Secondary Processes

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By Jeremy Losek, Aug 31st, 2023

Secondary Processes


Secondary, Post-Processing, or Finishing Options can all be used to enhance and protect injection-molded plastic parts. Post processing can add functionality or simply provide a uniform appearance. There are a variety of secondary operations that customers can choose from to customize their product. The experts at ICOMold by Fathom have decades of combined experience in the injection-molding field and can lead customers through the process from design, to molding, to finishing operations. Injection molding secondary processes include painting, welding, post-mold machining, assembly, and packaging.

What are the Post Processing Steps in Injection Molding?

That depends entirely on the intended end use of the product and the type of secondary processing required. Post processing options can be anything from painting to assembly. ICOMold offers a full suite of injection molding secondary services to guarantee your product will be ready for use when it arrives from our manufacturing facilities.

Injection Molding Post Processing at Your Fingertips

ICOMold offers a convenient online project quoting system. Our injection molding calculator system can return a quote for your project in seconds. Simply create an account and upload a CAD file. The project calculator will return a quote almost instantly. An ICOMold engineer will then examine the CAD file. The engineer will confirm the quote and project viability. From there the project can move in to production.

Part of the online quoting system includes an option to select secondary processes. These processes include painting, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, heat pressing, heat staking, post-molding machining, pad printing, and screen printing.

ICOMold also offers additional, value-added services to help get your parts finished, assembled, and even packaged. Parts will arrive packaged and ready to ship out to stores and customers.

Injection Molding Post Processing Options

  • Painting: Painting is one of the cheapest ways to enhance the look of your product. There are various painting methods available including spray painting and powder coating. The type of painting process utilized will be determined by the chemical characteristics of the plastic and its eventual end use.
  • Ultrasonic Welding:  ICOMold’s ultrasonic welding process uses high frequency mechanical sound waves to create molecular heat between thermoplastic materials. This will cause the plastic to melt and form a molecular bond between the parts.
  • Hot Plate Welding: The hot plate welder uses a heated platen to melt the joining surfaces of the two halves of a thermoplastic part. Hot plate welding allows precise control of the melt temperature, excellent weld strength, and the ability to weld large, complex parts. View this hot plate welding video to learn more.
  • Heat Pressing: Metal inserts are placed into the plastic parts. This secondary process is done by using heat and pushing the inserts into the parts.
  • Heat Staking: This process joins two parts by inserting the stud of one part into a hole in the other part. The stud is then deformed with heat to mechanically lock the parts together.
  • Post-Molding Machining: Additional Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining can be done after the plastic injection molding process is completed. This machining can be used to remove flash (excess plastic), change the shape or texture of the part, or prepare the part for further post processing.
  • Pad Printing & Screen Printing: Pad and screen printing are used to place colored graphics on parts. This can be done for branding, labeling, or part number identification. Screen printing is ideal for adding graphics that require multiple colors. However, there are some limitations to the screen-printing process. Screen printing requires a relatively flat surface for printing. Pad printing is a versatile finishing option. Pad printing can be used almost anywhere on the part.
  • Assembly:  ICOMold by Fathom can assemble the parts if needed. Simply supply all needed materials and ICOMold will take care of the rest. Parts will arrive fully assembled and ready for use.
  • Packaging:  ICOMold can produce, assemble, and package your product. After production and assembly, the parts can be packaged into clamshell/blister packs, boxes, insert header cards, etc. The product will be packaged and ready to sell or ship out upon delivery.

Contact the experts at ICOMold by Fathom to learn more about injection molding post-processing options. Or visit our quoting page to request a quote for a custom plastic injection-molding project with secondary processes.

painting process for injection molding

Powder coating for injection molding

Hot Stamping for injection molding

pad printing for injection molding

Silk Screen Printing for Injection molding

Plastic Injection Molding Secondary Processes

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