How do I judge the age and tonnage mix of a plastics plant’s moulding presses?

Start with a press list: make, age, clamp size, type, controller, hours and last major repair. Then place each mould on the press where it normally runs. Is a small part tying up a large press? Is a big tool pushing a press to its limit? Mismatches cost time and wear on equipment.

Look next at condition. Check platens, tie bars, hydraulics or drives, heaters and controls, and read the maintenance history. Ask about leaks, slow cycles and spare parts. An older press that has been well kept may serve you better than a newer one that has been abused. Ask whether parts are still available for older controls.

Then think about the future. Does the plant have the clamp sizes needed for the work a customer might send next? Where are the gaps? Ask the seller what presses have been turned down or what jobs were lost for lack of capacity. Bring an independent technician or equipment appraiser for the press floor. They can judge condition and tell you what a used replacement might involve. Your accountant can explain how the equipment is recorded in the books.

Key takeaways

• Match every press to the moulds it normally runs and look for poor fits.
• Read the maintenance history and check whether parts for older controls are still available.
• Ask which jobs were turned down for lack of the right press size.