[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":618},["ShallowReactive",2],{"catalog:meta":3,"guides:page:\u002Finjection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens\u002Fmold-clamps:*":258,"guides:topics:platens:\u002Finjection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens\u002Fmold-clamps:path,title,short":471,"guides:page:\u002Finjection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens:diagram":484,"diagram:id:platen":486,"catalog:parts::MC-JM-04":609},{"categories":4,"machines":132,"zones":212,"totals":255},[5,35,59,122],{"id":6,"name":7,"slug":8,"description":9,"partCount":10,"subcategories":11},"EC","Electrical Components","electrical","Electrical systems and components for injection molding machines including heaters, thermocouples, servo motors, and controllers.",11,[12,17,22,27,31],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15,"partCount":16},"EC-CBC","Circuit Boards & Controllers","circuit-boards",4,{"id":18,"name":19,"slug":20,"partCount":21},"EC-CE","Connectors & Cables","connectors-cables",2,{"id":23,"name":24,"slug":25,"partCount":26},"EC-GEP","Servo Motors & Drives","servo-motors",1,{"id":28,"name":29,"slug":30,"partCount":21},"EC-HT","Heaters","heaters",{"id":32,"name":33,"slug":34,"partCount":21},"EC-SF","Safety Components","safety",{"id":36,"name":37,"slug":38,"description":39,"partCount":40,"subcategories":41},"HY","Hydraulic Components","hydraulic","Complete range of hydraulic system components including pumps, valves, motors, and pressure controls for injection molding machines.",14,[42,46,51,55],{"id":43,"name":44,"slug":45,"partCount":26},"HY-AU","Accumulators","accumulators",{"id":47,"name":48,"slug":49,"partCount":50},"HY-CV","Control Valves","control-valves",6,{"id":52,"name":53,"slug":54,"partCount":26},"HY-MO","Monitors & Gauges","monitors-gauges",{"id":56,"name":57,"slug":58,"partCount":50},"HY-PW","Pumps & Motors","pumps-motors",{"id":60,"name":61,"slug":62,"description":63,"partCount":64,"subcategories":65},"MC","Mechanical Components","mechanical","Mechanical parts and assemblies including barrels, screws, tie bars, bushings, platens, and clamping components.",42,[66,71,75,80,85,89,93,97,101,105,109,114,118],{"id":67,"name":68,"slug":69,"partCount":70},"MC-BC","Barrels & Cylinders","barrels-cylinders",5,{"id":72,"name":73,"slug":74,"partCount":16},"MC-SB","Screw Barrels & Seals","screws",{"id":76,"name":77,"slug":78,"partCount":79},"MC-TC","Tie Bars & Columns","tie-bars",7,{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83,"partCount":84},"MC-GZ","Bushings & Guides","bushings-guides",8,{"id":86,"name":87,"slug":88,"partCount":26},"MC-PP","Platens","platens",{"id":90,"name":91,"slug":92,"partCount":70},"MC-TL","Toggle & Links","toggle-links",{"id":94,"name":95,"slug":96,"partCount":21},"MC-CC","Clamping Components","clamping",{"id":98,"name":99,"slug":100,"partCount":21},"MC-GMP","Tools & Accessories","tools-accessories",{"id":102,"name":103,"slug":104,"partCount":21},"MC-ES","End Caps & Plates","end-caps",{"id":106,"name":107,"slug":108,"partCount":26},"MC-SR","Seals & Rings","seals-rings",{"id":110,"name":111,"slug":112,"partCount":113},"MC-JM","Joints & Mounts","joints-mounts",3,{"id":115,"name":116,"slug":117,"partCount":26},"MC-SG","Safety Guards","safety-guards",{"id":119,"name":120,"slug":121,"partCount":26},"MC-CR","Clamping Mechanism","clamping-mechanism",{"id":123,"name":124,"slug":125,"description":126,"partCount":113,"subcategories":127},"O","Other Components","other","Additional components including filters, cooling systems, lubrication parts, and other auxiliary equipment.",[128],{"id":129,"name":130,"slug":131,"partCount":113},"O-TC","Filters & Cooling","filters-cooling",[133,143,161,172,180,188,194,200,205],{"id":134,"name":135,"slug":134,"series":136,"partCount":142},"haitian","Haitian International",[137,138,139,140,141],"Mars