#plastics processing

SMARTFLOW® SWAP Valves and FasTie quick ejector systems reduce changeover time related to ejector tie-in and water line removal by up to 90%, increasing the uptime of plastics manufacturing machinery for plastics manufacturers.

When it comes to plastics manufacturing, speed is everything. Without the right tools, manufacturers can face lengthy gaps in production during changeovers, and more, decreasing profitability and productivity.

With tools such as SMARTFLOW, SWAP Valves and FasTie quick ejector systems, injection molders can dramatically reduce mold change time for faster, more efficient workflows.

FasTie Quick Ejector Tie-In Systems

A FasTie system quickly “ties in” the mold ejector plate to the press ejection system within an injection molding press, helping to increase the speed of changeovers.

Ejector tie-ins are notoriously difficult without ease of access where ejector tie-in takes place. FasTie systems mount directly to the machine, minimizing mold change time with an easy, cost effective setup. The system is available in three sizes (1-inch, 1-3/8-inch, and 2-inch) and is ideal for most injection molding machines. A FasTie system is accessible and compact, and easily installs into existing molds and ejector plates with no additional machining required.

Traditionally, ejector rods are manually installed in difficult-to-reach areas. With this setup, changeover time can be lengthy, which results in time that the molding machine is not productive. The FasTie system automates the connection between the machine and the mold, alleviating the need for manual ejector tie-in.

Depending on the machine and molds, the FasTie system can save injection molders up to 90% of the time they would otherwise have to spend on tying in their ejector systems.

SMARTFLOW SWAP Valves

SWAP valves are simple and manually selectable valves that supply both cooling water to the mold during processing, and air to purge the water from the mold before a mold change.

These valves tie directly to the water systems that cool the molds and, like FasTie, easily connect to your existing equipment. With SWAP valves, manufacturers don’t have to worry about making a mess when changing over lines that are full of water. Instead, the valves purge the water from the lines prior to unhooking. The entire process only takes 2-3 minutes before all hoses can be disconnected.

SWAP valves bring speed and cleanliness to your manufacturing operations, transforming a task that was once time-consuming and labor intensive into an automated operation. Draining lines can be both messy and unsanitary for the work environment, creating a risk of slip and fall accidents and other safety hazards. With SWAP valves, plastic molders can have peace of mind in a fast, secure and clean operation.

Reducing Downtime from the Ground Up

SWAP valves and FasTie systems can provide up to a 90% increase in efficiency, cutting downtime between changeovers to a fraction of what it used to be.

At Plastixs, we work closely with our clients to ensure the solutions they invest in are tailored to their exact needs. If you’re not sure which tools are right for you, contact us and we can help you identify the best products for your business.

Rust preventives ensure that your injection molds are protected while not in use. Vapor residue, trapped moisture – even a fingerprint – can invite rust and leave you with damage to an expensive mold if you’re not using the right rust preventive for your application.

With the most effective and broadest range of rust preventives on the market, SLIDE Products has the protection you need. That’s why we’ve been representing their expertly formulated line of products, including rust preventives, since 1989.

SLIDE has multiple rust preventives to choose from. At Plastixs, we can help you choose and use the best one for protecting your molds – and the significant investment you have in them.

Best Selling Rust Preventives

A Unique Formulation

Mold Shield (42910P) is SLIDE’s most popular rust preventive because of the unique, dry formula that protects against fingerprint acids and seals out condensation – there is no other rust preventive like it on the market.

Mold Shield goes on dry, leaving behind a coating of oils for ongoing protection. As a result, Mold Shield does not penetrate any part of the mold that will be difficult to clean. Most rust preventives go on wet and can bleed into ejector pins and other areas of the mold.

Mold Shield cleans up faster and easier than wetter rust preventive sprays. Mold Shield actually self-cleans during startup (first few cycles) as the mold is heating up and test shots are being injected.

Though it’s ASTM rated for up to two years, Mold Shield is also recommended for shorter shutdowns. Learn more >

The Legacy Formulation

No-Rust (40212M) is the second rust preventive formulation developed in 1950 and is just as effective at neutralizing fingerprint acid, displacing condensation and sealing mold from outside condensation. No-Rust provides up to five years of protection, making it effective for long-term storage, shipping and heavy coatings. Learn more >

The Red Tint

Quick RP Rust Preventive with Indicator Dye (42810RP) seals out condensation and neutralizes fingerprint acids. Quick RP’s unique capability stems from the red tracing dye that leaves behind a red tint when sprayed, for complete and uniform coverage. Quick RP also goes on dry and does not bleed into ejector pins and other parts of the mold. Learn more >

PVC & Flame-Retardant Resin Protection

Acid Vapor Neutralizer (44011P) provides protection for molding PVC and flame-retardant resins, offering protection against moisture, hydrochloric and hydrobromic acid vapors, and even hand sanitizer, which has shown to be a mold contaminant.

Food-Grade Rust Preventive

White Rhino (46710P) provides up to two years of protection for injection mold assemblies used to produce food packaging (NSF category H1) and performs as well as Mold Shield. Learn more >

Let Us Help You Choose the Right Rust Preventive

If you’re unsure of which rust preventive to use, the Plastixs team can help. With decades of experience working with injection molders, we can quickly help you find the right rust preventive, determine if buying in bulk makes sense, and get it to you as expediently as possible.

