Before purchasing a pre-owned / used NETSTAL ELION 500-60 electric injection moulding machine, industry experts advise a very detailed inspection and evaluation. Electric machines like the Elion series have many advantages (energy efficiency, speed, precision) but also particular risks (electrical/electronic wear, servo systems, etc.). Below are:

• Key known specs / baseline for the Elion 500-60
• A thorough checklist of what to inspect & test
• Common red flags
• Questions to ask the seller
• Logistical / financial / operational considerations

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Known Specs & Baseline for NETSTAL ELION 500-60

From published sources, these are the main parameters for the Elion 500-60 (or close variants) to compare against what you see in the used machine.

Spec	Approximate Value
Clamping force	50 tons (~ 500-60 refers to this class)
Screw Diameter	~ 18 mm
Injection volume / stroke / shot weight	~ 25.4 cm³, shot weight ~24.4 g (material like PS)
Injection pressure	~ 2,350 bar
Screw L/D ratio	about 21-22 (varies slightly in different sources)
Opening stroke / platen & tie-bars / platen size etc.	Opening stroke ~ 310 mm; tie-bar spacing ~ 360 × 360 mm; platen size ~ 550 × 540 mm vertically / horizontally for clamping platen.
Dimensions / Footprint / Weight	Dimensions approx 4.355 m × 1.66 m × 2.042 m; machine weight ~ 6.2 tonnes (≈6,200 kg) in many listings.

These should act as benchmarks: the used machine may deviate somewhat due to wear/modifications, but big deviations mean hidden costs.

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What to Inspect & Test (Detailed Checklist)

When evaluating a used ELION 500-60, an expert would go through all these items:

1. Electrical & Control Systems
   • Condition of the servo motors / drive units: check for unusual noises, overheating, vibration. Electric machines rely heavily on these; motor failures are expensive.
   • Condition of control panel / CNC electronics / PLCs / touchscreens: screens should work, no flicker, buttons responsive. Also check firmware / software version and whether updates are available.
   • Wiring, connectors, sensors: look for loose connections, frayed wires, signs of overheating, prior repairs.
   • Safety interlocks, emergency stop functions: must all work reliably.
2. Injection Unit
   • Screw & barrel wear: inspect the barrel for scoring, wear, corrosion; test that screw rotates cleanly, check for backlash or play.
   • Heating zones / thermocouples: check whether all heating elements are functioning; verify temperature uniformity. Broken or uneven heaters can drastically affect quality.
   • Plasticizing ability: test with your material, see whether melting is uniform; check for signs of overheating, burned material.
   • Nozzle contact / alignment: check nozzle sealing, alignment, heating of nozzle, any leaks.
3. Clamping / Platen / Clamping Unit
   • Check that the clamping force is still close to spec under test (if possible). Clamps should hold mould closed tightly without slipping or deflection.
   • Inspect the platen surfaces for flatness, damage or corrosion.
   • Check tie-bars / guides: are they straight, without play? Any bending, damage or excessive wear.
   • Opening/closing mechanism: is it smooth, audible squeaks or vibrations?
4. Cycle & Dynamic Performance
   • Test actual cycle times for your typical mould/shot; an “electric” machine like the Elion often claims fast cycles — see if that holds under load.
   • Check injection speed, pressure, holding pressure, cooling times, etc. under load.
   • Ejector/unit movement: check speed, force, smoothness.
5. Utilities & Ancillaries
   • Power supply: ensure the facility has correct voltage, phase, capacity, that connections are clean and sufficient.
   • Cooling / water / chiller (if required): verify that water cooling or chiller systems are functioning, temperature stable.
   • Hydraulic / pneumatic units (if any auxiliary uses these) — check for leaks, seals, pressure stability.
6. Wear Parts, Mould Interface & Quality
   • Inspect mould mounting plates: für Verschraubung, prix / wear etc.
   • Ejector pins or mechanisms: are they still precise, not worn or bent.
   • Test part quality: mould a test shot, inspect for defects (voids, burn marks, surface finish, flash, warpage).
7. Maintenance History & Records
   • How many hours / shots has the machine done?
   • Records of preventative maintenance: especially of the injection unit, screw/barrel, heaters, drives/servo motors.
   • Any previous breakdowns, repairs or parts replaced (motors, electronics, plattens etc.)
8. Physical Condition
   • General cleanliness: corrosion, rust, chip accumulation, cleanliness of barrel and injection area.
   • Structure / frame: any signs of physical damage, repairs, distortions.
   • Guards, safety shields: are they present and in good condition?

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Common Red Flags

You’ll want to watch out for these warning signs:

• Electric servo / drive units malfunctioning or replaced non-OEM without documentation.
• Barrel or screw strongly worn: large wear leads to degraded plasticization, inconsistent shot weight, increased scrap.
• Heating/chamber issues: zones not heating, broken thermocouples, fluctuating temperatures.
• Clamping unit with slipping or inability to hold mould tightly; platen misalignment.
• Cycle times much slower than spec; machine sluggish under load.
• Leakages: electrical components exposed to moisture, coolant leaks, water ingress.
• Control software or electronic control boards obsolete or difficult to source; missing backups or manuals.
• Parts of the machine idle or unused for long periods leading to deterioration.

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Questions to Ask the Seller

To get more detailed info, these are useful:

1. What is the year of manufacture and serial number? Has the machine been retrofitted or upgraded (electrical, drives, software)?
2. How many hours / shots has it run, especially on your intended material?
3. What preventative maintenance has been done? When was the screw or barrel last serviced / replaced? What about heaters, sensors, safety systems?
4. Has the injection unit ever been rebuilt, or has clamping unit been reconditioned?
5. Are there moulded parts samples available made in recent time (so you can see current part quality)?
6. Are all original manuals, wiring diagrams, software backups, spare parts lists available?
7. What is the status of the electrical components / servo drives: any known issues, heat damage, replacement parts availability?
8. Are utilities (power, cooling water, temperature control) in good order?
9. What accessories / tooling are included / match with your moulds (e.g. mould plates, ejectors)?
10. Has the machine ever been idle / stored in less than ideal conditions?

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Logistical / Economic / Operational Considerations

• Installation / transport costs: being an all-electric machine, expects precise installation, power supply, likely heavier upfront cost for rigging and alignment.
• Power / electrical demands: ensure facility can meet requirements; check for harmonics / surge protection etc.
• Spare parts availability and cost: Electric drives, servo motors, heater zones, control boards. OEM parts might be expensive and lead time significant.
• Energy consumption & operating cost: Electric machines tend to be more efficient, but if components are older or degraded, efficiency may drop.
• Mould compatibility: Will your existing moulds / parts be compatible with the platen, clamp area, shot size etc.?
• Lifecycle: Estimate how many years of useful service remain, given wear, maintenance, and parts obsolescence.