Misaligned platens or motion axes change the relationship between the sheet, mold, pressure box, clamps, and plug assist. The process may show one-sided detail, unequal wall thickness, seal leakage, repeated contact marks, or cavity-specific damage.
Guide wear, loose couplings, unequal pneumatic motion, servo calibration, frame deflection, thermal expansion, and incorrect tool setup can all create misalignment. A machine may appear square at rest and deflect under forming or clamping load.
Verification and correction
Parallelism and position should be measured through the working stroke and, where practical, under representative load. Plug-to-cavity clearance, seal compression, and left-right timing should be checked at operating temperature.
Mechanical or control faults should be corrected before heater zoning or sheet position is changed to compensate. A process built around misalignment will remain sensitive to tool weight, pressure, and maintenance condition.