Description
Plastic Overmold
Plastic overmolding, also known as two-color molding, is a manufacturing process that combines two different types of materials—typically a soft plastic over a hard plastic substrate. This method enhances both the function and aesthetics of the final product.
Two-color molding utilizes a specialized injection molding machine equipped with two barrels. The process involves two sets of molds:
Core Molds (Movable molds) — identical for both stages
Cavity Molds (Fixed molds) — different for each stage
Process Steps:
First Injection: The first material (usually the harder plastic) is injected into Mold A, and the molded part remains on the movable side of the mold.
Rotation: The injection molding machine’s rotating platen turns 180°, aligning the movable mold with Mold B (the second fixed cavity).
Second Injection: The second material (usually softer) is injected into Mold B, forming the overmolded two-color part.
This cycle repeats continuously, enabling efficient and high-quality production of two-material components.