Series (MA)","Jupiter Series (JU)","Zhafir Venus Series (VE)","Zhafir Zeres Series (ZE)","Zhafir Jeres Series (JE)",68,{"id":144,"name":145,"slug":144,"series":146,"partCount":160},"yizumi","Yizumi",[147,148,149,150,151,152,153,154,155,156,157,158,159],"A6 Series","A5-EU Series","A5-N Series","SKIII Series","DP Series","D1 Series","FF Series","FF-M Series","P Series","CG-P Series","VM Series","SPET Series","LSR Series",12,{"id":162,"name":163,"slug":162,"series":164,"partCount":171},"chen-hsong","Chen Hsong",[165,166,167,168,169,170],"JETMASTER MK Series","JETMASTER SVP Series","SUPERMASTER Series","EASYMASTER Series","SPARK Series","JETMASTER C2 Series",10,{"id":173,"name":174,"slug":173,"series":175,"partCount":179},"tederic","Tederic",[176,177,178],"NEO Series","D Series (Two-Platen)","DE Series (All-Electric)",0,{"id":181,"name":182,"slug":181,"series":183,"partCount":179},"borch","Borch",[184,185,186,187],"BU Series (Two-Platen)","BS-III Series (Servo)","BE Series (All-Electric)","BM Series (Multi-color)",{"id":189,"name":190,"slug":189,"series":191,"partCount":179},"log-machine","LOG Machine",[192,193],"LOG-SE Series","LOG-EE Series (All-Electric)",{"id":195,"name":196,"slug":195,"series":197,"partCount":179},"donghua","Donghua",[198,199],"DH Series (Servo)","DH-TP Series (Two-Platen)",{"id":201,"name":202,"slug":201,"series":203,"partCount":179},"sunbun","Sunbun",[204],"Sunbun Servo Series",{"id":206,"name":207,"slug":206,"series":208,"partCount":179},"lijin","L.K. Machinery (Lijin)",[209,210,211],"POTENZA Series","FORZA Series (Two-Platen)","ELETTRICA Series (All-Electric)",[213,217,221,225,228,231,235,238,242,248,251],{"id":214,"number":26,"name":215,"role":216,"partCount":21},"clamp-cylinder","Clamping cylinder","The hydraulic cylinder behind the rear platen. It drives the crosshead that straightens the toggle links, which opens and closes the mold and builds the clamping force.",{"id":218,"number":21,"name":219,"role":220,"partCount":50},"toggle","Toggle mechanism","Links, pins and bushings between the rear and moving platens. They multiply the force of the clamping cylinder and lock the mold shut while plastic is injected.",{"id":222,"number":113,"name":223,"role":224,"partCount":113},"ejector","Ejector","A small cylinder behind the moving platen that pushes the ejector rods and plate forward to release the finished part from the mold.",{"id":78,"number":16,"name":226,"role":227,"partCount":40},"Tie bars & bushings","Four steel columns that join the platens, guide the moving platen and carry the clamping force. Tie bar nuts lock them in place; bushings guide the moving platen along them.",{"id":88,"number":70,"name":229,"role":230,"partCount":21},"Platens & mold plates","The fixed and moving platens carry the two halves of the mold; the rear platen anchors the toggle. Locating rings and clamping plates center and hold the mold.",{"id":232,"number":50,"name":233,"role":234,"partCount":50},"barrel-screw","Barrel, screw & nozzle","The screw turns inside the heated barrel to melt and mix the plastic, then moves forward to inject it through the nozzle into the mold. The screw tip and check ring stop melt from flowing back.",{"id":30,"number":79,"name":236,"role":237,"partCount":113},"Heater bands & sensors","Heater bands around the barrel and nozzle melt the plastic. Thermocouples measure each heating zone so the controller can hold the set temperature.",{"id":239,"number":84,"name":240,"role":241,"partCount":79},"injection-unit","Injection unit","Injection cylinders push the screw forward, the hydraulic (plasticizing) motor turns it, and the carriage moves the unit against the mold on its guide rails.",{"id":243,"number":244,"name":245,"role":246,"partCount":247},"hydraulics",9,"Hydraulic unit","The pump, motor, valves, accumulator, filters and oil cooler in the machine base. They