What is Overmolding?
Benefits of Overmolding
In addition to eliminating assembly steps, overmolding adds value in ways that end-users look for and demand in the products they purchase:
- Reduced shock and vibration
- Effective oxygen and/or moisture barriers (seals)
- Dampened sound
- Electrical insulation
- Enhanced chemical/UV resistance
- A wide range of colorful, visually appealing exteriors
For OEMs, overmolding is a practical way to reduce production costs since it:
- Eliminates traditional injection molding process steps required for assembling individual parts
- Creates such a tight substrate-TPE bond that downstream finishing operations (priming, painting, coating, etc.) aren't needed
- Improves product quality and throughput while reducing waste
Overmolding Applications
Overmolding is extremely versatile and, therefore, very popular within a variety of industries.
In some instances overmolding plays more of an aesthetic role, perhaps introducing a contrasting color or texture. It may also provide low-level functionality, such as improving the handle grip on a toothbrush.
However, overmolding is often vital for promoting health and safety. This is perhaps best illustrated in the medical, automotive, and defense industries where overmolding protects the performance integrity of portable handheld devices, including:
- Surgical instruments and surgical suite equipment that must remain sterile and able to withstand harsh chemicals and medical environments
- Electrical applications that require weatherproofing, such as outdoor outlet covers or certain automotive wiring assemblies
- Handheld navigation and communication devices used by emergency or military personnel and subjected to extreme conditions and rough handling
Overmolding Design and Material Considerations
For many engineers and designers, the greatest benefit overmolding provides is product “touch” or “feel.” It is also one of the most challenging parts of the overmolding part design since there are many interactive factors to consider, including:
- Friction coefficient
- Hardness
- Thickness
For example, the thinner the TPE layer is (even if the resin is very pliable), the harder it will feel since grip softness is largely determined by the thickness of the TPE layer, not material softness.
Engineers and suppliers continue to develop advanced TPE grades that expand the range of capabilities for bonding high-performing thermoplastic resins to hard plastic substrates. Why does it matter? Not all substrates and TPEs are appropriate matches, so working within compatibility parameters is key in successful overmolding outcomes.
Compatible overmolding substrates include:
Importance of Prototyping
Overmolding requires a carefully designed, highly precise tool that can take months and hundreds of thousands of dollars to build. Factor in maintaining the perfect pressure and speed to completely fill the tool cavity and overmold the substrate without changing the substrate’s position or wasting TPE through overflow — and the need for prototyping becomes evident.
Working with an experienced custom injection molder such as Kaysun is imperative during prototyping. Tool design requires deep scientific knowledge and clear communication between designers, engineers, and production staff. In addition, frequent testing, adjusting, and retesting is necessary to meet the increasingly challenging production goals and timelines of manufacturers.
Overmolding Expertise
Not every injection molder can overmold. It requires specialized equipment, extensive training, deep knowledge of scientific molding principles, and precise control of multiple variables throughout the production run.
Even the slightest variations can affect quality, so experienced injection molding engineers, technicians, and operators are essential to establish process parameters and production design, as well as monitor in-tool conditions during overmolding.
Manufacturers that align themselves with injection molding partners that have these specialized capabilities — such as Kaysun — will enjoy the full benefits of overmolding, including quality, appealing products manufactured at lower costs.
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