Short shots or “shorts” are the incomplete filling of a mold cavity.  Some shorts can be easily seen as a large part of the cavity missing and some are very small and hard to see with a visual inspection.  Several factors can lead to short shots.

The venting of the mold can also contribute to short shots.  If the mold is not vented properly it is possible for the gas to not be able to escape the cavity in time for the molding cycle to complete.  This can result in a short shot since the material can’t fill the void in the cavity because the gas hasn’t vented.  The vents on the mold should be checked for blockages and repaired if needed.

One of the most common defects in Injection Molding is the short shot.  I remember many times that I was called to a machine to diagnose a short shot in the production run.  At the time I worked in high cavitation thin-walled molding and short shots and flash were the 2 critical defects we had to really keep an eye out for in that production environment.

Purging Compounds are an easy-to-use and affordable way to dramatically reduce scrap & downtime in plastics manufacturing. But how do you know if purging compounds are right for you?

Asaclean® helps injection molders, extruders, and blow molders dramatically reduce scrap and downtime. Whether you’re struggling with hot runner color changeovers, costly screw pulls, or holding a bubble in blown-film extrusion, we have the solution to your problems.

Use our Grade Selection Guide to receive personalized Asaclean® product recommendations based on your goals & processing information.

Learn how processors at over 2,000 manufacturing locations in North and South America use Asaclean® to cut scrap rates, reduce downtime, and transform their process efficiency.

Asaclean® Purging Compounds are engineered to tackle your hardest processing challenges and make an incredible difference in your process efficiency.

Jeremy Cooley is an Asaclean Technical Service Representative & Purging Expert living in South Carolina. He's worked in injection molding & purging for over 15 years, and frequently presents at national plastics trade shows and conferences.

Our Purging Experts answer frequently asked questions and address topics that benefit Process Technicians, Maintenance teams, Buyers, and even Plant Managers.

Our in-depth guide tells you everything you need to know about purging compounds. We want to give you the tools you need to make the best decision for your processing needs..

Many times shorts are related to a faulty process.  Inadequate injection pressure or injection speeds can cause shorts.  If the screw is bottoming out at the end of the cycle resulting in a zero cushion then the process can’t be relied upon as repeatable and many times this can generate shorts.  If shorts are present in the production run the process should be checked as well as the resin being processed as a change in viscosity can throw off the process and cause defects in the production run.

With over 2,000 current customers and a combined 200+ years of processing experience, we’ve seen it all. Asaclean® understands your priorities and has excellent cost savings solutions specific to your process and industry.