supply and control the oil pressure for every movement of the machine.",16,{"id":8,"number":171,"name":249,"role":250,"partCount":244},"Electrical cabinet","The controller, I\u002FO and drive boards, servo drives, contactors and safety switches that run and protect the machine.",{"id":252,"number":10,"name":253,"role":254,"partCount":21},"feet","Machine feet","Leveling bolts and anti-vibration pads under the machine base that keep the machine level and stop vibration spreading to the floor.",{"parts":256,"subcategories":257},70,23,{"id":259,"title":260,"body":261,"description":443,"diagram":444,"extension":445,"faq":446,"item":459,"lastModified":460,"meta":461,"navigation":462,"order":16,"parts":463,"path":465,"seo":466,"seoTitle":467,"short":468,"stem":469,"__hash__":470},"guides\u002Finjection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens\u002Fmold-clamps.md","Mold clamps and T-slots for injection molding",{"type":262,"value":263,"toc":434},"minimark",[264,268,273,285,295,298,302,305,313,317,355,359,362,391,395,412,416],[265,266,267],"p",{},"Mold clamps for injection molding are steel clamping plates that hold each half of the mold against its platen. Each clamp is pulled down by a bolt that runs into a T-slot or a tapped hole in the platen; its front end presses on the flange of the mold's clamping plate and its back end rests on a support, the heel. The clamps stop the mold from moving while it opens, closes and ejects. The clamping force that keeps the mold shut during injection comes from the machine's clamp unit, not from the mold clamps.",[269,270,272],"h2",{"id":271},"t-slots-and-tapped-holes","T-slots and tapped holes",[265,274,275,276,280,281,284],{},"The platen face is machined with ",[277,278,279],"strong",{},"T-slots",", highlighted in the drawing, and a pattern of ",[277,282,283],{},"tapped holes",":",[286,287,288,292],"ul",{},[289,290,291],"li",{},"A T-slot takes a T-bolt or T-nut that can slide along it, so the clamp can be placed where the mold needs it.",[289,293,294],{},"Tapped holes take a bolt or stud directly, at fixed positions shown on the platen drawing.",[265,296,297],{},"Many platens have both. The lips of a T-slot carry the full force of the clamp bolt, so they can crack or spread if a bolt is overtightened, if a T-nut sits only partly in the slot, or if it is placed too close to the open end of the slot.",[269,299,301],{"id":300},"how-a-mold-clamp-works","How a mold clamp works",[265,303,304],{},"A strap clamp is a lever with three points: the mold flange at the front, the bolt in the middle and the heel at the back. The bolt pulls the clamp down, and its force is shared between the mold and the heel:",[286,306,307,310],{},[289,308,309],{},"The closer the bolt is to the mold, the larger the share of its force that presses on the mold.",[289,311,312],{},"The heel should be the same height as the mold flange or slightly higher, so the clamp is level or tilts slightly toward the mold. A clamp that tilts the other way presses on its edge and holds the mold poorly.",[269,314,316],{"id":315},"types-of-mold-clamps","Types of mold clamps",[286,318,319,325,331,337,349],{},[289,320,321,324],{},[277,322,323],{},"Plain strap clamps",", used with a separate heel block or support bolt.",[289,326,327,330],{},[277,328,329],{},"Step clamps"," with matching step blocks, so one clamp suits flanges of different heights.",[289,332,333,336],{},[277,334,335],{},"Adjustable clamps"," with a built-in heel screw.",[289,338,339,342,343,348],{},[277,340,341],{},"Mold clamping plates"," made to suit a particular machine or mold, such as the ",[344,345,347],"a",{"href":346},"\u002Fparts\u002Fmc-jm-04\u002F","mold clamping plates and locating rings"," we supply for Haitian MA and MA II series machines.",[289,350,351,354],{},[277,352,353],{},"Quick mold change systems:"," hydraulic or mechanical