Right lubricants for injection moulding machines can boost plastic manufacturing processes

The Plastic industry in India has been one of the major contributors of growth and development for various sectors such as automotive, construction, electronics etc. Today, the plastic processing sector comprises over 30,000 units involved in producing a variety of items. It has gained notable importance in different spheres of activity with an increasing per capita consumption. India’s plastics consumption is expected to increase from about 12 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) as in 2016 to 20 MMTPA by 2020. India, by that time is expected to deploy about 180,000 machines as opposed to 113,000 in 2016. This growth has been fuelled by the wide usage of plastics in infrastructure, health care as well as in agriculture as opposed to its limited usage in household consumer durables and packaging earlier. The consumer market for automobiles and electronic goods – both major users of plastics – is also growing rapidly which would add to the growth of the industry.

To cater to such burgeoning demands, the industry depends on inevitable propellants of support such as Lubricants. Within the majority of plastic applications, hydraulic oils play a fundamental role in the actual production of plastic components as well as helping to reduce unscheduled downtime and extend oil drain intervals. Hence while accounting for a relatively small percentage of total maintenance spends, the latest hydraulic oils have the potential to induce additional productivity and performance into plastic manufacturing operations. Advancements in hydraulic oil technology now offer plastics manufacturers a selection of fluids that can help produce high quality components and provide outstanding levels of protection, as well as other benefits such as increased energy efficiency and decreased cycle times.

One of the most common plastic manufacturing processes is Injection moulding which is used to manufacture a variety of products varying greatly in size, complexity, and application. The process is highly complex as an injection moulding machine is a hydraulic, electrical, mechanical and other technologies, all put together in one device. Preventive maintenance is the key to achieving good performance, extended life and improved durability of injection moulding machines.
Choosing the right lubricant becomes crucial for preventive maintenance, to help increase the reliability and efficient functioning of the equipment and keep it contamination free.

Frequent filter plugging, hitches in servo valve, etcetera in plastic injection moulding machines can be overcome by timely inspection of the injection moulding machines’ and using right lubricants for maintenance.

Mobil™ industrial lubricants have a long and successful record of service in the plastics industry. Mobil’s complete line of hydraulic oils, gear and compressor oils, fluids, and greases are formulated to help keep your operation running efficiently so you stay competitive. The two major offerings Mobil has for the plastic industry are Mobil DTE™ 20 Series and Mobil DTE™ 10 Excel Series.

Mobil DTE 20 Series hydraulic oils have long been recognized for their keep-clean performance and durability, and have helped customers achieve long oil life. Mobil DTE 20 Series anti-wear hydraulic oils were developed with major equipment builders to meet the demanding requirements of high-pressure and high-output hydraulic systems as well as other components such as close clearance servo-valves and the high accuracy numerically controlled machine tools.

Mobil DTE 20 Series oils are formulated to provide the following benefits:

• Help reduce system deposits and wear
• Enable long oil and equipment life
• Help reduce maintenance costs
• Improve total hydraulic system performance

The Mobil DTE 10 Excel Series hydraulic oils provide outstanding hydraulic system efficiency; ultra keep clean performance, and a high degree of fluid durability. The hydraulic efficiency feature can lead to reduced energy consumption for both industrial and mobile equipment, reducing operating costs and improving productivity.

Mobil DTE 10 Excel Series oils are formulated to provide the following benefits:

• The excellent air release property prevents aeration and cavitation damage of the hydraulic pump. Help minimize maintenance costs and downtime by keeping systems clean
• Potentially reduces energy consumption or increase system responsiveness
• DTE 10 Excel is zinc free, therefore there’s less effect on the environment during disposal
• High thermal and oxidation stability ensures long oil life/long oil drain interval

High viscosity index provides excellent protection as it ensures good lubrication film thickness at high temperature environment Mobil™ Industrial lubricants have a successful track record of servicing the plastics industry. Mobil lubricants facilitate proper maintenance practices that help enhance hydraulic system performance, minimize maintenance costs and boost productivity.