Insert Molding
Carefully inspect assembled plastic molded parts and you’ll often find threaded inserts. These small metal pieces play a critical role in holding together the products we use every day, from your laptop to a variety of hand-held devices. Installing inserts into a plastic part can be tedious. One method is to mold the plastic part and then manually secure the inserts into the part in the assembly stage. A more cost-effective and efficient way to install inserts into a plastic part is through insert molding.
Insert molding is the manufacturing process of installing inserts into the plastic part during the injection molding process. In the injection molding process, the mold is specially designed to hold the inserts in place, allowing plastic resins to flow and harden around the inserts. A completed part or inserted component is then ejected from the machine with the inserts installed. This process eliminates the need for post-production assembly and ensures a tight bond between the plastic part and its inserts.
Benefits of Insert Molding
Reduce Cost
Cut Molding Cycle Times
Save Manufacturing Time
Post-Processing Labor Reduced
Consistent Part Quality
Vertical Molding
Most plastic injection molding is done on horizontal presses, but vertical presses are beneficial for insert molding. With vertical molding, molds open and close on the y-axis, allowing gravity to do the work of holding inserts in the mold and eliminating the need for a specially made mold. This process reduces the shot size of molten plastic required in the injection process of the mold and in turn reduces waste and cost.