clamps fixed to the platen, and magnetic platens. They hold the mold without loose clamps and shorten mold changes, but need molds with suitable clamping plates.",[269,356,358],{"id":357},"clamping-a-mold-correctly","Clamping a mold correctly",[265,360,361],{},"Follow your setting procedure and the machine manual. Good practice is:",[363,364,365,368,376,379,382,385,388],"ol",{},[289,366,367],{},"Clean the platen faces and the mold's clamping plates, and remove any burrs.",[289,369,370,371,375],{},"Hang the mold, guide its ",[344,372,374],{"href":373},"\u002Finjection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens\u002Flocating-ring\u002F","locating ring"," into the platen bore and bring the fixed half flat against the stationary platen.",[289,377,378],{},"Clamp the fixed half with clamps on opposite sides of the mold, in the number your procedure or the manual specifies. Large and heavy molds need more clamps.",[289,380,381],{},"Place each bolt as close to the mold as the slot or hole pattern allows, set the heel height, and use bolts and washers of the grade the manual specifies.",[289,383,384],{},"Screw each bolt deep enough into the tapped hole or T-nut, as the manual specifies, and tighten all the bolts evenly to the specified value.",[289,386,387],{},"Close the machine slowly at low pressure so the moving platen meets the moving half, then clamp that half the same way.",[289,389,390],{},"Remove the crane and the mold's safety strap only when both halves are clamped, then open the mold slowly and check that nothing has moved.",[269,392,394],{"id":393},"signs-of-wear-or-a-poor-setup","Signs of wear or a poor setup",[286,396,397,400,403,406,409],{},[289,398,399],{},"A mold that moves, slips down or shifts on the platen during production, often seen as mismatch on the part or damaged guide pins.",[289,401,402],{},"Clamps that are bent or cupped, and bolts that are stretched, have damaged threads or keep working loose.",[289,404,405],{},"Cracked or spread T-slot lips, and burrs at the slot edges that stop the mold sitting flat.",[289,407,408],{},"Stripped threads in the tapped holes. A thread insert of the right size and strength can often repair them.",[289,410,411],{},"Clamps that hit the tie bars, the ejector rods or the safety guard: check the clamp size against the platen layout.",[269,413,415],{"id":414},"what-to-send-for-a-replacement-quote","What to send for a replacement quote",[265,417,418,419,423,424,428,429,433],{},"Send the machine brand and model; the clamp's length, width and thickness and the size of its slot or hole; the platen's T-slot width and tapped hole thread; the height of the mold flange you clamp; and a photo of the old clamp. ",[344,420,422],{"href":421},"\u002Frequest-quote\u002F","Request a quote",", and see the ",[344,425,427],{"href":426},"\u002Finjection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens\u002F","platens guide"," and the ",[344,430,432],{"href":431},"\u002Finjection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens\u002Fmoving-platen\u002F","moving platen"," page for the platen itself.",{"title":435,"searchDepth":21,"depth":21,"links":436},"",[437,438,439,440,441,442],{"id":271,"depth":21,"text":272},{"id":300,"depth":21,"text":301},{"id":315,"depth":21,"text":316},{"id":357,"depth":21,"text":358},{"id":393,"depth":21,"text":394},{"id":414,"depth":21,"text":415},"How mold clamps hold a mold on the platens of an injection molding machine, clamp types, T-slots and tapped holes, how to set a clamp correctly, and signs of wear.",null,"md",[447,450,453,456],{"question":448,"answer":449},"Why does a mold move on the platen?","Usually because the clamps are set badly: too few clamps, bolts too far from the mold, heels at the wrong height, or bolts not tightened to the specified value. Dirt or burrs between the mold and the platen, and worn T-slots, make