5. Set hold time based on the machine operators experience, take their estimate and multiply by 1.5. Use this as the starting point for hold time. If after running the test you do not identify a point at which the gate freezes off, increase the hold time incrementally. Caution: On some molds, high hold pressure and hold times can cause ejection issues. Pay heed to the advice of the mold builder and do not increase the hold pressure and time to the point the parts are difficult to eject off the cores. If you see this issue on your pilot mold, you may want to modify the mold or part design to make your part ejection more robust.