Insert molding is a process in which plastic will be injected around an item. This object is usually made out of metal, although this is not always the case. This technique will create a single piece using two or more materials. Common inserts during the process include things such as threaded rods and metal pins.
Inserts are thus placed into a mold, after a while molding will occur around these inserts. This allows for interests like helicoils to be molded in your design. Injection molding quote is often only possible if you order a quantity of 100 runs or more.
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Why Use Insert Molding?
Insert molding is used a lot in manufacturing nowadays. This is the case because this technique gives you loads of versatility in items. Instead of creating a piece fully out of metal, insert molding gives you the possibility to create an object that uses metal in the places where it is needed the most.
Therefore, insert molding is a process that creates durable and cost-effective products. These pieces combine the strengths of both plastic and metal. One could also install a metal portion into a completed plastic item, but this is much more expensive and inefficient than insert molding or using a CNC machining service.
Insert Molding Versus Overmolding
Besides insert molding, you can also decide to use a technique called overmolding. In this process, two or more different materials will be used to produce a single item. Overmolding makes it possible for producers to create objects that combine the strengths of different types of plastic.
A clear example of this would be a toothbrush, which features a soft grip and a hard plastic core. Both methods are used to create pieces out of multiple materials, but they are still completely separate techniques and used to create completely different items. This also goes for a different CNC service.
Threaded Inserts
Will you create an item that is going to require screws? Insert molding is then possibly the best solution available to you. You can use a threaded metal part that will allow an otherwise plastic item to have the pullout resistance and torque performance of a metal object. These pieces are created to increase its load-bearing ability, but also to improve the overall strength of an item. This is not the only possibility for this process, in essence, you can secure anything firmly during molding without any damage.
If you are interested in even more technology-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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