Insert Molding
Insert molding involves “inserting” a part, into a mold and injecting plastic around it. Inserted components can be almost anything — magnets, screws, nuts, fasteners, rivets, tubes — and can be made of a variety of metals including brass, stainless steel, or copper.
The first step in insert molding, starts with design. The mold must be able to accommodate the placement of the insert into the mold by a molding machine operator or an automation process. In addition, the insert must be able to handle the extreme temperatures of the molding process.
With insert molding, engineers get more design flexibility and the ability to add features that could not be achieved with plastic alone, such as more strength and performance in critical areas.
Also, in many cases, insert molding helps part designers reduce the installation of metal components post-molding. Eliminating this extra processing time, labor, and equipment while reducing the weight or size and parts can make insert molding a cost-effective solution.
