This section provides a concise overview of Injection Molding Machines, detailing their core functions, operational processes, and key applications across various industries. It explores the cost-effectiveness of injection molding compared to CNC for different production scales and offers practical guidance on how to choose the right machine based on specific needs. Additionally, it lists 9 top global Injection Molding Machine manufacturers as of July 2025—including Haitian, Arburg, and Engel—highlighting their contributions to modern plastics manufacturing.
What does an injection molding machine do?
An injection molding machine creates plastic products by injecting molten material into a mold. This process is essential in manufacturing various items, from everyday household products to complex automotive components.
Key Functions and Process
- Material Melting: Plastic granules are fed into the machine’s hopper and heated until they reach a molten state.
- Injection: The molten plastic is injected into a mold cavity under high pressure.
- Cooling: The material cools and solidifies in the mold, forming the desired shape.
- Ejection: Once solidified, the mold opens, and the finished product is ejected.
Applications
- Automotive Parts: Used for dashboards, bumpers, and other parts.
- Consumer Goods: Produces items like toys, containers, and electronic housings.
- Medical Devices: Manufactures precise components like syringes and surgical tools.
Injection molding machines are integral in mass production due to their efficiency and ability to produce complex shapes with high precision.
Is Injection Molding Cheaper Than CNC?
Injection molding is generally more cost-effective than CNC machining for large production runs. This is due to its ability to produce high volumes at a lower per-unit cost.
Cost Analysis
- Setup Costs: Injection molding involves higher initial tooling costs, but these are amortized over large quantities.
- Material Efficiency: Injection molding minimizes material waste, while CNC machining often results in leftover material.
- Production Speed: Injection molding can produce multiple parts in a single cycle, significantly reducing time per piece compared to CNC.
Application Scenarios
- High Volume Production: Ideal for products requiring thousands to millions of units.
- Complex Geometries: Suitable for parts with intricate designs and consistent quality.
- Material Choice: Economical for thermoplastics and some metals.
Considerations
For small batches or prototypes, CNC might be more economical due to lower upfront costs and flexibility in adjustments. In summary, choose injection molding for high-volume, consistent production needs.
What is an Injection Molding Machine Called?
An injection molding machine is commonly referred to as an “injection press.” This machine is pivotal in manufacturing plastic products by injecting molten material into a mold.
Injection molding machines operate through a specific process:
- Material Loading: Thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers are loaded into a heated barrel.
- Injection: The heated material is injected into a mold cavity under high pressure.
- Cooling: The material cools and solidifies into the shape of the mold.
- Ejection: The finished product is ejected, and the cycle repeats.
These machines are widely used in industries for producing complex shapes with high precision, such as automotive parts, consumer electronics, and medical devices. The ability to produce large volumes of detailed components efficiently makes injection molding machines essential in modern manufacturing.
How to Choose an Injection Molding Machine?
Selecting the right injection molding machine involves assessing your production needs, material specifications, and budget constraints. Key considerations include machine type, clamping force, shot size, and automation capabilities.
- Machine Type: Decide between hydraulic, electric, or hybrid machines. Hydraulic machines are versatile, electric machines offer precision and energy efficiency, while hybrids combine both benefits.
- Clamping Force: Ensure the machine has adequate clamping force to keep the mold closed during injection. This depends on the part size, material, and design complexity.
- Shot Size: Choose a machine with a shot size that matches your part’s volume. An undersized shot can lead to defects, while an oversized shot increases costs.
- Automation Features: Consider machines with automation for improved efficiency, especially for high-volume production. Features may include robotic part removal or integrated quality control.
- Material Compatibility: Ensure the machine is compatible with the type of plastic material used in your production, considering factors like melting temperature and viscosity.
By aligning machine specifications with your production requirements, you can optimize efficiency and product quality.
List of 9 Injection Molding Machine suppliers
- Haitian International Holdings Limited
Haitian International is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of injection molding machines by sales volume. Founded in 1966, the company focuses on technological innovation and large-scale production, offering a full range of high-quality injection molding machines that serve global customers with excellent cost-performance and reliability. Its products are widely used in the automotive, home appliance, packaging, and medical industries.
Country: China
Address: Haitian Road, Xiaogang Equipment Industrial Park, Beilun District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
TEI: +86-574-8618-2081
Website:https://www.haitian.com
Products:
- Zhafir Series: All-Electric Injection Molding Machines
- Jupiter Series: Two-Platen Servo-Hydraulic Injection Molding Machines
- Mars Series: Energy-Saving Servo-Hydraulic Injection Molding Machines
- Multi-Component Machines and Special Application Models
- Arburg GmbH + Co KG
Arburg is a German family-owned company and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of plastic processing machines. The company is renowned for its high-end, modular injection molding machines and its deep implementation of Industry 4.0 principles. Arburg’s ALLROUNDER series is known for its flexibility, precision, and efficiency, capable of handling tasks from micro-molding to large component production.
