Vertical vs. Horizontal Injection Molding Machines: 8 Key Differences

Vertical injection molding machines are widely used in automotive, electronics and medical manufacturing. Here is how they differ from horizontal machines.

• Automation through the mold. Conveyor or strip-feed systems can easily pass through the middle of the mold, making automated production straightforward.
• Consistent flow and mold temperature. The vertical layout helps keep resin flow and mold temperature distribution uniform.
• Insert molding. With the mold face pointing up, inserts are easy to place and stay in position. On machines with a fixed lower platen and moving upper platen, combining a conveyor with a robot allows fully automatic insert molding. (Modern horizontal machines can also insert-mold well, so the gap here has narrowed.)
• Open clamping area. The clamp is usually open on all sides, making it easy to add automation for complex, delicate parts.
• Table options. Rotary tables, sliding tables and tilting tables make insert molding and in-mold assembly easier.
• Low-cost trial runs. For small-batch trials, molds are simple, inexpensive and quick to mount and remove.
• Long-term accuracy. The mold weight rests on the horizontal platen, so there is none of the forward sagging caused by mold weight on horizontal machines. This helps preserve machine and mold accuracy over time.