such as two guide rods of
the platform, the bearing assembly near the motor, and the
gliding feet of the movable platen, the dry oil cups are set up.
The grease of thread part of mold adjustment should be
coated. The four guide pillars should be kept clean and oil
film is adhered. After the injection molding machine works
for 3000 to 4000 hours, the lubricating grease in the bearing
assembly near the hydraulic motor should be replaced.
Firstly, the closed screws under the combination are twisted
out so that the old grease can flow out, then the grease is
used to press the fresh grease cup into the dry oil cup by
grease gun. There is a small nameplate on the frame of the
tail platen of the clamping system. It indicates that the plug
should be loosened regularly to let the excess lubricating oil
flow out in order to keep the machine clean.
CONCLUSION
In the operation of the injection molding machine, it is
necessary to check that the lubricating oil is sufficient and
the lubricating points are working properly. It ensures suffi-
Syedhidayat et al.
cient lubrication of the injection molding machine and
strictly observes the lubrication time and modulus of the
injection molding machine. It strictly controls the rising
temperature of the lubricating oil and selects the correct lu-
bricating oil and grease to ensure the lubrication quality. The
stored lubricating oil should be sealed well to prevent air
pollution.
CURRENT & FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The paper has researched choice and exchange of lubri-
cating oil for injection molding machine. Many problems
need to be studied further. A high-performance lubricating
oil needs to be developed to extend lubricating time and
wide lubricating condition. The lubricating efficiency of in-
jection molding machine needs to be improved. Meanwhile,
it is necessary to expand the application of self-lubricating
devices and systems for injection molding machine.
CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION
Not applicable.
AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current
study are available from the corresponding author on re-
quest.
Choice and Exchange of Lubricating Oil for Injection Molding Machine
FUNDING
The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the
Training Plan for Young and Middle-Aged Talents in Tianjin
Universities of China (Grant No. RC180202) and the Devel-
opment Fund of Tianjin University of Technology and Edu-
cation (Grant No. KJ1907).
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare no conflict of interest, financial or
otherwise.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Declared none.
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