Proper safety signage can aid operators and other nearby people during the operation and maintenance activities on a plastic injection molding machine. Some of the common signs that are integrated on the injecting molding machines include warning signs, prohibition signs and mandatory action signs which are compliance with common relevant industry standards and practices. Modern technologies such as intelligent and digital systems can be incorporated to sign safety symbols, texts and colors for cutting edge injection molding machines.
The design processes some preliminary checking through regulations regarding functionality along with further verification through routine maintenance procedures accompanied by user suggestions that focus around reliability ensuring its robust performance through upkeep to offer proactive changes based on suggestions from users for ongoing improvements post implementation as opposed to pre initiative concerns addressing ongoing adjustments offers sturdy resilience towards relevant standards monitoring performance checkpoints processed feedback. This enhances the safety measures taken for the machines along with limiting emergency chances focused efforts of automation remove possible human errors ensuring minimized risks system controlled actions instead of manual manual actuations reduce chances or incidents.
In this blog, we will introduce injection molding machine safety standard and signs of mechnical safety, electrical safety, heat hazard protection and so on. You will know how to operate, recognize and follow these safety signs. In order to protect injection molding machine operators safety and avoid any accidents.
Mechanical safety requirements
Mechanical safety devices for injection molding machine include interlocking guards, mechanical locking devices, emergency stop buttons, and so on.
According to GB 22530-2008, “Safety Requirements for Rubber and Plastic Injection Molding Machines”, injection molding machines should have safety requirements to prevent upper and lower limbs from touching dangerous areas, as well as minimum spacing to prevent body parts from being squeezed. In addition, mechanical protection, hydraulic protection, and electrical protection should also be included.
Safe distance
According to the safety standards in the Machinery Directive (MD), injection molding machines need to set three safety distances:
- The safe distance to prevent upper limbs from touching the danger zone is achieved by setting up protective structures or safety doors.
- Safe distance to prevent lower limbs from touching the danger zone: set up safety doors or collision barriers to prevent lower limbs from touching the danger zone.
- The minimum distance to avoid squeezing of various parts of the human body: ensuring the safety of operators by setting the closing distance of safety doors and protective structures.
Emergency stop function
The emergency stop function is an important component of the safe operation of injection molding machines. According to GB 25491 and ISO 20430 standards, injection molding machines must have an emergency stop function that can immediately cut off power in the event of an accident to prevent further injury.
Safety door and safety lock
Safety doors and locks are important devices to prevent personnel from entering hazardous areas. According to GB 22530-2008 and ISO 20430 standards, the locking and injection areas of injection molding machines must be equipped with safety doors and locks to prevent personnel from entering hazardous areas during machine operation. When the safety door is opened, the hydraulic power source for the mold closing action should be cut off to ensure safety.
safety control circuit
The safety control circuit is an important component to ensure the safe operation of the injection molding machine. According to GB 25491 and ISO 20430 standards, safety control circuits should use technologically mature components and be able to withstand the expected operating intensity and external environmental influences. In addition, the safety control circuit should have fault detection and fault isolation functions to ensure that the power can be cut off in a timely manner when a fault occurs.
Injection molded signs
Injection molded signs are a type of sign product manufactured through the injection molding process. They usually made of plastic materials with high precision and consistency. These signs can have different designs and functions, such as warning signs, instruction signs or decorative signs, and are widely used in commercial, industrial and public areas.
Electrical safety requirements
The electrical system of the injection molding machine should comply with relevant safety standards to ensure that no safety accidents will occur due to electrical failures during operation.
Electrical safety signs
They use to identify potential electrical hazards, such as the risk of electric shock. These signs should be made of durable materials, with colors and shapes that meet regulatory requirements. The letters should be large and clear for easy identification in low light or dark environments. In addition, warning signs should be placed in areas where electrical equipment poses atypical safety risks or is related to low-voltage systems, as well as on all doors leading to distribution rooms, control rooms, and electrical rooms.
Safety circuit requirements
The safety circuit of the injection molding machine must meet the following requirements:
- Cannot start suddenly after emergency stop: After the emergency stop is released, the machine cannot start immediately to prevent accidental operation.
