Injection Molding Archives

08 May

Combining Two Different Plastic Materials by Overmolding

Overmolding is a very useful plastic injection molding process for producing multi-material parts with some unique functional and cosmetic properties. For example, overmolding can be used to add features of a different material to a handle or grip. Think of a power tool with grip pads made out of a softer, “grippier” material than the body of the handle. Or a gaming controller with some features made of a different material than the main controller body. We overmolded the tire showroom [...]

By sarahbain All Posts, Injection Molding injection molding secondary process, overmolded plastic, overmolding

08 May

Now Offering Compression Molded Rubber Parts

We are pleased to announce that we are now offering compression molding of custom rubber parts. Compression molding is now the 4th custom manufacturing process we offer, complementing injection molding, CNC machining and urethane casting. Compression molding is the process where a heated rubber material (the charge) is placed in one side of a mold, then the other side of the mold is clamped down, and the rubber material is compressed into the desired shape. One of the biggest benefits of compression [...]

By sarahbain All Posts, Injection Molding compression molded rubber, compression molding, custom rubber parts

08 May

Part Design Guidelines for the Plastic Injection Molding Process

For design engineers who are new to designing for plastic injection molding, there can be a knowledge gap in making sure the CAD model is properly designed for this manufacturing process. There are certain, very specific design features that must be considered in the design stage in order to avoid moldability issues that can produce undesirable results in the molded parts. If they’re not considered from the beginning of the design process, and they’re not discovered until the Design For [...]

By sarahbain All Posts, Injection Molding design guidelines, dfm, injection molding design, plastic part design

08 May

Case Study: An Inventor’s Product Development Journey

The SlingBaron: World’s First Twirling Harmonica Dryer An inventor’s journey through the product development cycle can be very difficult, time-consuming and costly. It was all three for Mike J. Baron, inventor of the SlingBaron, the world’s first twirling harmonica dryer. Mike is a longtime inventor and harmonica player who combined these two talents to develop a problem-solving product and bring it to market. The development process wasn’t easy for Mike, but his persistence and belief in his product drove him to continually [...]

By sarahbain All Posts, Case Study, Injection Molding product development, prototype, SlingBaron

08 May

A Customer Success Story: Leprecon

For three decades, Leprecon has been providing lighting control, dimming and interfacing solutions for the performance industry. Their lighting control consoles contain many control switches, and some of the switches have plastic caps on them. Over the years, the availability of these switch caps was inconsistent and, finally, the last cap supplier closed its doors. Leprecon decided to get their own caps injection molded, so that’s when they came to us for a solution that would reduce the number of [...]

By sarahbain All Posts, Case Study, Injection Molding case study, customer case study, customer success story

08 May

How to Choose the Right Production Process

You’ll most likely need a different production process for your plastic parts if you’re at the beginning stage of product development, compared to being at the final stage, ready for production parts. Regardless of where you’re at in the process, we’ll help you understand the differences between the various production methods and choose the best one. The various processes vary by quantity of parts needed, cost, speed and other factors. Here are the manufacturing processes we offer: Urethane Casting: Fast, inexpensive [...]

By sarahbain All Posts, CNC, Injection Molding, Urethane CNC machining, injection molding, manufacturing process, urethane casting

08 May

The Smart Reacher: A Customer’s Commercial Success Story

Four years ago, Skip Perry approached us with an idea for an invention. His idea was based on his own experience having difficulty opening and closing the shutters in a room with a vaulted ceiling. So Skip invented the Smart Reacher, a plastic tool which screws onto any standard extension pole or broom handle to reach high windows, shutter louvers and numerous other uses. Fast forward to 2018. We’ve been manufacturing the Smart Reacher for four years now, and it is [...]

By sarahbain All Posts, Case Study, Injection Molding case study, customers, inventions, Inventor, smart reacher

08 May

How Colorants Affect Plastic Characteristics

There are many synthetic polymers available today, each with its own unique properties. Some are more impact-resistant than others, some have more UV resistance, and some bend more rather than break. Anyone starting a custom plastic injection molding project should have initial discussions with their injection molder about material options, in order to choose the most suitable material with the properties needed for the function of the parts. One aspect of polymer characteristics that doesn’t always get the consideration it [...]

By sarahbain All Posts, Injection Molding colorants, colored plastic, plastic properties

08 May

5 Benefits to Custom Injection Molding

You may not even think about it because it’s so commonplace, but custom injection molded plastics are all around you and essential to the products found in your homes, businesses, and automobiles. This low-cost process produces high quality parts in large quantities. But what do you really know about injection molded plastics and the process? Here are five facts to help you better understand this process and what it produces. 1. They are customizable: Change the color or type of material [...]

By sarahbain All Posts, Injection Molding benefits of custom plastic injection molding

08 May

Keys to a Successful Molding Project

Our customers run the gamut from design engineers at large corporations to inventors with their first product idea. Their experience with plastic injection molding varies greatly. In order for us to get to work on your custom plastic injection molding project for you as quickly and efficiently as possible, here are some keys: 1. Consult with a design engineer and material specialist to assist with the development of your project. 2. Have a 3D CAD model (STEP file format) and 2D [...]

By sarahbain All Posts, Injection Molding injection molding keys, keys to efficient injection molding

Injection Molding

Low-Cost Injection Molding Leader

Combining Two Different Plastic Materials by Overmolding

Now Offering Compression Molded Rubber Parts

Part Design Guidelines for the Plastic Injection Molding Process

Case Study: An Inventor’s Product Development Journey

A Customer Success Story: Leprecon

How to Choose the Right Production Process

The Smart Reacher: A Customer’s Commercial Success Story

How Colorants Affect Plastic Characteristics

5 Benefits to Custom Injection Molding

Keys to a Successful Molding Project

ICOMold is a Leader in Plastic
Injection Molding for US Companies

Injection Molding

Low-Cost Injection Molding Leader

ICOMold is a Leader in Plastic Injection Molding for US Companies

ICOMold is a Leader in Plastic
Injection Molding for US Companies