Looking to Reduce Scrap? Why All-Electric Injection Molding Machines Are the Clear Choice

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL, January 12, 2022 - Improving scrap rates in injection molding can have a large impact on increasing profitability. While there are many process improvements for scrap rate reduction, it is also important to consider the type of machine doing the job. To achieve consistent scrap rate improvement and become more competitive, many manufacturers are now moving away from hydraulic and choosing to invest in all-electric technology. 

Challenges with Hydraulic Machines 

Although hydraulic machines are still a popular option, when it comes to repeatability, a major factor in scrap rate reduction, these machines simply can not match that of all-electric.

Compared to their all-electric counterparts they consume a large amount of energy- even when idle. In order for the hydraulic machine to move it also requires a combination of hydraulic oil, valves, hoses, manifolds, pumps, and hydraulic cylinders. The performance and wear of these components create increased opportunities for process variations, which can impact part quality.

Maintaining proper oil temperature is also critical for molding success with hydraulic machines. Hydraulic machines use heat exchangers which must be cooled using chiller or tower water and risk fluid leakage making them a less than ideal choice for clean room requirements. Variations in water flow or temperature due to scale buildup or contamination of the cooling equipment, pipes, or machine heat exchanger can further negatively affect the process and the part quality.

Improve Repeatability, Reduce Scrap Rates

Powered by independent CNC servo motors, all-electric machines offer a combination of tighter precision, higher predictability, and consistent repeatability. This results in many benefits, but most notably reduced scrap rates. 

The electric servo motors, ball screws, and linear guides are perhaps the biggest benefits these machines have over hydraulic when it comes to reducing scrap rate. Using a servo motor and ball screws for each movement on the Shibaura Machines ECSXIII series allows for the improved positioning accuracy and increased repeatability compared to hydraulic machines. The linear guides for movement of the injection and moveable platen that the ECSXIII machines use also make them an excellent choice for clean room applications. The tie bar bushings found on hydraulic machines need lubrication, introducing grease into the molding area that can often contaminate parts.

All of this also adds up to the all-electric machines offering better performance and productivity.

Learn More

Contact the Injection Molding team to discuss how the precision, repeatability, and cleanliness  of the ECSXIII series offers a much larger processing window enabling you to significantly reduce your scrap rate.

Tel: (888) 593-1616 

Email: im-success@shibaura-machine.com