Plastic injection mold making forum?

**m_c** · 18-01-2014

The big issue is the power supply needed to run an injection moulding machine. Even a small industrial machine generally takes 10kw, which although is only roughly 40A on a single phase supply, they're all three phase machines, and doesn't take into the account the surge of the motor(s) starting/stopping, so you really need somewhere with a proper 3phase supply.
Which pretty much means there's a very small market for old secondhand machines, and the prices reflect that.

I am hoping to buy one soon, but need to get a suitable power supply first!

**Robin Hewitt** · 19-01-2014

Originally Posted by m_c

The big issue is the power supply needed to run an injection moulding machine.

I did it, I had the 3 phase socket installed and sat a 25 ton Arburg Allrounder in front. Turned on the heaters for a mo' to see if they got warm and put 6 units on the electricity meter. I love it

I keep trying to make a mould, you can get the bits from dmsdiemould or Bergers. I've been reading lots of stuff and I think I now know how a screw moulder works, it's more complicated than I first thought but not impossible.

If anyone else is bonkers enough to give it a go I think a separate section is a good idea because it could motivate me. OTOH, if it's only me, not interested.

There is a forum on plastics.com if you dig, but it's all funny handshakes, secret jargon and closed shops. You won't get any of the basics from there, ask them how to size a gate and they will cold shoulder you.

**dazza** · 19-01-2014

Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt

I keep trying to make a mould,

There is a forum on plastics.com if you dig, but it's all funny handshakes, secret jargon and closed shops. You won't get any of the basics from there, ask them how to size a gate and they will cold shoulder you.

ive tried to make a couple of moulds and scrapped em will have another bash at some point so if the sections up i will post as i go
.

i was on the forum you mentioned looking for advice and i couldnt have put it better,an unforgiving place for anyone trying to get into injection moulding,you be discouraged from pursueing the idea and advised to pay someone else to make the parts for you

why im here ive got an unopened 25kg bag of delrin p 500 if anyones interested cost £130 hardie polymers id take £50.

inventor tells me for the size of the parts i needed to mold, my little injector would not be capable of filling the mold with this stuff ,
so i took its word for it.

**Edmo117** · 02-11-2018

Hi out there in cyberspace

I used to have several moulding machines - small ones made by Austin-Allen and were single phase. OK for small parts. I sold the machines many years ago but now find that I need some moulding made using the tooling I made for the Austin-Allen machines.
If there is anyone out there who has any Austin-Allen machines and would like to make a few bob doing some moulding, please get in touch. I can promise you will be glad you did.

Cheers

**ian.curtis** · 29-03-2019

Hi, I know that D & E Plastics have two Austin-Allen machines, maybe it will help, or you could also contact anyone who sells one and ask if they are up to help, all the best!

**3DCompare** · 18-01-2019

Hi,

We can help you Injection Mold any product - message if interested!

We can also create the CAD files in-house with our team of engineers & product designers.

**dannyb** · 06-02-2017

Hi There just reading the posts on injection moulding and I have some old Austin Allen vertical or split line moulding machine . It has not been used for nearly twenty years but occasionally start the motor and operate the hydraulics to check it still works . I have the original manual and some tools.
It has a 12 ton clamping force and is in good condition may need some heater bands . I also have a small single phase granulator and would be willing to sell both for 1500 euro I am in ireland

**gavztheouch** · 19-01-2014

I have a good 3 phase power supply. I have a project in mind that requires a part with 5 living hinges :) So that is my motovation to build a tool myself to produce this specific part I have in mind.

My biggest stumbling block is I do not have a mill to make the mold, I think at a minimum I would need an old bridgeport interact converted to mach

**m_c** · 19-01-2014

Robin, I did wonder why we'd never heard anything more about your machine!
Might be worth posting up over on the HSM forum, as I've seen some quite knowledgable replies to mould queries, without none of the bullshit that the plastics.com forum seems to be full off.

My only purchase so far is a copy of Arburg's practical guide to injection moulding, which I picked up cheap of ebay, so I'm keen to hear about other people's ventures into the injection moulding world.

**gavztheouch** · 22-01-2014

Should we set up a new forum for small scale manufacturing/mold making? I have a hosting account and can set up a simple forum, but I don't want to do the moderating and new user sign ups by myself. Anyone wanna do this together?