Understand The Plastic Components You Plan to Mold
Knowing the specific plastic pieces that the machine will be molding is the first step in choosing the best one. If you mold parts that are not machine-compatible, you will be frustrated by continuous quality issues, sluggish cycle times, and damage to the mold and machine.
Available designs for plastic injection molding machines include:
- Hybrid, combining electric and hydraulic drive.
- Fully Hydraulic.
- Fully Electric.
There are two types of clamp designs: hydraulic ram and toggle clamp.
Three types of hydraulic pump designs are available: servo pumps, also known as frequency control or RPM control, variable displacement pumps, sometimes known as piston pumps, and constant displacement pumps.
Some machine makers utilize the accumulator to power the entire process, while others only use it for the injection stage. For molding pieces with wall thicknesses between 0.3 and 0.8 mm—also referred to as thin wall molding—accumulators are needed.
For molding thicker pieces, accumulators might also be needed, although this needs to be evaluated on an individual basis.
Before choosing a hydraulic Molding machine, take into account the following factors:
- Purchase a new or used device.
- The cost of purchase
- Efficiency in energy use
The plastic material that needs to be treated, the part and mould designs, the clean room requirements, the cycle and hold times, and the local service agent capacity
A fully hydraulic machine with a servo pump is the most energy-efficient option if you're looking for something with little power use. A servo pump uses very little power when it is not in use; it only works when the machine needs to move. But compared to a hydraulic machine with a constant displacement pump or even a variable displacement pump, the purchasing price is 10%–15% more.
Remember that a servo pump control will only save you energy if your machine has extended periods of inactivity, such as when a robot needs to be taken out of service.
Plastic Injection molding machines with complete electricity
Direct drive electric servo motors, which only draw power when necessary, power every movement of the machine, making them incredibly energy-efficient. Because of their exceptional repeatability, electric machines can produce parts with nearly constant quality. They can therefore be used to mold medical equipment. To find out more about medical injection molding, click this link.
Since hydraulic oil cannot spill onto the floor, electric machines are ideal for use in clean room environments. To find out more about electric molding machines, click this link.
Machines for hybrid plastic injection molding
An electric direct drive and hydraulic drive are both used in a hybrid Injection molding machine. Quick injection rates are produced by the hydraulic drive when molding thin wall components. Electric drive servo motors are used throughout the machine, and each axis has a separate motor. One such motor is used for the opening and closing of the mold.
