Despite its weaknesses, PP is still the perfect injection molding material because it has some unique qualities you cannot find in any other material. All these advantages make PP an ideal choice for an extensive range of application projects.

The second step involves the direct molding of a layer on the first layer leading to creating one product. A typical example is the overmolding of a toothbrush by forming a basal layer and then another rubber layer to the product.

The introduction of inserts onto mold cores cast using the manual or automated process leads to the plasticization of plastic pellets after closing the mold halves. Ejection of the pieces from the mold takes place after the plastic’s hardening, followed by the encapsulation of the inserts in the parts.

Polypropylene can retain its shape even after a lot of torsions, bending, and flexing. It makes for an ideal choice in making living hinges. It is not prone to stress cracking and can adjust by adding mineral fillers, glass fibers, or thermoplastic rubbers. Moreover, its flow rate ranges between 1-40 which offers better resistance to impact but lower tensile strength.

PP injection molding material is strongly resistant to moisture and chemicals like acids, alkalis, and solvents. But it does not offer resistance to aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. And under high temperatures, its oxidation resistance is not as strong as that of PE plastic.

Overmolding involves a two-step manufacturing process. The molding and curing of the substrate entail one step, while the second step is molding another layer on the former. Insert injection molding does not involve a two-step manufacturing process. Still, it eventually leads to molding another layer on top of a product.

Examples of application of insert molding include the addition of a plastic layer on top of the metal part of a screwdriver to make a plastic handle.

Polypropylene, abbreviated as PP, is a polymer made from propylene through the polymerization reaction. It is a thermoplastic synthetic resin with excellent performance, and is a colorless, semi-transparent thermoplastic lightweight general-purpose plastic.

The reason behind its popularity is its durable yet flexible texture which gives any material made out of it strong resistance to fatigue and chemical corrosion. It is a very useful injection molding material typically available in the form of pellets for this purpose.

As diluted bases and acids don’t react readily with polypropylene, it is the first choice of the manufacturers in making liquid containers. The material can manufacture the packaging containers of first-aid products, cleaning agents, warehouse plastic box mould, etc.

Insert injection molding greatly reduces the cost of assemblage and generates more than a thousand parts in a day is possible. Insert injection molding costs are reduced greatly when the production is in large quantities. However, overmolding involves two steps, and it is more expensive than insert molding.

The placing of rubber on top of the electrical wire is possible by the process of insert molding. Coating many products with insulators prevents them from conducting electricity through another body when in contact. Insert modeling makes this possible, and it is safer to handle electrical appliances.

There are several reasons why polypropylene injection molding is popular as the most efficient form of molding. It is ideal for the consistent and affordable production of a wide range of high-quality plastic components that can withstand any environment.

The cosmetics industry is another sphere of life that insert molding and overmolding cut across. The insert molding and overmolding produce much of the equipment used in beautifying and enhancing the product’s attractiveness.

At RapidDirect, we offer the best injection molding services with the help of expert technicians. We manufacture injection molded parts that meet customers’ expectations and even exceed them. Our experts are knowledgeable, and they will help you choose the best process for your project.

The overmold meaning is the manufacturing process that involves a seamless combination of numerous materials into a solitary part or item. There are two necessary steps in carrying out the overmolding process. The first step involves molding and curing a substrate that is usually plastic.

Polypropylene can be produced in both transparent as well as opaque forms. It is useful in applications where the transfer of light is vital or where it contributes to aesthetic value. If high transmissivity is required, plastics such as acrylic and polycarbonate are preferred.

The chemical formula of pp is (C3H6)n, the density is 0.89~0.91g/cm3, flammable, melting point is 164~170℃, soften around 155℃, the use of temperature range of -30~140℃.

Though PP is slippery at the molecular level, it has a relatively high friction coefficient and acts as a contact point for furniture. As a result, POM, PTFE, or Nylon are perfect for this purpose.