it worse.",{"question":451,"answer":452},"Where should the bolt be on a mold clamp?","As close to the mold as possible. The nearer the bolt is to the mold flange, the larger the share of its force that presses on the mold rather than on the heel.",{"question":454,"answer":455},"What are T-slots used for on a platen?","T-slots take the T-bolts or T-nuts that hold the mold clamps. They let the clamps be placed anywhere along the slot to suit the size of the mold.",{"question":457,"answer":458},"What is the difference between mold clamps and clamping force?","Mold clamps hold each mold half on its platen. Clamping force is the much larger force that the machine's toggle or clamp cylinder applies to keep the mold shut during injection.","t-slots","2026-11-01",{},true,[464],"MC-JM-04","\u002Finjection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens\u002Fmold-clamps",{"title":260,"description":443},"Mold Clamps for Injection Molding: Types and T-Slots","Mold clamps and T-slots","injection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens\u002Fmold-clamps","D5zlXZR9VdrpwqlrGzdEgkK-szEdqa9wOsPbwNs5T7Y",[472,476,480],{"path":473,"title":474,"short":475},"\u002Finjection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens\u002Fmoving-platen","Moving platen and stationary platen of an injection molding machine","Moving platen",{"path":477,"title":478,"short":479},"\u002Finjection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens\u002Fplaten-parallelism","Platen parallelism of an injection molding machine","Platen parallelism",{"path":481,"title":482,"short":483},"\u002Finjection-molding-machine-parts\u002Fplatens\u002Flocating-ring","Locating ring in injection molding","Locating ring",{"diagram":485},"platen",{"diagram":487},{"title":488,"description":489,"items":490},"Parts of a platen","Line drawing of an injection molding machine platen in front view and side view, showing the tie bar bores, T-slots, tapped holes, center bore with locating ring, ejector holes and toggle lugs, numbered.",[491,504,529,540,559,580,595],{"id":485,"name":492,"role":493,"parts":494,"marker":496,"shapes":500},"Platen","Cast iron plate the mold half is bolted to. A toggle machine has three: the stationary platen at the injection side, the moving platen and the rear platen behind the toggle.",[495],"MC-PP-01",[497,498,497,499],464,24,50,{"solid":501},[502,503],"M104 50h252a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v252a4 4 0 0 1 -4 4h-252a4 4 0 0 1 -4 -4v-252a4 4 0 0 1 4 -4z","M442 50h44a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v256a2 2 0 0 1 -2 2h-44a2 2 0 0 1 -2 -2v-256a2 2 0 0 1 2 -2z",{"id":505,"name":506,"role":507,"parts":508,"marker":510,"shapes":513},"tie-bar-bores","Tie bar bores and bushings","The four tie bars pass through the corner bores. In the moving platen each bore has a bushing, so the platen slides along the bars without wear.",[509],"MC-TC-07",[511,498,511,512],140,66,{"solid":514,"line":519,"hidden":524},[515,516,517,518],"M116 90a24 24 0 1 0 48 0a24 24 0 1 0 -48 0z","M116 270a24 24 0 1 0 48 0a24 24 0 1 0 -48 0z","M296 90a24 24 0 1 0 48 0a24 24 0 1 0 -48 0z","M296 270a24 24 0 1 0 48 0a24 24 0 1 0 -48 0z",[520,521,522,523],"M123 90a17 17 0 1 0 34 0a17 17 0 1 0 -34 0z","M123 270a17 17 0 1 0 34 0a17 17 0 1 0 -34 0z","M303 90a17 17 0 1 0 34 0a17 17 0 1 0 -34 0z","M303 270a17 17 0 1 0 34 0a17 17 0 1 0 -34 0z",[525,526,527,528],"M440 66L488 66","M440 114L488 114","M440 246L488 246","M440 294L488 294",{"id":459,"name":279,"role":530,"parts":531,"marker":532,"shapes":536},"Slots across the platen face for the bolts of the mold clamps that hold the mold half in place.",[464],[533,498,534,535],190,176,120,{"solid":537},[538,539],"M109 120h242a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v6a1 1 0 0 1 -1 1h-242a1 1 0 0 1 -1 -1v-6a1 1 0 0 1 1 -1z","M109 