Things To Know About The Amazing Insert Molding Process
When it comes to injection molding, there are several processes present. If you’re looking for the best process that can render amazing solutions for different types of designs and production needs, we will advise you to try insert molding. Keep in mind that there is another process available known as overmolding that you can try. Whether you should go for insert molding or overmolding is dependent on a lot of factors such as application of the component, its materials, complexity, and design. In this article though, we will be focusing solely on insert molding.
Steps Involved In Insert Molding
You begin the insert molding process by developing a customized tool so that it can hold or take a solid component or part as an insert. Once the tool is created, the insert is positioned into the tool and a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is introduced into the cavity of the tool, which turns the insert into a nice layer of plastic. The tool is then opened once it has cooled down and the part is taken out and examined.
It is essential to know that the insert can be a single part or component. In certain cases, it can very easily be a combination of individual components. Such individual components are properly set up inside the tool and then coated together with the plastic using insert molding process.
It has been found that using a combination of individual components and sealing them together is much better than sealing the individual parts separately.You get better flexibility, strength, and functionality with this method.
Uses of Insert Molding
The great thing about insert molding process is that it is suitable for developing injection molded products for virtually any type of function and environment. Many industries use insert molding for creating parts and components such as consumer products, aerospace, automobile, medical, defense, electronics, and many others.
Advantages of Using Insert Molding
Cost and design benefits are some of the key reasons why people prefer to use insert molding for developing parts and components. Insert molding is also preferred because at times, it is known for improving manufacturability as well. How? It achieves that by replacing post-tool assembly operations like gluing, snap fits, using of fasteners, screws, etc. Durability is another feature of insert molding process. Secondary assembly operations are not known for creating strong parts and joints, something which insert molding can develop by enclosing a component with plastic.
If interested, you can get in touch with some reputable manufacturing companies online that specialize in custom plastic injection molding. Most such companies provide insert molding as well, which will allow you to include metal components in a plastic part. The possibility of creating amazing products using insert molding are virtually endless.
