Venting molds is extremely challenging because you must create a gap in the molding surface large enough for the gas to escape, but small enough so plastic does not leak out. A very fine line exists between gas traps and flash, and not crossing this line is a constant balance. As molds get more complex, [...]
The mold manufacturing industry is constantly evolving. As a result, options for overcoming complex mold texturing challenges are evolving, too. Our complex marketplace demands new and innovative design possibilities with higher accuracy and tighter tolerances while keeping production times as short as possible. For example, some projects may require depth or detail unachievable by acid [...]
Insert molding is when an insert typically made of metal is placed in the cavity prior to plastic molding around it, bonding with the insert to make one final product. Overmolding is quite similar, although the initial substrate is molded first, then, plastic is molded around it to create a two-shot final product. There are [...]
Automotive headlight housings have evolved from round, stamped steel assemblies to thermoset parabolic reflectors with diamond-like angles, covered with clear lenses. Today‘s BMC (bulk molding compound) reflectors are cosmetic parts with complex curves and shapes. Their parabolic surfaces are the aiming mechanisms for the light. With the move to clear lenses, any imperfections in the [...]
Improved cargo transportation and better international trade laws have made global sourcing a popular procurement strategy across the industry. There was a time when only multinational corporations would source products and services from the global market. Today, even enterprises without a worldwide footprint are also embracing global sourcing to improve their business outlook. However, it [...]
Overmolding is an injection molding process used to mold one plastic (commonly a rubber-like plastic called TPE) over top of another component (substrate). The substrate is usually an injection-molded plastic part, but it could also be made from various other materials. Overmolding is used across several industries and serves a wide array of purposes. Below [...]
Here are five considerations that a hot runner supplier and a moldmaker/molder should discuss when using fiber-reinforced materials, such as those with glass filler, wood fibers (lignite in biomaterials) and wool fibers: 1) Tip selection: The key with tip selection is maintaining appropriate heat as close to the gate as possible, while maintaining a reasonable [...]
Industrial designers working on public transport interiors were historically held back with some unique design constraints. The brief usually includes making sure the part fits into the available space, keeping it functional but lightweight, and only then start considering the aesthetics. As manufacturers produce lower volumes of these parts, injection molding isn’t really an option [...]
Over the past decade, soft-touch overmolding has radically changed the look, feel, and function of a broad range of consumer products. Abundant new color, texture, and tactile options are available in such products as toothbrushes, razors, power tools, cameras, kitchen items, hand-held electronics, and auto-interior parts. Driving this change is the increasingly diverse range of [...]
Today, there are many innovations in cutting tool technology. Whether a seasoned pro or novice, these technologies are new for everyone. New edge preps, coatings, cutting materials, digital capabilities and application methods are differentiators that help shops remain competitive if their moldmakers know how to use them properly. While moldmakers who are entering the field [...]