Creaking Sound and tool to platen wear, Engel Tie Bar Less.

[Jebus005]

Help please

We have a 2016 Engel Victory 650/120 Tech (Tie Barless) that was purchased new, currently with very low running hours to date.

Late last year we started to notice:
(a) a significant creaking sound emanating from the machine during clamp force build up and,
(b) upon removal of tool/s, signs of fretting between the tool and fixed platen surfaces such as metal dust, metal flakes and surface damage, refer photo.

In an effort to isolate the cause, we first applied a masking tape to the entire tool surface that resulted in eliminating the sound for a few hours only, refer photo.
We then mounted dial indicators to various positions of the machine, refer attached image, the result showed that during clamp force build up:
(1) platen deflected 0.05mm (0.002”) when measured over a 350mm (13.78”) distance, horizontally across the central top of the fixed platen and
(2) the gap between the edges of the fixed platen and both sides of the tool reduce by 0.06mm (0.002”) at the front top and front bottom and the rear top and rear bottom.

Note:
(i) tests were conducted on a 550mm (21”) wide x 630mm (25”) high tool in the machine at the time.
(ii) the above issue was evident on multiple injection tools during this period of time and since Xmas we are reluctant to operate the machine.

Has anyone experience a similar issue?

Please advise

Norm.