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How To Choose the Right Injection Molding Machine for Your Product Whether you are just starting your injection molding business or looking to expand an existing one, one item you will need to consider for your operation is the type of injection molding machine you will need to perform the tasks you plan to perform with your injection molding equipment. Common injection molding machine manufacturers are: Husky, Toshiba, Nissei, Mitsubishi, Engel, Van Dorn, Demaag, Cincinnati, HPM, UBE , Nigata, Sandretto, Reed, Arburg, and Boy. There are also others, but these listed cover of the most common injection molding machine manufacturers. Each of these manufacturers supply the standard horizontal hydraulic or toggle clamp injection molding machines, and may also supply co-injection, multi shot, and the more recently desired all electric injection molding machines. What type of machine is best for you? This depends entirely on what you are planning to do with it. First you need to decide what your Niche market is going to be. You then should research what types of products these markets will require and what types of injection molding processes will be required to create them. You can do this yourself or have it done by a consulting or research service. Based on what the research tells you, you will then need to decide what type of machine you will need to perform those services for your customers. For example, if you decided to get into the Niche market of automobile lenses, you will likely need a machine capable of multi shot or co-injection molding. If you are going to produce simple one shot type molding products, or products that do not require any special needs, you will be looking for standard toggle or hydraulic clamp machines. If your market will require some type of insert molding, you could be looking for vertical shuttle presses. You will also need to decide if you will need new or used injection molding equipment. This depends entirely on the level of consistency and complexity of the products you are molding. There are pros and cons to both avenues. Older used injection machines can fill a service if less complexity and repeatability are required. Newer used machines often become available do to someone going out of business or simply changing directions within the company, and these machines will be more current and have more current technology. They will also typically be more reliable from a maintenance point of view. Used equipment will be less expensive than new and often fill the needs of the molder. If your business is cutting edge, or maybe on the larger size, keeping up with your competition becomes more of an issue. In this case, purchasing new equipment is probably the most common way to go. This will keep you competitive with your competition and also maintain the average age of your machines to something more desirable. Again this just depends on your niche and business requirements. Many businesses try to maintain around a 10 year average machine age to remain competitive in their fields. Lastly, if you want the latest technology for your plant, the "all electric" injection molding machines employing electric servo controls are the latest to hit the market. In the earlier years of their development, only small size electric machines (up to around 400 ton) were available, but now you can easily find machines in the 1000 ton class and above that are "all electric". There are also Hybrid versions with electric injection units and hydraulic clamp ends. The consistency and "shot to shot" repeatability of these machines is currently unmatched in this area. The prices continue to become more competitive and they will definitely save on your overall electric bills as they are cheaper to run than your standard hydraulic machines will be. So many choices! You will need to do a lot of research if you are new to this industry before investing in your equipment so that you don't purchase more than you need but can still remain competitive. Look around at what's available before deciding and making your final decision and above all, make sure you understand your niche market needs! Written by WM8C, July 3, 2006- not for use without written permission

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