Micro Insert and Over Molding

Some of the most common micro molding materials we work with include (but are not limited to):ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene PEEK: Polyether Ether Ketone PP: Polypropylene LCP: Liquid Crystal Polymer PEI: Polyetherimide TPU: Thermoplastic Polyurethane PPS: Polyphenylene Sulfide PA: Polyamide PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate PPS: Polyphenylene Sulfide PBT: Polybutylene Terephthalate POM: Polyoxymethylene PSU: Polysulfone PC: Polycarbonate PMP: Polymethylpentene

Micro Insert and Over Molding FAQs

What is micro insert and over molding?

Micro insert and over molding are similar but distinct processes. Micro inserting is a process which molds a separate part, often of another type of material, over an existing part, such as a wire. Over molding entails molding one part and then molding a second part over it.

What kind of machinery is required for this?

Our plastic injection molding equipment is specifically engineered for insert micro molding and has twice the precision and repeatability as conventional molding equipment. This enables us to achieve tolerance targets on complex components that conventional molders cannot maintain; and streamlines the manufacturing process to create a more robust and reliable design for manufacturing.

What are your capabilities to insert mold?

We employ both manual and automated insert molding, and typically work with lumens, wires, marker bands, and needles. To mold over an object such as a needle, for instance, our operator will load the object into a mold tool by hand. In our automated process, we use end-of-arm tooling designed for the object to load into the mold.

What are your capabilities for over molding?

We provide full-service over molding. The process entails our molding the first part and then molding a second part, often of a different material than the first, either manually or with a robotic arm to perform the insertion. For instance, in over molding a micro gear, we will mold the magnetic part first, then insert a tiny bushing into the mold tool that we mold the second part over. With a 0.1 in-diameter bushing, there is literally no clearance and no room for error!