How to judge whether the hydraulic oil of the injection molding machine needs to be replaced

Behind the efficient operation of the injection molding machine, hydraulic oil is like a behind-the-scenes hero who works silently, shouldering the heavy responsibility of transmitting power and ensuring the stability of the system.However, just as athletes will be tired and machines will be worn out, hydraulic oil also has a “shelf life”, and it is essential to judge whether it needs to be replaced in time.And look at the following judgment tricks.
1. Color and transparency: the “healthy complexion” of hydraulic oil
Healthy hydraulic oils usually appear in a clear and transparent state, with a bright color, like clear spring water.When you open the observation window of the fuel tank of the injection molding machine, if you find that the color of the hydraulic oil becomes dull, muddy, or even black impurities or emulsions appear, this is the “distress signal” it sends.For example, the new oil may be light yellow. As the length of use increases, if it becomes dark brown or black, it is likely that the oil oxidizes and deteriorates. The internal additives fail and can no longer effectively resist wear and corrosion. It is urgent to replace the new oil to revive the “Xiongfeng”.
2. Odor changes: "Early warning” of olfactory perception
Under normal circumstances, hydraulic oil has a faint, slightly peculiar smell of hydrocarbons.If you approach the mouth of the fuel tank and smell a pungent sour smell, burnt smell or strong stench, this means that the hydraulic oil has suffered from high temperature overheating, oxidation and decomposition and other undesirable conditions.Just like food spoils and emits an odor, the hydraulic oil at this time has lost part of its performance. Continued use will bring many hidden dangers to the hydraulic system such as valve core stagnation and accelerated aging of seals. Replacement is urgent.
3. Viscosity detection: the “performance code” of viscosity
Viscosity is one of the key performance indicators of hydraulic oil.You can use a professional viscometer to regularly detect the viscosity of hydraulic oil.If the viscosity is found to increase significantly, the oil becomes thick and flows slowly, just as honey is difficult to flow at low temperatures. This may be due to the oil being contaminated, mixed with impurities, moisture, or oxidative polymerization reaction; on the contrary, the viscosity is significantly reduced, as thin as water, indicating that the lubricating properties of the oil are greatly reduced, and an effective oil film cannot be formed between the hydraulic components, resulting in increased wear.Regardless of whether the viscosity increases or decreases, deviating from the prescribed scope of use indicates that the hydraulic oil should be “laid off”.
4. Impurity Content: "Insight into Hidden Dangers” in the Microscopic World
Take a small amount of hydraulic oil samples and test them with the help of filter paper or a professional particle counter.If a large number of visible metal particles, dust, rubber debris and other impurities appear on the filter paper, this indicates that there are problems such as component wear and seal damage inside the hydraulic system, and these impurities in turn will accelerate the pollution of the oil, forming a vicious circle.Once the impurity content exceeds the standard, the hydraulic oil is like a body eroded by a virus. Not only is it difficult to protect itself, it will also “infect” the entire hydraulic system, causing frequent failures and must be replaced in time.
The state of the hydraulic oil of the injection molding machine is related to the stable operation of the equipment and the quality of the product. Through multi-dimensional observation of color, smell, viscosity, and impurities, we can accurately measure the “health” of the hydraulic oil and replace it with “new clothes” at the right time, so that the injection molding machine can continue to produce with vigor.