# Injection Press Startup and Shutdown Checklist > Source: https://netray.co/tools/injection-press-startup-and-shutdown-checklist > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Free Tools ## Short answer A practical checklist for starting up and shutting down an injection molding press, from guards and material to first-shot and purge steps. ## Category mes-shop-floor ## Industry Plastics and Injection Molding ## Audience - Setter - Process technician - Production supervisor ## Tool **Kind:** checklist **Groups:** #### Safety and area before startup **Items:** **Text:** Safety gates, interlocks and emergency stops tested and functional **Critical:** true **Text:** Lockout tagout status confirmed with no locks left from maintenance **Critical:** true **Text:** Guards, nozzle shield and barrel covers in place **Critical:** true Floor around the press clean, dry and free of resin pellets Hydraulic oil level, hoses and fittings checked for leaks Cooling water supply on and manifold valves positioned correctly **Text:** Hot surface and pinch point warnings visible and personal protective equipment worn **Critical:** true #### Material and dryer **Items:** **Text:** Resin grade, color and lot match the work order **Critical:** true **Text:** Dryer at set temperature with dew point checked for hygroscopic resin **Critical:** true Drying time met before material reaches the press Regrind percentage within the approved limit Loader lines, hopper and magnet clean, no cross-contamination Resin lot recorded for traceability #### Mold and tooling **Items:** **Text:** Correct tool installed and tool number matches the setup sheet **Critical:** true **Text:** Clamp bolts or magnetic platen holding verified **Critical:** true Water lines connected to correct in and out ports with flow verified Hot runner connected and temperature controller zones set **Text:** Mold protection and low-pressure close set before running **Critical:** true Parting line, vents and cavity surfaces clean and free of debris Mold lubricated on slides, leader pins and lifters per schedule Shot counter and PM status checked #### Barrel heat and settings **Items:** Process sheet loaded or entered and matches the approved setup **Text:** Barrel and nozzle temperatures set and soaked for the required time **Critical:** true Nozzle seats against the sprue bushing with correct contact Purge the barrel until clean, uniform melt is seen Shot size, transfer position and cushion set for the tool Ejector stroke and speed set and tested at low speed Automation, robot or conveyor tested with the tool #### First shots and release to production **Items:** Run first shots in semi-automatic and inspect for short shots or flash **Text:** Dimensional and visual first-piece inspection approved per control plan **Critical:** true Cycle time within standard and cushion stable Part weight recorded and within the set range Switch to automatic only after stable parts are confirmed Setup and first-piece results recorded in the log or MES #### Shutdown **Items:** **Text:** Purge the barrel with the correct purge compound or resin, especially for temperature sensitive material **Critical:** true Lower barrel temperatures per procedure if the press will be idle for a long period Close the hopper slide and clear material from throat Apply mold rust preventive and close mold at low pressure if stored in the press Turn off or reduce water flow to avoid condensation on the mold Record shot count, scrap and issues on the shift report **Text:** Lock out the press if maintenance work will follow **Critical:** true Clean the area and remove resin and scrap **Scoring Note:** Every item marked critical must be complete before production or shutdown is signed off. Adapt the list to your press type, tool and resin, and follow the manufacturer's manual and your site safety procedures. ## Content **Intro:** Most startup problems, from flash to a damaged mold, trace back to a skipped check. This checklist walks a setter through safety, material, mold, barrel and first-shot checks before production, and the steps to shut a press down properly. **Sections:** #### How to use the checklist **Body:** Work through the groups in order at the beginning of each setup and again at shutdown. Tick each item as you confirm it and treat the critical items as hard stops: do not run the press with a failing interlock, with unverified lockout status, or with mold protection not set. Export the completed list to PDF or Excel to keep with the shift record. The list is a template, so remove items that do not apply and add steps specific to your presses and tools. **Bullets:** - Use it at every tool change, not only at the start of the week - Keep a signed copy with the setup sheet for traceability - Review the list after any incident or tool damage #### Why order matters **Body:** Safety checks come first because an interlock or lockout error can injure someone. Material checks follow, because wet or wrong resin causes defects that look like process problems. Mold checks protect an expensive tool before it closes, and barrel heat soak prevents cold slugs and screw damage. Only then do you take first shots, inspect, and release the press to automatic. Skipping ahead is what leads to broken tools and long troubleshooting sessions. #### Purging and shutdown **Body:** How you shut down affects the next startup. Purging the barrel removes resin that could degrade, which is especially important for heat sensitive materials like PVC or acetal and for color or material changes. If the press will sit idle, lower temperatures per procedure and protect the mold surfaces from rust. Record shot counts, scrap and any issues, so maintenance and the next shift have the information. #### Common mistakes **Body:** Typical errors are leaving mold protection disabled after a trial, starting production before barrel heat soak is complete, forgetting to recheck dryer dew point, and failing to record resin lot. Another is turning off cooling water while the mold is still hot, which can crack hot runner components or cause condensation. Build the checklist into your MES or shift report so it is completed and stored for every setup. **Cta:** If you want completed setup and startup checklists captured against the work order and tool in your ERP or MES, Netray can help design that workflow. **Faq:** #### How long should the barrel soak before starting? **Answer:** It depends on barrel size and resin. Many shops allow at least 20 to 30 minutes after the setpoints are reached so the whole barrel and screw are uniformly heated. Follow the machine and resin supplier guidance. #### Why set mold protection before running? **Answer:** Mold protection detects obstructions, such as a stuck part, and stops closing at low force. It protects the cavity and parting surfaces from crush damage, which is costly to repair. #### When should I purge the barrel? **Answer:** Purge at resin or color changes, before shutting down heat sensitive materials, and when you see degraded melt or black specks. Use a purge compound or compatible resin recommended by the supplier. #### Does this checklist replace my site safety procedures? **Answer:** No. It is a general template. Always follow the machine manual, local regulations and your site lockout and safety procedures, and adapt the list to your equipment. ## Search terms injection molding machine startup procedure, injection press shutdown checklist, molding machine start up checklist, injection molding setup checklist, first shot checklist molding, purging barrel shutdown procedure, injection molding safety checklist, molding press daily checklist --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json