- Cut off power in case of safety circuit failure: If the safety circuit fails, the power must be cut off to prevent the machine from operating in an unsafe state.
- Cannot restart in case of safety circuit failure: In the event of a safety circuit failure, the machine cannot be restarted to ensure the safety of the operator.
Application of safety relays
Safety relays play a crucial role in injection molding machines, ensuring that the machine operates under safe conditions. For example, when the safety protection door is closed and confirmed, the contact point is closed; If the safety protection door is not closed or confirmed, the contact point will be disconnected.
Heat hazard protection
The injection molding machine generates extremely high temperatures during operation, especially in the areas of the barrel, nozzle, and mold. These high-temperature areas may cause serious burns or scalds to operators. For example, High temperature, the surface may be very hot, do not touch. When working near this area, personal protective equipment must be worn. Otherwise, serious injury may occur
These high-temperature areas are typically generated by molten plastic, hydraulic systems, and heating elements.
Safety signs and warnings
In order to remind operators of thermal hazards, obvious safety signs are usually installed on injection molding machines.Two common warning signs are described:
High temperature warning sign
There are three wavy lines inside the yellow triangle, indicating high surface temperature and reminding operators not to touch it.
Warning sign for high-pressure molten materials
There is an exclamation mark inside the yellow triangle, reminding operators to maintain a safe distance and wear protective equipment during blowing and maintenance
Cooling and isolation in high-temperature areas
In order to further reduce thermal hazards, the design of injection molding machines should include cooling systems and isolation measures. It is mentioned that the hazards of injection molding machines are mainly concentrated in the mold clamping area, injection nozzle area, and feed inlet area, which may cause mechanical or heat source injuries to on-site personnel. Therefore, it is necessary to install safety fences and fixed protective devices.
Protective device requirements
The injection molding machine should be equipped with effective protective devices, such as safety doors and emergency stop buttons, to prevent accidents from quickly cutting off the power supply or shutting down the machine.
The safety protection device requirements for injection molding machines cover multiple aspects, including physical protection, electrical safety, mechanical protection, personnel training, and daily maintenance. By designing and installing these protective devices reasonably, the risks during operation can be effectively reduced, ensuring the safety of operators.
Wear protective face mask
According to the GB/T 22530-2022 standard, the injection molding machine should be equipped with a safety sign reading “Wear protective face mask” in the nozzle area or near the nozzle protective cover. The graphic symbol of this logo is a blue circle containing a white mask pattern, which complies with the ISO 7010:2019 standard, specifically M013. This sign should be installed in the nozzle area or near the nozzle protective cover to remind operators to wear a protective face mask during operation to prevent splashing or high-temperature components from causing injury to the face.
Lifting point signs
“Lifting point signs” should be installed in various areas of the machine, with the graphic symbol being a blue circle containing a white hook pattern. This symbol is used to identify the lifting points on the machine, ensuring that operators can recognize and correctly use the lifting points during handling or maintenance, and avoiding accidents caused by misoperation.
Operational safety tips
Obvious operation safety tips should be set in the operation area of the injection molding machine, including operation steps, precautions, and emergency treatment measures.
Maintenance and inspection signs
In order to ensure the long-term stable operation of the injection molding machine, maintenance, and inspection signs should be set on the machine to remind operators to regularly inspect and maintain the equipment.
Risk assessment and control measures
According to the FMEA method, the designer of the injection molding machine needs to identify potential risk factors and evaluate failure modes to mitigate these risks.
We are Haichen, one injection molding machines manufacturer for more than 10 years. We produce high-quality clamping units, which can ensure our injection molding machine improves production efficiency and injection precision.
By setting the above safety signs for injection molding machines, the operational safety of the injection molding machine can be effectively improved and the risk of accidents can be reduced.
From above aspects, we can know that safety signs are important tools for ensuring the safety of operators and nearby personnel during the operation and maintenance of plastic injection molding machines. According to relevant standards and industry norms, common safety signs on injection molding machines include warning signs, prohibition signs, instruction signs, and mandatory action signs. Recognizing these safety signs and using them correctly during actual machine operation can ensure the safety of operators.
