Injection molding can be done both vertically and horizontally – and most people don’t realize this. Here, we discuss the differences between vertical and horizontal injection molding.
Horizontal plastic injection molding
Historically, horizontal injection molding has been more popular than its vertical counterpart – but that doesn’t mean it’s inherently superior. Remember, every method has pros, cons, and distinct applications.
In this type of molding, the mold opens/closes along a horizontal axis. This configuration needs correct and consistent injection pressure to ensure proper packing and cooling while filling the mold activities. Typically, horizontal molds are built with more cavities than vertical ones, producing more parts per cycle. Plus, thanks to the horizontal separation of the mold halves – parts from these molds don’t need to be manually extracted and naturally fall out of the cavity upon ejection.
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Vertical plastic injection molding
In this type of molding, the two halves of the mold open and close by moving up and down vertically. Usually, the injection mechanism is found at the top of the mold. Both injection pressure and gravity play a big role in filling the mold cavities. This can help with filling consistency and time.
Vertical injection molding equipment is designed with rotary tables and open clamps. This allows for work with simultaneous operations and multiple molds – before, during, and after molding. Consequently, there’s not much need for manual intervention and operation, along with reduced costs, increased productivity, and higher efficiency.
There’s one key difference in a vertical mold. Compared to a horizontal mold, pieces don’t fall out of the mold automatically after being ejected. Plus, the pieces must be extracted by robotic arm or hand.
Pros
Cons
PTMS is a high-quality plastic injection mold maker in China
PTMS is a professional injection mold maker specializing in mold-making technology. With our experienced employees and advanced mold manufacturing equipment, we would like to grow as a leading plastic injection molding company.
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