Mold releases create a barrier between your molds and resins, preventing them from sticking to each other, which can lead to part defects and mold damage. In the process, mold releases can extend the life of your molds and increase production throughput – as long as you’re using the right one.

With the most effective and widest range of mold releases on the market, SLIDE Products is the name to know for high-quality mold releases. At Plastixs, we’ve proudly represented SLIDE Products since 1989 and we can help you find the right mold release for your injection or blow molding application.

Best Selling Mold Releases

Cost-Effective & Widely Used

SLIDE EconoMIST (41612N) is an NSF-certified mold release that delivers a solvent-free, dry, light silicone spray to improve part release and optimize cycle time. It’s one of the most commonly used mold releases because of its effectiveness on a wide variety of injection molding applications and economical price. Learn more >

A Paintable Mold Release

Paintable Mold Release (40012N) permits post-molding painting or decorating, and is essentially a paintable version of EconoMIST. Learn more >

Food-Grade Release

Pure Eze (45712N) is a food and medical grade, paintable, neutral white oil-based mold release that is non-silicone based and does not contain lecithin. Many customers find Pure Eze effective for non-food applications with difficult to release materials. Learn more >

Cost-Effective Food-Grade (Non-Paintable)

Econo-Spray 1 (40510P) is an economical, food-grade, silicone oil-based mold release recognized by UL. Econo-Spray 1 is non-paintable. Learn more >

Let Us Help You Choose the Right Mold Release

There are many other specialty mold release options so whether you need light or heavy duty, medical or food grade, NSF-certified, paintable, silicone or non-silicone, let us help you find the right mold releases to protect your molds, maximize throughput, and drive greater productivity. Bulk options are available in addition to cans and Plastixs has what you need in stock, ready to ship.

Moldshields™ help you reclaim your parts that are lost or damaged once ejected and bounce out of the machine, which can generate a 10x ROI on their first day of use.

Moldshields are simple, cost-effective side shield curtains that contain parts in the machine when they are ejected from the mold. This prevents your parts from bouncing onto the floor or into another part of the machine, preventing part defects, contamination, housekeeping and safety issues they cause.

How Moldshields Work

Moldshields are the thinnest mold shield curtains (side curtains) on the market. They take up only a half inch of space even when rolled up, so they’re easy to insert between the side of mold and the tie bars of the machine. Simply clip them on and they will contain all your parts in your machines. Unlike other mold shield curtains, Moldshields are 100% clear so you can see directly into the machine when using them.

There is nothing mechanical in Moldshields: there are no springs or roller devices. Instead, Moldshields have a special polymer laminate so it curls upon itself. When you need to get into the mold, simply unclip one side and the Moldshield automatically retracts to the other side of the mold so they don’t get in the way and get damaged like other mold shield curtains.

Your Trusted Partner for Reducing Part Defects & Increasing Productivity

Moldshields have an in-service life expectancy of 3 million cycles and a maximum operating temperature of 250°F. However, because they are thin, Moldshields can get damaged and wear out over time, but are inexpensive to replace at $100 to $300 per set.

Because they can prevent part defects and contamination in fully automated molding of small parts, injection molders often experience a 10x ROI on their first day of use.

As the largest stocking distributor of Moldshields in the US, Plastixs can help you identify the right size for your machines and whether you might also benefit from using mold chutes.

While a distributor supplies products, a true partner will work with you to solve your problems, maximize uptime and give you time back.

Sourcing the right products is more than about finding the right distributor, but with so many suppliers, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.

If you already know what you need, then you need someone that you can count on to get you products fast, cost-effectively and communicate any issues along the way so they can be proactively resolved.

If you’re not sure what you need, it’s important to work with someone that has strong industry and product expertise so they can help you identify the right specifications and get you the best products that meet them – and can even build custom, end-to-end solutions if no off-the-shelf product exists.

A materials handling partner can help you with all of the above while a distributor simply executes transactions. They may be able to offer a somewhat lower price because they don’t invest their time trying to solve your problems or adding value.

Plastixs Brings Three Decades of Materials Handling & Injection Molding Experience

We ensure your production cells perform at their full potential by supplying unique components, accessories and supplies—guided by 30 years of expertise—that tie these systems together, increase productivity and prevent small issues from creating big problems.

Our customers depend on us to identify the right solution and get it delivered on time, no matter what, which is why we have customers for life.

Our team of industry veterans understand the ins and outs of injection molding, material handling and manufacturing of industrial products. We know the problems you face, and the right solutions to help optimize and streamline your production. Our company’s mission centers on:

Problem solving and prevention

Competitive pricing

Expert technical assistance

Custom solutions and prototyping

Delivery that meets your deadline

Solving problems that reduce/prevent downtime

Boosting your productivity and profitability

Finding ways for you to save time and headache

Reach out to us if you’re ready to work with a partner you can count on to maximize uptime and give you time back – share your production and material handling problems with us so we can start helping you solve them.