Operating plastic injection moulding machines
URN: SEMMPF260
Business Sectors (Suites): Materials Processing and Finishing Suite 2
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on:
30 Mar 2020
Overview
| This standard identifies the competences you need to produce components by plastic injection moulding, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be expected to confirm with the authorised person, such as your immediate supervisor, that the equipment is ready for the injection moulding operations to be performed and that all the required materials and consumables are available. You will be expected to check that the mould tools are free from any damage that could impair the quality of the mouldings produced and that all services required to operate the machine are fully operational. You will be required to operate the injection moulding machine, in line with safe working practices and approved procedures, continuously monitoring the moulding operations and where necessary, making minor adjustments or seeking help from the authorised person to make the required adjustments, in order to ensure that the work output is to the required quality. Meeting production targets will be an important issue and your production records must show consistent and satisfactory performance. Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the plastic injection moulding activities undertaken and to report any problems with these activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work to instructions, with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your actions and for the quality of the work that you carry out. Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work and will enable you to adopt an informed approach to applying injection moulding procedures. You will understand the plastic injection moulding process and its application and will know about the equipment, materials and consumables, in adequate depth to provide a sound background for carrying out the activities, recognising and reporting moulding defects and ensuring that completed components are to the required specification. You will understand the safety precautions required when operating the plastic injection moulding machines and when using the associated tools and equipment. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout. You will also understand your responsibilities for safety and the importance of taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others in the workplace. |
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
| 1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, directives and other relevant guidelines 2. follow work instructions and specifications for operating plastic injection machines follow the drawings and related specifications for producing components 3. obtain and prepare the appropriate tools, equipment and materials 4. carry out the moulding using the correct methods and techniques 5. produce components to the required specification 6. check that all the required operations have been completed to specification 7. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved 8. ensure that work records are completed, stored securely and available to others, as per organisational requirements 9. leave the work area in a safe condition on completion of the activities, as per organisational and legal requirements |
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
| 1. the specific safety precautions to be taken whilst carrying out the activities (including any specific legislation, regulations or codes of practice relating to the activities, equipment or materials) 2. the health and safety requirements of the work area and the activities, and the responsibility these requirements place on you 3. the hazards associated with the activities, and how to minimise them and reduce risks 4. the personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) to be worn during the activities 5. the importance of keeping the work area clean and tidy 6. how to obtain and interpret the production documentation required during the plastic injection moulding activity 7. how raw materials are loaded or fed to the injection moulding machine 8. the basic principles of the operation of plastic injection moulding machines 9. how to ensure that there are sufficient raw materials available to carry out the moulding operation 10. the checks to be made on the machine and mould tooling, before moulding commences 11. the importance of monitoring the equipment settings during the plastic injection moulding process 12. the types of adjustment that can be made to equipment settings to maintain component quality 13. how to identify plastic injection moulding faults (including flashing, short shot, distortion, burning and colour deviation) 14. the basic quality checks to be carried out on plastic injection moulded components 15. the importance of keeping moulding surfaces clean 16. the importance of completing the production documentation throughout the injection moulding process 17. the problems that can occur during the plastic injection moulding activities, and how they can be minimised 18. the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve 19. how to access, use and maintain information to comply with organisational requirements and legislation |
Scope/range
Scope Performance
| 1. Operate plastic injection moulding machines, carrying out all of the following: 1. use the correct issue of production documentation (job instructions, drawings, specifications) 2. adhere to health and safety regulations, systems and procedures to realise a safe system of work 3. confirm with the authorised person that the machine tool is ready for carrying out the moulding operations 4. seek any necessary instructions or training on the operation of the moulding machine 5. follow the defined operating procedures ensure that the equipment settings are adjusted (either by yourself or the authorised person) to maintain the correct customer specification 6. leave the work area in a safe and clean condition 2. Carry out all of the following checks before moulding commences: 1. check that the correct mould tool is located in the machine, and is complete, clean and free from damage 2. ensure that mould surfaces are clean and free from damage 3. check that secondary mould tool components are clean and free from damage 4. confirm all moulding settings (temperature, pressure, speed/time, distance) 5. check that component delivery/collection mechanisms are working correctly (robots, conveyors, separators and collection chutes) 6. ensure that all guards, screens and safety mechanisms are in place and in good working order 7. check that all services are connected and that all connections are in good order (water, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic) 8. check that all machine controls are operational 3. Produce plastic injection mouldings, using one of the following types of mould tools: 1. two-plate tools 2. split tools 3. three-plate tools 4. unscrewing tools 5. combination/composite tools 4. Produce plastic injection mouldings from one of the following types of material: 1. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) 2. polystyrene 3. nylon 4. polyethelene 5. polycarbonate 6. acetal 7. polypropylene 8. other specific material 5. Complete visual inspection and segregate mouldings into the all of the appropriate categories to: 1. mouldings which meet the required specification 2. mouldings which have defects 3. mouldings that require further investigation 6. Monitor the moulding operations, and make adjustments to the machine settings to deal with two of the following: 1. flashing 2. short shot 3. distortion 4. burning 5. colour deviation 7. Check plastic injection mouldings comply with one of the following quality and accuracy standards: 1. current industry standards or codes of practice 2. company standards and requirements 3. customer standards and requirements |
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Links To Other NOS
External Links
Version Number
2
Indicative Review Date
31 Mar 2023
Validity
Current
Status
Original
Originating Organisation
Semta
Original URN
MPF2.60
Relevant Occupations
Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Manufacturing Technologies, Process Operatives, Process, Plant and Machine Operatives
SOC Code
8115
Keywords
Engineering; manufacturing; processing; operating; machine; plastic; injection moulding; components; equipment; material