Projected-area record
Use the current mold layout and the projection normal to the clamping direction. Include every applicable cavity and runner contribution without double-counting overlapping geometry.
G7
SIZE / CLAMP INPUTS
Clamp-force planning starts with projected area and cavity pressure—not machine tonnage alone.
Build a traceable input chain from the current mold geometry, pressure evidence, filling and packing states, tool-specific loads and a margin approved for the project. The result remains preliminary until the mold, process and machine teams review it.
ANSWER FIRST
Use the formula as an input audit—not a universal machine calculator.
A preliminary screen relates projected area to a documented pressure basis. A higher-fidelity review considers pressure distribution over the cavities and through filling and packing. Neither route removes the need to validate the mold and process.
Continue with the complete mold-fit checkScreening structure
- Screen total projected area against a documented pressure basis
- Review pressure distribution through filling and packing
- Identify tool-specific loads and unresolved uncertainty
- Approve a project-specific margin with named owners
- Compare the reviewed demand with verified machine capability
- Keep every unit, source and revision visible
INPUT CHAIN
Six controls separate a useful screen from a tonnage guess.
If a field is unknown, label it as an estimate and name the action required to replace it before machine release.
Pressure basis
Name whether cavity pressure comes from a validated process, mold-flow analysis, material guidance or an estimate. Do not silently substitute injection-unit pressure.
Pressure distribution
Review filling and packing because pressure changes across the cavities and over time. A single uniform value is only a documented screening assumption.
Tool-specific loads
Identify slides, angled actions, stack layouts, guide preload or other tool conditions that the simple pressure-area screen does not represent.
Engineering margin
Record the margin, its reason and its owner. The mold and process teams must confirm it for this tool instead of copying one universal percentage.
Machine evidence
Compare the approved demand with verified clamping capability, platen and mold-fit data for the proposed configuration—not a family name or nominal label alone.
RFQ INPUT REGISTER
Record the value, evidence state and responsible owner.
A number without its pressure stage, material, geometry revision or owner cannot support a dependable machine comparison.
| Input | Collect | Acceptable source state | Confirm with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total projected area | Current part/mold projection, cavity count, runner projection, parting direction and any overlap treatment | Controlled mold drawing, CAD result or reviewed simulation | Mold designer |
| Cavity-pressure basis | Pressure value or distribution, stage, location, material, temperature, gate and process conditions | Measured cavity data, reviewed simulation, material guidance or marked estimate | Process and material teams |
| Fill and pack states | When peak opening demand occurs and which cavities/runner regions are pressurized | Process trace or simulation history | Process engineer |
| Additional mold loads | Slides, wedges, stack action, guide preload, off-axis loads and abnormal conditions | Mold design review and supplier instructions | Mold engineer |
| Project margin | Selected allowance, justification, excluded uncertainty and approval state | Documented engineering decision | Mold/process approvers |
| Machine clamp evidence | Verified force basis, control behavior, platen condition and applicable configuration | Current supplier data and agreed acceptance method | Machine supplier and buyer |
REVIEW SEQUENCE
Move from a geometry record to a machine-fit decision.
Preserve the calculation revision so later mold, gate or material changes trigger a new review instead of inheriting an old answer.
Freeze the geometry revision
Link the projected-area result to the exact part, runner, cavity layout and parting direction used in the calculation.
Classify every pressure input
Keep measured, simulated, guidance-based and estimated pressure values in separate evidence states.
Run the preliminary screen
Use total projected area and the selected pressure basis only as a traceable first check; state units and assumptions.
Add tool and uncertainty review
Ask the mold/process team to identify loads and uncertainty outside the simple screen, then approve the project-specific margin.
Verify the complete machine fit
Review clamping capability together with platen coverage, tie-bar or open-platen access, thickness, daylight, ejection and mold handling.
BUYER QUESTIONS
Clamp-force input FAQ
These answers keep a preliminary pressure-area screen separate from a validated mold, process and machine decision.
01What projected area belongs in a clamp-force review?+
Use the total applicable cavity and runner projection normal to the clamping direction for the current mold layout. Record cavity count, parting direction and how overlapping or special geometry was treated. The mold team should approve the area record.
02Is machine injection pressure the same as cavity pressure?+
No. Injection-unit pressure, nozzle pressure and pressure distributed inside the cavities are different quantities. If cavity pressure is not measured, state the simulation, material guidance or estimate used and keep its limitations visible.
03What safety margin should be added to clamp force?+
This page does not prescribe one universal margin. The appropriate allowance depends on the evidence quality, mold layout, process variation, tool loads and the applicable engineering practice. Record the selected margin and obtain mold/process approval.
04Can projected area multiplied by pressure select the machine?+
It is a useful screening structure, not a complete machine selection. Pressure can vary across the projected area and during filling and packing. Machine capability, mold envelope, platen support, opening, ejection and acceptance evidence still need review.
05What should be included in the clamp-force RFQ pack?+
Attach the current part and mold layout, projected-area record, resin grade, gate/runner concept, cavity-pressure source, filling and packing conditions, tool-specific loads, approved margin basis and the required machine/mold-fit evidence.
CLAMP INPUTS / NEXT STEP
Send the evidence chain—not only a requested tonnage.
Attach the projected-area record, pressure source, fill/pack basis, tool loads, margin approval and complete mold envelope so the proposed clamp can be reviewed.
Build the machine brief