Method for adjusting the closing force of a mold of a plastics processing machine, in particular an injection molding machine

A method for adjusting a closing force of a mold of a plastics processing machine, wherein the mold has a spring constant, so that a mold deformation results when the mold is subjected to the closing force, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

• a in a first production cycle:
• Closing the mold with a nominal initial closing force and recording the mold deformation caused by this and calculating deformation work introduced by the mold deformation;
• b) in a subsequent further production cycle:
• Closing the mold with a closing force which is reduced relative to the nominal initial closing force by a predetermined force difference and recording the mold deformation caused thereby and calculating the deformation work introduced by the mold deformation;
• c) Recording the determined deformation works versus the closing force, performing a linear extrapolation of a course of the deformation works versus the closing force, and determining a reduced closing force which is at a predetermined percentage value of one of the previously determined deformation works, wherein the predetermined percentage value of the deformation work is at most 20% of the previously determined deformation work;
• d) Execution of the subsequent further production cycle with the determined reduced closing force.