Lifespan Comparison
| Bushing Type | Expected Life | Lubrication Interval | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain | 500K – 1M cycles | Every 5K-10K cycles | Budget molds, < 500K/year |
| Oil-Groove | 1M – 2M cycles | Every 20K-50K cycles | Production molds, 500K-2M/year |
| Ball Cage | 2M – 5M cycles | Every 50K-100K cycles | Precision molds, > 1M/year |
| Oil-Free | 500K – 1M cycles | None | Cleanroom, food, medical |
Why Oil-Groove Wins for Most Production Molds
Oil-groove bushings offer the best balance of cost, lifespan, and maintenance. They cost only 30-50% more than plain bushings but last 2-4x longer and need lubrication 4-5x less frequently. For the majority of production molds running 500K-2M cycles per year, oil-groove is the optimal choice.