Country: Germany
Address: Arthur-Hehl-Strasse, 72290 Lossburg, Germany
TEI: +49-7446-33-0
Website:https://www.arburg.com
Products:
- Allrounder Series: Hydraulic, Hybrid, and All-Electric Injection Molding Machines
- Freeformer: Industrial Additive Manufacturing System
- Robotic Systems and Automation Cells
- Turnkey Solutions
- Engel Austria GmbH

Engel is an Austrian company and a leading global supplier of injection molding machines and automation solutions. Founded in 1945, Engel is recognized worldwide for its innovative technology, high-quality machines, and system solutions. The company provides everything from standalone machines to highly integrated and automated production cells, serving high-end markets like automotive, packaging, medical, and electronics.
Country: Austria
Address: Ludwig-Engel-Strasse 1, A-4311 Schwertberg, Austria
TEI: +43-50-620-0
Website:https://www.engelglobal.com
Products:
- e-motion, e-cap, e-mac: All-Electric Injection Molding Machine Series
- duo, victory: Hydraulic and Two-Platen Injection Molding Machines
- iQ Smart Assistance Systems
- Integrated Robots and Automation Solutions
- Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH
Formed from the merger of Japan’s Sumitomo Heavy Industries and Germany’s Demag Plastics Group, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of injection molding machines, with a particular technological lead in the all-electric machine segment. The company is dedicated to providing precise, efficient, and reliable injection molding solutions.
Country: Germany / Japan
Address: Altdorfer Str. 15, 90571 Schwaig, Germany
TEI: +49-911-5061-0
Website:https://www.sumitomo-shi-demag.eu
Products:
- IntElect Series: High-Performance All-Electric Injection Molding Machines
- El-Exis SP Series: High-Speed Machines for the Packaging Industry
- Systec Servo Series: Servo-Hydraulic Injection Molding Machines
- Micro-Molding and Multi-Component Solutions
- KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH
KraussMaffei is a world-leading manufacturer of machinery for processing plastics and rubber, offering three core technologies: injection molding, extrusion, and reaction process machinery. Its injection molding machine portfolio covers a wide range of needs, from standard applications to challenging technical molding, and is known for its modular design, precision, and powerful process control.
Country: Germany
Address: Krauss-Maffei-Strasse 2, 80997 Munich, Germany
TEI: +49-89-8899-0
Website:https://www.kraussmaffei.com
Products:
- GX, CX, PX Series: Hydraulic Two-Platen, Hydraulic Toggle, and All-Electric Injection Molding Machines
- Netstal brand: High-Performance and High-Speed Injection Molding Machines
- Automation and Digitalization Solutions
- Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
Husky is a Canadian company and a leading global supplier of injection molding equipment and molds, with a dominant position in the beverage packaging (preforms and caps), medical, and thin-wall packaging markets. Husky is known for providing highly integrated system solutions that include the machine, mold, hot runner, and temperature controller.
Country: Canada
Address: 500 Queen Street South, Bolton, Ontario, L7E 5S5, Canada
TEI: +1-905-951-5000
Website:https://www.husky.co
Products:
- HyPET® HPP5e: PET Preform Manufacturing Systems
- HyCAP™4: High-Speed Closure Manufacturing Systems
- NexPET™: Flexible, Lower-Volume PET Systems
- Hot Runners and Controllers
- The Japan Steel Works, LTD. (JSW)
The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. (JSW) is a historic Japanese heavy industry company whose plastics machinery division is a pioneer and global leader in the field of all-electric injection molding machines. JSW’s all-electric machines are acclaimed for their high precision, high speed, and outstanding energy efficiency, widely used in the production of precision electronics, optical, and medical components.
Country: Japan
Address: Gate City Ohsaki, West Tower, 1-11-1 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0032, Japan
TEI: +81-3-5745-2061
Website:https://www.jsw.co.jp/en/
Products:
- J-AD Series: Advanced All-Electric Injection Molding Machines
- Large-Scale All-Electric Machines
- Vertical All-Electric Machines
- Magnesium Alloy Injection Molding Machines
- Fanuc Corporation
Fanuc is a world leader in factory automation, robotics, and intelligent machinery. Its ROBOSHOT series of all-electric injection molding machines is world-renowned for its extreme precision, repeatability, and reliable long-term performance. Fanuc leverages its core strengths in CNC and servo motor technology to provide powerful solutions for the precision molding sector.
Country: Japan
Address: 3580, Shibokusa, Oshino-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi, 401-0597, Japan
TEI: +81-555-84-5555
Website:https://www.fanuc.co.jp/en/
Products:
- ROBOSHOT α-SiB Series: High-Precision All-Electric Injection Molding Machines
- Specialized models for LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber) and MIM (Metal Injection Molding)
- Integrated Robots and Automation Systems
- Wittmann Battenfeld GmbH
Part of the Wittmann Group, Wittmann Battenfeld provides comprehensive injection molding machines, automation, and auxiliary equipment. The company is known for its innovative “one-stop-shop” solutions, offering customers a complete package from the molding machine to robots, temperature controllers, dryers, and central material handling systems, all with integrated control for efficient production cells.
Country: Austria
Address: Wiener Neustädter Str. 81, A-2542 Kottingbrunn, Austria
TEI: +43-2252-404-0
Website:https://www.wittmann-group.com
Products:
- EcoPower, MicroPower: Energy-Efficient and Micro-Molding All-Electric Machines
- SmartPower, MacroPower: Servo-Hydraulic and Large Tonnage Machines
- Robots, Material Handling Systems, and Auxiliaries