ISO 28238:2010

Overview

ISO 28238:2010 - "Compression and injection moulds - Components for gating systems" defines the characteristics and professional terminology for gating system components used in injection moulds processing thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics and elastomers. The standard covers components for systems that produce solidifying sprues, and for externally heated, internally heated (hot runner) and cold runner gating systems. Its primary purpose is to establish coherent terms and component definitions to support design, manufacturing and communication across the tooling supply chain.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and terminology: Clear definitions for gating system types (hot runner, hot side, externally heated, internally heated, cold runner) and related terms such as gating system for solidifying sprues.
• Component identification: Standardized names and roles for common parts - sprue bush, sprue puller, distributor bushing, manifold block (forms: straight, H, X, T, S, etc.), nozzle (thermal seals and mechanical/needle seals), sealing ring, thermocouple, cartridge heaters, spreader tube, torpedo, sealing needle, and accessory items.
• Hot side assembly: Components and plates that form the hot side of a mould (clamping plate, frame plate, nozzle retainer plate) and guidance/locating elements.
• Externally vs internally heated systems: Distinction between components that are heated externally (heater cartridges, heating jackets, manifold heating) and internally (heated elements integrated into distributor bushings or nozzles).
• Cold runner components: Distributor bushings, insulating rings, sealing cylinders and quick-action clamping devices specific to cold runner setups.
• Normative cross-references: Integration with related tooling standards (e.g., ISO 10072 sprue bushes, ISO 10907-1 locating rings, ISO 15600 thermal insulating sheets).

Applications and who uses ISO 28238:2010

• Toolmakers and mould designers: Use the standard to specify parts, design hot/cold runner layouts and ensure consistent terminology on drawings and BOMs.
• Hot runner and nozzle manufacturers: Align product descriptions and compatibility with established component names and configurations.
• Injection moulding engineers and production managers: Select appropriate gating systems (externally heated, internally heated, cold runner) for material type and part requirements.
• Procurement and quality teams: Use standardized terms to control purchasing, inspection and maintenance procedures.
• Technical documentation and training: Ensure clear, international terminology for manuals and training materials.

Related standards

ISO 28238 references and complements other ISO tooling standards including:

• ISO 10072 (Sprue bushes), ISO 10907-1 (Locating rings), ISO 15600 (Thermal insulating sheets), ISO 16915 (Sprue pullers), and ISO 12165 (Terms and symbols for mould components).

Keywords: ISO 28238:2010, gating systems, hot runner, cold runner, distributor bushing, manifold block, nozzle, sprue bush, injection moulds, thermoplastics.