There are four situations during which part or all of the molds is handled

  1. Machining a mold part( plates, heavy cavities and cores)
  2. Assembling the mold(servicing and maintance)
  3. Mounting the mold in a machine
  4. Operating the mold

During the design phase, the designer must try to foresee how a mold or mold part will be handled or mishandled. Where the handler, for example, the machinist, assembler, or molding technician, may cause injury to himself or the others. The designer must consider in all case show size, location, and number of tapped holes in general and for handling devices will affect the strength and the fatigue life of the part.

From the onset, a block for any heavy mold part usually including plates, cavities and cores must have one or more threaded holes to permit the machine operator to utilize eye bolts and a hoist for handling. Lifting with eye bolts is preferred to lifting with magnets, particularly when lifting a finely ground plate, which could be scratched when using a magnet.