Alignment lives or dies in the pillars.
What wear patterns tell you
Even, light polishing is normal service. Wear concentrated on one side points to uneven loading or a press alignment issue; scoring and galling suggest lubrication lapses or contamination.
Because clearance between pillar and bushing is small, modest wear translates directly into plate misalignment, flash and insert damage.
A practical service routine
Inspect and clean pillars and bushings at scheduled maintenance, measure clearance rather than judging by eye, and replace as pairs — a new pillar in a worn bushing inherits the problem.
Keep them lubricated per the mold's specification, and investigate any recurring one-sided wear instead of just polishing it away.
FAQ
How often should pillars be checked?
With the regular preventive maintenance cycle; high-cavitation or abrasive-molding tools may warrant shorter intervals.
Can worn bushings be re-bushed?
Yes — plates can often be bored and fitted with oversized bushings, restoring original alignment.
Is grease type important?
Yes, use the lubricant specified for the mold; incompatible greases can wash out or contaminate molded parts.
All figures above refer to standard product data sheets; final confirmation is subject to written quotation.