232h242a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v6a1 1 0 0 1 -1 1h-242a1 1 0 0 1 -1 -1v-6a1 1 0 0 1 1 -1z",{"id":541,"name":542,"role":543,"marker":544,"shapes":547},"tapped-holes","Tapped holes","Threaded holes in a set pattern, for bolting the mold or its clamps straight to the platen.",[533,545,533,546],336,255.5,{"solid":548},[549,550,551,552,553,554,555,556,557,558],"M186.5 108a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 7 0a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 -7 0z","M186.5 252a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 7 0a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 -7 0z","M226.5 108a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 7 0a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 -7 0z","M226.5 252a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 7 0a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 -7 0z","M266.5 108a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 7 0a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 -7 0z","M266.5 252a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 7 0a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 -7 0z","M120.5 160a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 7 0a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 -7 0z","M120.5 200a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 7 0a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 -7 0z","M332.5 160a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 7 0a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 -7 0z","M332.5 200a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 7 0a3.5 3.5 0 1 0 -7 0z",{"id":560,"name":561,"role":562,"parts":563,"marker":564,"shapes":568},"center-bore","Center bore and locating ring","On the stationary platen the locating ring in this bore centers the mold on the nozzle. On the moving platen the bore lets the ejector rod through.",[464],[565,545,566,567],236,245,206,{"solid":569,"line":572,"hidden":577},[570,571],"M200 180a30 30 0 1 0 60 0a30 30 0 1 0 -60 0z","M435 150h4a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v58a1 1 0 0 1 -1 1h-4a1 1 0 0 1 -1 -1v-58a1 1 0 0 1 1 -1z",[573,574,575,576],"M212 180a18 18 0 1 0 36 0a18 18 0 1 0 -36 0z","M227.5 204a2.5 2.5 0 1 0 5 0a2.5 2.5 0 1 0 -5 0z","M206.71539030917347 168a2.5 2.5 0 1 0 5 0a2.5 2.5 0 1 0 -5 0z","M248.28460969082653 168a2.5 2.5 0 1 0 5 0a2.5 2.5 0 1 0 -5 0z",[578,579],"M440 162L488 162","M440 198L488 198",{"id":581,"name":582,"role":583,"parts":584,"marker":586,"shapes":589},"ejector-holes","Ejector holes","On the moving platen, extra holes for ejector rods that push the mold’s ejector plate at several points.",[585],"MC-ES-08",[587,545,588,567],282,280,{"solid":590},[591,592,593,594],"M174 160a6 6 0 1 0 12 0a6 6 0 1 0 -12 0z","M174 200a6 6 0 1 0 12 0a6 6 0 1 0 -12 0z","M274 160a6 6 0 1 0 12 0a6 6 0 1 0 -12 0z","M274 200a6 6 0 1 0 12 0a6 6 0 1 0 -12 0z",{"id":596,"name":597,"role":598,"subcategory":90,"marker":599,"shapes":602},"toggle-lugs","Toggle lugs","Lugs on the back of the moving and rear platens where the toggle links are pinned.",[600,545,600,601],504,294,{"solid":603,"line":606},[604,605],"M491 66h26a3 3 0 0 1 3 3v42a3 3 0 0 1 -3 3h-26a3 3 0 0 1 -3 -3v-42a3 3 0 0 1 3 -3z","M491 246h26a3 3 0 0 1 3 3v42a3 3 0 0 1 -3 3h-26a3 3 0 0 1 -3 -3v-42a3 3 0 0 1 3 -3z",[607,608],"M496 90a8 8 0 1 0 16 0a8 8 0 1 0 -16 0z","M496 270a8 8 0 1 0 16 0a8 8 0 1 0 -16 0z",[610],{"partNumber":464,"name":611,"subcategory":110,"subcategoryName":612,"shortDescription":613,"image":614,"inStock":462,"zone":88,"compatibleMachines":615},"Mold Clamping Plate \u002F Locating Ring","Mold Interface","Mold clamping plate and locating ring for injection molding machine platens.","\u002Fpart-images\u002FMC\u002FMC-JM-04\u002F1c14909c-5314-4154-98bb-30936336a906.png",[616,617],"Haitian MA Series","Haitian MA II Series",1793548980509]