What to Know When Deciding Between All-Electric and Servo-Hydraulic Injection Molding Machines

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL, March 2, 2021 – Precision and repeatability. These are two things that all shop floors are looking to continually achieve. When considering what type of injection molding machine you want to help you achieve these things there are several options. 

Many shops find themselves comparing all-electric machines to servo-hydraulic machines. In this article, we will be investigating the differences between them and offering insight into which offers higher precision and repeatability, and why. 

Improving Precision & Repeatability 

Of all molding machines on the market, all-electric injection molding machines have the highest accuracy and repeatability. But why is that? Several reasons to consider specific to our Shibaura Machine all-electric ECSXIII series include:

• The optical rotary encoders in our ECSXIII series offer position sensing with a control resolution of .00005 mm ensuring complete precision and repeatability. 
• In combination with the V70 controller, the advanced load cell used in the ECSXIII can help achieve scientific molding without the requirement of internal transducers.
• The control of acceleration and deceleration on our all-electric machines is smoother because the force is controlled through the current to the servo motor. Force is instantaneous, which is a huge advantage. 
• The heavy weight of the ECSXIII injection unit is supported on linear guides, greatly reducing the drag of injection and back pressure allowing for a more precise process. The friction-free drive system also ensures more accurate injection speed and backpressure control, improving shot-to-shot repeatability throughout the processing cycle. This results in accurate and repeatable control of the force output at the work point. On the other hand, hydraulic machine cylinders are slower and not as responsive resulting in less shot-to-shot precision. 

It’s clear the future of the industry is the all-electric machine. Shibaura’s all-electric injection molding machine offers improved accuracy and repeatability compared to its servo-hydraulic counterparts. Contact our team to learn more about how the features of the ECSXIII series can give your shop a competitive advantage.