Vertical Injection Molding Process Technician

Step into a Day on the Floor

Your shift begins at a Tayu vertical injection-molding cell where precision meets automation. You own safe start-up, setups/changeovers, in-process controls, and the documentation that keeps production of insulator pins for handheld conducted energy devices on track. You’ll tune automation settings, restore standard after faults, verify quality with calipers and microscopes, and keep NetSuite current.

Start Strong: Start-up and Shutdown

• Run pre-start safety checks on Tayu vertical injection-molding cells: guards/interlocks, e-stops, light curtains, hot-oil lines, rotary table, and any spill/leak conditions.
• Execute the documented start-up: home the Kawasaki 6-axis robot; stabilize the Temperature Control Unit (TCU) at 320°F / 160°C for 20 minutes; warm barrel heats to 698°F / 370°C for 20 minutes; turn on the manifold for hot tip controllers at 395° / 202° C.
• Apply Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) and complete the documented shutdown for press, robot, capper, and TCU.

Changeovers that Set the Pace

• Stage molds for MPJ 1097 and MPJ 1238, End of Arm Tooling (EOAT), raw material (shells, pins, resin), inspection microscopes and caliper; confirm Matsui dryer settings and parameters.
• Install molds; verify clamp plate alignment and platen cleanliness; torque clamps to specification and record the values.
• Connect TCU supply/return, leak-check, and confirm temperature stability.
• At machine start-up or shift change, pull parts for Critical to Quality (CTQ) checks: for MPJ 1097, pull 16 parts representing 1 part from each cavity from each side of the mold; for MPJ 1238, pull 32 parts representing 2 parts from each cavity from each side of the mold. Deliver the parts to the Quality Technician.

Keep the Process in Control

• Manage temperature/pressure/velocity windows; monitor cushion, fill time, transfer position, pack pressure, and cycle time.
• Hold process to UCL/LCL; document drifts beyond thresholds and execute reaction plans.

Automation You Orchestrate

• Robot: Return to home, validate safe zones, update points after mold changes.
• Bowl feeders: Tune vibration controller amplitude; verify part orientation: for MPJ 1097 use part MMM0161 for the shell and MMM0162 for the pin on Work Cell 1; for MPJ 1238 use part MMS0402 for the shell and MMM0162 for the pin on Work Cell 2; for part S01908 use part MPJ 1238 for the body and MMS0403 for the washer on Capping Stations 1 and 2.
• Vision system: Own the dataset lifecycle—image capture, model training, and periodic re-validation on Work Cells 1 and 2.
• Table cutter: Replace pads/cutters; set cutter height via HMI to ±0.020 millimeters (MPJ1097 nominal is 5.69 and MPJ 1238 nominal is 4.35 millimeters).
• Capping station: Calibrate height sensors; confirm cap presence and orientation.

Quality, Metrology, and Records

• Complete the appropriate Traveler for each part: PD-WI001-F01 for MPJ 1097; PD-WI001-F02 for MPJ 1238; PD-WI001-F03 for S01908. Initial and date each step/operation.
• Perform caliper-based height measurements every 30 minutes; record results and initiate a hold for any out-of-spec result. Tolerances: MPJ 1097 ±0.020 millimeters; MPJ 1238 ±0.010 millimeters.
• Conduct microscope visual inspections per acceptance criteria; log results on the appropriate documents (Traveler, Visual Inspection Sheet, or Height Check Sheet).

Operator-Level Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Daily checks: lube levels, leaks, heater band status, TCU temperature/flow, dryer dew point.
• Respond to alarms, clear jams, reseat connectors, and replace common wear parts as trained.
• Perform root-cause diagnosis and recovery on vertical press and capping-station automated controls; escalate to leadership within the defined time and document fault, cause, action, and verification.

Materials & ERP

• Follow drying specifications (temperature/hours, dew-point targets) and use sealed conveyance to the hopper for Radel material.
• Record material lot numbers on the Traveler and in NetSuite.
• In NetSuite, enter the number of MPJ 1238 parts made and tie them to lot numbers of raw materials including bodies, pins, and resin.

Safety and Compliance

• Exercise stop-the-line authority for any safety or quality risk; report and document immediately.
• Follow the PPE matrix including heat protection on arms and hands, safety glasses with side shields, safety shoes, cut-resistant gloves, and helmets.
• Apply LOTO for press, robot, capping stations, TCU, and auxiliary equipment.
• Adhere to ISO 9001 document control and training requirements; complete required safety and quality training.

Supervisory Scope

None.

What You Bring

• Hands-on experience with vertical injection molding presses and integrated automation.
• Proficiency in setups/changeovers, first-article inspections, and in-process control to defined limits.
• Basic robot operations (home, jog, point verification) and EOAT handling.
• Use of calipers and microscope.
• NetSuite production entry (operations confirm, assembly build, scrap).
• LOTO proficiency and strict adherence to safety procedures.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and work instructions.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills; systematic root-cause approach.
• Independence and teamwork in a fast-paced, shift-based environment; clear communication with team members, maintenance, and engineering staff.
• Attention to detail; ability to prioritize multiple tasks during a production shift; accurate record-keeping of parameters, quality checks, and production issues.
• Ability to navigate and adjust settings on machine HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces).
• Excellent verbal and written communication; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite for reports.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of five years in plastic injection molding preferred.
• RJG/Paulson training or equivalent preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Up to 12 hours on your feet using tools and performing repetitive actions with frequent bending and stooping.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Visual acuity to read instructions, operate machines, and inspect parts.

Legal Notice

Ability to pass a background screen.