Built to Be Lifted: Lifting Features on a Mold Base
The lifting features themselves
Mold bases above a certain size are machined with lifting slots through the plates or threaded holes for eyebolts, sized for the assembled weight including mold steel. Slots allow chain or shackle access from above; eyebolt holes must be specified for the actual load direction, since side pulls reduce an eyebolt's safe rating.
The position matters as much as the feature: lift points are placed so the hung mold sits level, not nose-heavy.
Handling rules in the shop
Lifts go through a trained rigger with rated hardware; eyebolts are the correct type and fully seated, and slot edges are checked for damage that could cut slings. Horizontal moves use dedicated strongbacks or fork slots where designed.
When a base is modified later — plates added, cavities enlarged — the lifting plan is revisited, because the weight and balance changed too.
FAQ
Why do some bases use slots instead of eyebolts?
Slots accept chains or shackles directly, work with the assembled mold's geometry and avoid the rating derating that off-axis eyebolt loading causes.
Can standard eyebolts be used at any angle?
No. Lifting capacity drops with side loading; only eyebolts rated for multi-directional loads may be used where the pull is not vertical.
Who decides the lift method?
A competent person at the site, based on the mold weight, balance and available equipment. The base design provides the attachment points, not the lift plan.
All figures above refer to standard product data sheets; final confirmation is subject to written quotation.