Systemizing mold maintenance is based on establishing consistency in repairs required (performance) and repairs performed (maintenance). Cleaning is another area where individual techniques (freelancing) greatly affect mold reliability, part quality and the tooling budget. To be cost-effective, mold cleaning must be performed:

1) At specified cycle frequencies

2) Using specific instructions for varying levels (in-press, wipe down, general, major)

3) After troubleshooting mold and part defects

4) After repairs have been made

5) After new tooling has been engraved with position number and has been installed
Instructions on how (and how frequently) cleaning must be performed should be determined by visual inspection after a known number of cycles are run, looking for residue buildup in vented and non-vented areas of tooling, plating wear and track marks.

Supervisors should ask mold technicians for their input on how many cycles molds can safely run. Observations concerning residue accumulation and wear should be documented to underscore the significance of accurate observations and to ensure mold cleaning is not taken for granted as a non-critical function, where expensive mold tooling is treated like rusted garden tools.

All molds should have in-press servicing procedures, including frequencies, and a maximum cycle count set that is strictly adhered to. A number of areas are critical to reliable production, including the internal grease level; the condition of gear racks, sliding cam blocks, internal pins and bushings, and other moving components; water line and bubbler contamination or blockage; manifold weepage; rust and corrosion from water leaks; or condensation. Excess grime can cause problems in many areas of a mold that won’t be first flagged by residue leaching out onto the part.