Hydraulic vs. Electric Injection Molding Machines: Pros and Cons

Hydraulic vs. Electric Injection Molding Machines: Pros and Cons

Update:2025-09-08
Summary:1. Working Principle Comparison Hydraulic Injection Molding Machine: Uses hydraulic oil to drive cy...

1. Working Principle Comparison

  • Hydraulic Injection Molding Machine: Uses hydraulic oil to drive cylinders, performing injection, clamping, and ejection movements.
  • Electric Injection Molding Machine: Uses servo motors to directly drive each movement component, with precise control of speed and position.


2. Advantages Comparison

Feature Hydraulic Injection Molding Machine Electric Injection Molding Machine
Cost Lower equipment cost Higher initial investment
Torque & Pressure High torque, suitable for large tonnage Torque limited by motor, suitable for small to medium tonnage
Material Compatibility Can handle high-viscosity and engineering plastics May have limitations with high-viscosity materials
Precision & Repeatability Moderate precision, affected by hydraulic oil temperature High precision, high repeatability, minimal fluctuation
Energy Consumption High energy consumption, continuous heating of hydraulic oil Energy-saving, power only when needed, reduces electricity costs
Noise Relatively high Low noise
Maintenance Complex hydraulic system, requires regular oil changes and maintenance Easy maintenance, no hydraulic oil leakage issues


3. Disadvantages Comparison

  • Hydraulic Injection Molding Machine Disadvantages:

    1. High energy consumption, relatively low efficiency.
    2. Precision affected by hydraulic system fluctuations.
    3. High maintenance cost, frequent hydraulic oil changes.
    4. High operational noise.
  • Electric Injection Molding Machine Disadvantages:

    1. High initial investment, more expensive equipment.
    2. Less effective for high-viscosity materials or large tonnage parts.
    3. Sensitive to environmental temperature and humidity, requiring good cooling.


4. Suitable Applications

  • Hydraulic Injection Molding Machine:

    • Large tonnage molding (500 tons and above)
    • High-viscosity materials or engineering plastics
    • Cost-sensitive production lines
  • Electric Injection Molding Machine:

    • Small to medium tonnage molding (5–400 tons)
    • High-precision, complex parts
    • Energy-saving and low-noise production environments