Overmolding is a manufacturing process where one material (LSR, silicone, or rubber) is molded over a substrate, such as plastic or metal, to create a single, integrated part with the help of rubber silicone mold and rubber silicone vulcanizer machine. The molding process involves placing a pre-formed part into an ovemolding mold and then injecting or compressing the overmold rubbr material around it. This overmolding injection molding method is ideal for creating multi-material components with enhanced functionality and aesthetics.
Overmolding examples: Hardware tools, Lawn and garden equipment, Sporting goods, Health and beauty products, consumer products, Surgical devices, Everyday household items, Car trims, Cookware, etc.
Silicone Rubber Overmolding VS. Insert Molding: Both are similar molding ways to produce specialized components consisting of two different substrates with tightly seamless bonding.
Overmolding Tool design considerations: Wall Thickness, Gate Location, Sealing Features, Material Shrink, etc.
Design Flexibility: Allows for complex designs and the combination of different material properties in one part.
Enhanced Functionality: Combines the benefits of both materials, such as (LSR Silicone Rubber+Plastic/Metal/Silicone)
Overmolding FAQs
- Overmolding ( insert molding) is a multi-step injection molding process to achieve additional layer resin to be added to an existing molded part, creating combination of characteristics like toothbrush handle where the single piece has both rigid and rubbery components.
- Overmolding VS manual assembly: seamless, tightly bonding and more beautiful,ensuring consistent performance and reduced risk of seal displacement.
Advantages of Overmolding LSR, Silicone, or Rubber
– **Enhanced Functionality: Overmolding combines the benefits of multiple materials, offering properties like rigidity, flexibility, sealing, and insulation in a single component.
– **Cost Less, High Quality Seamless and Time Efficiency: By overmolding addtional layer directly onto a substrate, no need for secondary assembly, saving time and reducing costs.Seamless and more beautiful,ensuring consistent performance and reduced risk of seal displacement.
– **Design Flexibility: Overmolding makes plastic parts and metal parts compatible with waterproof, airtight, and resistant to shock and vibration, enhancing design flexibility.
– **Material Versatility: overmolding is suitable for a range of materials, including thermoplastics, metals, and elastomers.
At Melon, the overmolding mold lead time: 35-60days depending on the complexity of the molded products, material, appearance, size tolerance, order quantity, and specific project requirements.
Prototype and production of overmolding is estimated: 20-25days Upon reviewing your project details, we will provide you with an estimated lead time.
- First is the client’s project specification: Melon as OEM overmolding manufacturer, Melon’s Engineer will work close with client to analyze the product structure and overmolding process in detail through DFM /Moldflow.
- Second is high temperature resistance: The molding temperature of over molding processing is about 150-170 degrees Celsius, which means that the insert resin must first be resistant to high temperatures. If the material cannot withstand high temperatures, the overmolding process cannot be carried out.
- Third: Project Need: Our overmolding experts assist you in selecting the most suitable materials based on your project needs such as chemical resistance, temperature range, hardness, flexibility, and desired physical properties need to be considered.