Which Type of Injection Moulding Machine Suits Your Industry?

If you’ve ever wondered how the everyday plastic parts around you are made, like your car’s dashboard and bottle caps, you are not alone! The secret behind these precision-made parts lies in a process called injection moulding, which is done with the help of an injection moulding machine. But with so many options, a common question arises: how many types of injection moulding machines are there, and which one suits your needs best? Whether you’re in automotive, packaging, medical devices, electronics, or toy manufacturing, the right machine can make or break your production line.

In this guide, we will help you understand the differences and how you can choose one for your industry! 

What Does an Injection Moulding Machine Do?

But before we dive into the types, it is important to first know how the machine works. Basically, an injection moulding machine melts plastic pellets and injects the molten material into a mould. Once the material cools, the mould opens to reveal a solid plastic part, ready for use. So, yes, this process is fast, precise, and ideal for making high volumes of identical parts. No matter how many units you produce, be it ten or ten million, the injection moulding machines offer efficiency and consistency.

Now, let’s go into a bit of technicality! The machine comes with three core parts: the injection unit, the mould, and the clamping unit. The injection unit melts and injects the plastic, the mould gives the part its shape, and the clamping unit opens and closes the mould securely. And not only this, but each machine uses different support components such as:

• Types of heaters used in injection moulding machines include band heaters, cartridge heaters, and ceramic heaters.
• The type of clamping system in injection moulding machines—toggle or hydraulic.
• And yes, there are different types of nozzles in injection moulding machines.

Different Types Of Injection Moulding Machines​

If you’re wondering how many types of plastic injection moulding machines exist, here is a look at the different types of injection moulding machines, each designed to serve a specific need:

• Hydraulic Injection Moulding Machines

These machines are the traditional ones that have been in use forever. What happens here is they use hydraulic pumps and types of valve in injection moulding machines, such as flow control valves, pressure relief valves, and directional control valves. And this is how they operate!

Pros:

• High clamping force, which is great for large parts
• Generally, lower upfront cost
• Proven, rugged technology

Cons:

• Less energy-efficient, as the motors run constantly
• Louder and messier as hydraulic oil is involved
• Less precise compared to electric machines

Best for: Automotive parts, large containers, heavy-duty applications. Why? It is because Hydraulic machines are known for being more forgiving when it comes to rugged stuff. Plus, because they have been here for decades, you can always get a lot of maintenance done!

• Electric Injection Moulding Machines

As the name suggests, it includes electricity! Here, the electric machines use servo motors to drive all stages of the process! Starting from injection to clamping and ejection, that too, without any hydraulic fluid.

Pros:

• Precise and repeatable
• Energy efficient, as motors run only when needed
• Quiet and clean, so it’s ideal for medical or electronics

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost
• Not suitable for very large parts that require a high clamping force

Best for: Medical devices, electronics, small precision parts, as here cleanliness plays a huge role. Especially in pharmaceuticals, because you cannot risk any oil leakage there. Also this way, you reduce a lot of waste!

• Hybrid Injection Moulding Machines

Now that we know both the main types of moulding machines, a hybrid machine combines the high power of hydraulics with the efficiency of electric drives. This way, it offers a balanced performance, which can be a need for some industries. 

The Pros here include:

• Improved energy efficiency compared to hydraulic
• High-speed and high-pressure capabilities
• Good for complex, medium-to-large parts

The Cons here include:

• More expensive and complex
• May need more maintenance over time

It is best for: Automotive parts, consumer goods, packaging with both detail and size. Why? Because these machines need the power and pros of both of them!

• Vertical Injection Moulding Machines

In these machines, injection happens from the top, and clamping is vertical rather than horizontal. So, here parts are typically placed manually or by a robot. 

Pros:

• Great for inserting moulding (adding metal parts, wires, etc.)
• Takes up less floor space
• Gravity aids material flow

Cons:

• Not suited for high-volume, high-speed operations
• Fewer suppliers and machines on the market

Best for: Electronics, connectors, and overmoulded parts as this process includes specific applications like insert moulding. This is where small metal components need to be encapsulated in plastic. And well, such precise work needs precise methods!

• Two-Shot (Multi-Shot) Injection Moulding

Two-shot moulding allows for injecting two different plastics (or colors) into the same mould cycle.

Pros:

• Combines different materials in one part
• Eliminates the need for secondary operations
• Enhanced product aesthetics and functionality

Cons:

• Complex mould design
• High machinery and tooling costs

Best for: Toothbrushes, automotive knobs, buttons, multi-coloured items! This method will help you meet all your needs, whether you need both soft and hard materials or different colors for branding and function. 

• Gas-Assisted Injection Moulding: Hollow but Strong

In this method, nitrogen gas is injected into the plastic to form hollow sections, reducing weight and material usage.

Pros:

• Lightweight parts without compromising strength
• No sink marks or warping in thicker sections
• Fast cooling times

Cons:

• Requires precise gas control systems
• Higher setup and equipment cost

Best for: Furniture, handles, and automotive parts with thick cross-sections, as these can really benefit from gas-assisted methods. This makes the parts hollow yet durable!

• Micro Injection Moulding: Tiny But Mighty

Micro injection moulding produces ultra-small parts with extreme precision—sometimes measured in microns.

Pros:

• Allows production of complex, miniature components
• Very tight tolerances
• Minimal material wastage

Cons:

• Expensive tooling
• Only suitable for small parts

Best for: Medical implants, electronics, micromechanics, and watch components can really benefit from this process! Especially if your product’s size might be shrinking but its functionality must remain high!

• Thin-Wall Injection Moulding: For Fast & Light Packaging

Used to produce containers with wall thicknesses under 1 mm, thin-wall moulding is all about speed.

Pros:

• Very short cycle times
• Material-saving and sustainable
• Lightweight yet strong output

Cons:

• Requires specially designed fast-cycling machines
• Limited to specific packaging and design types

Best for: Disposable packaging, food containers, lids, tubs. In fact, this is the backbone of FMCG packaging where millions of identical parts must be made quickly, cheaply, and consistently! 

Other Factors To Consider 

While you find the type of machine to use, you should also consider factors like:

• Your production volume
• Desired part size and complexity
• Precision requirements
• Space and energy constraints
• Budget for upfront investment vs long-term efficiency

Final Thoughts

It would be safe to say that choosing the right injection moulding machine depends on more than just your budget. However, there are more things one should consider such as knowing your product, your production goals, and your industry. So, when manufacturers ask, how many different types of injection moulding machines are there? They’re not just looking for a number, instead, they’re trying to understand which machine aligns best with their work.