Overmolding: Combining Two Plastic Materials Into One Part
Overmolding is a plastic injection molding process which is very useful for producing multi-material parts with some unique properties.
For instance, this process can be used to add a second part, of a different material, for a handle or grip. Picture a power tool with a grip made out of a softer material than the body of the tool.
We overmolded the tire showroom display, pictured, for a customer. The “rubber tread” material was overmolded over the harder, blue piece that represents “water” in the tread. (Read this Case Study on our website).
Overmolding is not without its limitations. One consideration is that the two materials must be compatible, chemically and thermally.
Overmolding is not as straightforward as injection molding a part out of a single material, but it is a process we do very well. In our 13 years experience in plastic injection molding, we’ve successfully completed many overmolding projects for our customers.
Feel free to contact us and talk to a project engineer about your next overmolding project.