Hydraulic vs Electric Injection Moulding Machines: Which One Should You Choose?

If you’ve ever held a plastic bottle, toy, remote cover, or even a toothbrush and wondered how exactly it was made? The chances are, it came out of something called an injection moulding machine. Now if you are someone who is into manufacturing or is thinking of stepping in, you must have your doubts: What is a better injection molding machine eectric vs hydraulic​?  

There is no simple answer to this, because no, picking the best one is not just about technology, but about knowing what fits your needs! In this guide we will help you understand the difference between hydraulic and electric injection molding machines, and which one should you choose.

What Is an Injection Moulding Machine?

Before we jump into choosing the right type, let’s understand what these machines actually do. In the simplest way possible, we can say that one has to pour in melted plastic, and it squeezes it into a mould. Then the mould gives it the shape you want—be it a bottle cap, bucket, or gear.

So, the machine helps to do four main things:

• Closes the mould tightly
• Injects melted plastic into it
• Cools the plastic down
• Opens up and ejects the final product 

What Are The Two Main Types of Machines?

There are two main kinds of injection moulding machines used today:

• Hydraulic Machines – the traditional, powerful machines that use oil pressure to run
• Electric Machines – the newer, smarter ones that use electric motors

Now, let’s talk about the difference between hydraulic and electric injection molding machines, so you can understand which suits your needs the best!

Hydraulic Injection Moulding Machines

These machines have been around for decades, and there is a reason for that! They are strong, and one can truly rely on them to get the work done. In fact, how they work is quite simple too. You have to use hydraulic oil and pistons to power all the movements, whether it is opening and closing the mould, injecting the plastic, holding it shut, and so on.

So, if you work in an industry where you make big products that need a lot of pressure, the decision of hydraulic vs electric injection molding machine tilts in the favour of hydraulic!

Pros of Hydraulic Machines

1. One of the best things about these machines are that they can deliver massive clamping force. What does this do? Well, this helps when you’re working on large or thick plastic parts that need a lot of pressure to hold the mould shut.
2. Another great thing? These machines can run for years! So if you maintain them well, then you would be shocked to see how long they can run. 
3. Hydraulic machines are generally cheaper to buy compared to all-electric injection molding machines. So if you are just starting out, this can be a great option!
4. They’re great if you’re experimenting or using custom moulds that might need more force.

Cons of Hydraulic Machines

1. Even when the machine is idle, or basically not in work, then also the motor keeps running, which well, wastes a lot of energy. 
2. In these machines, since oil pressure controls everything, it is harder to repeat the same movement with perfect accuracy every time. This can be a big con if you are working with tiny, or delicate parts which need absolute precision. 
3. Another con is that hydraulic oil needs to be changed, so you have to keep an eye on filters.
4. And yes, oil leaks can happen, so unless you want it to get all messy and have increased downtime, it’s best to rethink!
5. Last but not least, these machines are super loud and can spill oil. So technically they are not very suitable for environments like cleanrooms, or for medical parts. 

Electric Injection Moulding Machines

Now, we hop onto the all-electric injection molding machines. These are quiet, clean, and super precise, so one can say they are the new age hero. The reason why it works so well is because these machines use electric servo motors to drive every movement. No oil, no fuss. 

Plus, they are all about efficiency, speed, and sharp accuracy. This is what makes them so perfect for industries when even a fraction of a millimeter matters. 

Pros of Electric Machines

1. Because electric machines are controlled by software and servo motors, you can repeat the same movement again and again with little to no variation. This way, high-precision parts will be easy to make! 
2. They only use electricity when doing something, so you can reduce your energy consumption by up to 70%.
3. Because everything moves smoothly and quickly, the cycle times are shorter, helping you make more parts in less time.
4. And guess what? No oil, no leaks, and fewer moving parts to wear out, which means less downtime and fewer technician visits.
5. These machines are ideal for hygienic or sensitive environments, like food containers, electronics, or medical parts.

Cons of Electric Machines

1. The first negative about them is that they can be expensive to buy. However, it’s just for the start, and you will save money over time with other costs reducing. 
2. These machines may struggle with extra-large parts which require very high clamping forces. 
3. Another con is that they are sensitive to programming errors, so if not handled properly mistakes can be hard to fix back. 
4. Lastly, if something breaks, then you would have to call up specialized engineers or parts, and that asks for money too!

Quick Comparison Table: Injection Molding Machine Electric vs Hydraulic​

To make the difference between hydraulic and electric injection molding machine easier, here is a quick comparison for you.

Feature	Hydraulic Machine	Electric Machine
Clamping Force	High (Good for big parts)	Low
Precision	Moderate	High
Energy Use	High	Faster
Speed	Slower	Faster
Maintenance	High (oil, leaks, wear)	Low (no oil, fewer breakdowns)
Initial Cost	Lower	Higher
Noise Level	Louder	Quieter
Cleanroom-Friendly	No	Yes
Ideal For	Large parts, heavy-duty jobs	Small/medium parts, high precision

 

Choose Based on Your IndustryNow that you know about the main types of injection moulding machines, you know what is best for what work. But if you are still not sure, let’s match machines to the industries:

• Automotive: Hydraulic
• Medical Devices and health products: Electric
• Consumer electronics: Electric
• Food packaging: Electric
• Toys and household goods: Both (depending on size & scale)
• Industrial applications: Hydraulic

Final Thoughts

One thing is clear: There’s no universal “best” injection moulding machine. The whole hydraulic vs electric injection molding machine debate highly depends on your end product and process needs. So in conclusion we can say that if you are dealing with big parts, need raw power, or want a lower-cost start, then go for Hydraulic. However, if you care about precision, energy efficiency, and clean, fast production, your pick should be Electric. Plus, did you know, some manufacturers even keep both types running side by side for different projects? So at last, with all the information with you, you can choose the machine that works the best for you!