Used Sumitomo SE-EV-A: How to Evaluate Flow Front Control in a Mold Trial

If you are buying a used Sumitomo SE-EV-A for a multi-cavity tool, verify Flow Front Control on the offered machine and judge it by samples from each cavity. Agree on the mold, resin, acceptance criteria and number of consecutive cycles to sample before the run. Record the filling conditions and available controller data alongside the labelled parts, so you can see which cavities filled consistently and which still need work.

Conceptual illustration of a trial record. No measured performance or specific machine is shown.

What Flow Front Control changes in the trial

Sumitomo describes Flow Front Control, or FFC, as part of its Zero-molding approach. The SE-EV-A brochure explains the control in relation to screw behavior around the transition from velocity to pressure control, and describes waveform displays on the NC-10 controller. Confirm the exact model, installed injection unit, software and functions on the offered unit. The trial should use the configuration the seller will deliver.

Choose a part where a cavity-by-cavity comparison is useful, such as a tool that previously had one cavity short while another tended to flash. Agree with the toolmaker which locations and sample characteristics matter. If no comparable tool is available at the seller, keep production-tool acceptance for commissioning.

Use three linked records for the same run

1. Setup sheet. Record the tool revision, active cavities, resin grade and lot, drying and cooling conditions, installed screw and recipe version. Ask the technician to mark any setting changed during the trial.
2. Process record. Capture the enabled function, the approved recipe and the same available readings across the sampled cycles. Useful fields may include screw position, injection pressure and the transfer point. Label setpoints and actual readings separately. Ask what each channel measures before interpreting the trace.
3. Part record. Label samples by cavity and cycle. Check the agreed locations for incomplete fill or flash, then record part mass and any critical dimension if those are part of acceptance. Keep the sample labels tied to the corresponding settings and readings.

Decide whether you need a comparative run

If your purchase question is whether the candidate can make acceptable parts, one sustained run under agreed conditions can answer it. If the question is how much FFC contributes, have a qualified process technician plan a comparison within the approved operating range. Keep the mold, material and thermal conditions consistent and document every recipe change. Differences in venting, gate condition, material preparation or settings can also change filling and flash, so avoid assigning a cause from a single trace.

For used equipment, put the acceptance criteria, samples and any open items into the quotation. If the seller cannot demonstrate the required configuration, list the service or follow-up trial needed and the party responsible. The used machine acceptance test guide has a framework for recording those responsibilities. See Used Japanese Machines for the broader electric-press shortlist.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the total shot weight to judge filling balance?

Shot weight is a useful summary. Check samples by cavity when the purchase depends on cavity balance, since the total alone does not show which cavity produced a defect.

Does a successful FFC trial establish the cycle time for my other molds?

The result applies to the tool, material, settings and sample window recorded for that run. Use a separate trial or a stated commissioning criterion for another tool.

Discuss a used Sumitomo SE-EV-A with GEEPOW. Share your mold, active cavity count, resin and the part-quality evidence you want the seller to provide.