Insert molding is a manufacturing process that involves the addition of parts, especially metal, over the molded parts. It involves the introduction of inserts in injection molding. Manufacturers carry out this process before curing the product and help reduce the processes involved during assembling after molding.

Compared to other plastics, Polypropylene has a relatively lower density. It results in weight reductions for the producers and sellers of injection-molded products. Because of these reasons, PP can manufacture several applications such as food trays, cups, plates, and toys.

It would be best to also consider your applications before choosing your preferred manufacturing process. Some components made with overmolding may not be possible with insert molding, and vice versa.

These manufacturing processes made creating custom packages with multiple colors and special surface textures possible. Examples of such products include perfume bottles, makeup brushes, and compacts.

The applications of these processes either singly or combined result in the production of different products, including:

Before choosing between these two processes, you have to consider the overmolding vs insert molding difference. This will help you make informed decisions.

A closer look will help you realize that the processes and some of their applications differ. There are many benefits of using insert molding and overmolding. In this article, you will learn about the differences between overmolding vs insert molding, the application of each manufacturing process, and their advantages and disadvantages.

We also offer other manufacturing services, including CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and 3D printing. With RapidDirect, you can be sure of competitive pricing, automated DfM analysis, shortest lead time, and many more. Upload your design file today to get an instant quote!

Adhesives are unnecessary for overmolding. Therefore, the products tend to be very durable and flexible. There is no need for any types of mechanical fasteners during the insert molding process since the essential parts of the metal are present in the mold. Due to the materials used, products that go through overmolding tend to be stronger than those that go through insert molding.

The extremely high level of precision needed within the aerospace industry makes CNC machining a suitable manufacturing process for the sector.

Overmolding and insert molding are effective injection molding processes. They help to create various parts for an extensive range of applications. It is important to consider the overmolding vs insert molding difference before choosing a process for your project. The kind of finished piece you desire and its application will determine the process you will need to use.

Polypropylene is known for its sturdy yet elastic consistency. It acts with elasticity over a range of deflection but also experiences deformation early in the process. This property makes it a durable material which implies that it can deform without breaking.

This process involves meeting and injecting TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) onto an already existing substrate or plastic part. This way, a chemical bond is created between the plastic material and the TPE.

It is resistant to corrosion by acid, alkali, salt liquid and many kinds of organic solvents below 80℃, and can be decomposed under high temperature and oxidation.

If combined with other materials such as rubber, polypropylene can create an even stronger co-polymer. It is a customizable plastic used for manufacturing food containers since it does not contain BPA (Bisphenol A), a synthetic compound unsafe for human consumption. With so many versatile applications, PP is well-suited to a broad range of product types including furniture molding, ropes, tape, carpets, camping equipment, twine, upholstery, and so on.

Although there are many similarities between insert molding and overmolding based on their applications, certain differences exist. The overmolding vs. insert molding difference spans over the following:

For custom plastic 3D printing, a fast speed is adopted. It keeps the internal stress at a minimum level. In the case of surface defects, a slower speed is preferred at higher temperatures. That is why machines providing profiled speed are used.

These materials include toothbrushes, containers, and cell phone cases. Patio chairs and step stools undergo the process of overmolding before it is safe to use. Whenever you notice solid materials that contain numerous colors at home, they must have undergone one of these processes.

After obtaining the parts to be molded over the product, a secondary layer is obtained after inserting the parts into a mold.

The overmolding process reduces the manufacturing time. This is possible because it does not require producing the two pieces separately and requires direct molding of the second piece to the product. However, the process of overmolding is difficult; therefore, operators need to adhere to stated instructions.

Insert molding and overmolding, the sub-processes of injection molding, are cost-effective manufacturing solutions to produce prototypes and end-use production parts. RapidDirect has the capability to adequately manufacture these custom products across many industries. The expertise and experience of our technical team ensure that you get the best results at the most competitive pricing from your project. Be it consumer goods, electrical appliances, or automotive devices, you can be sure of the utmost quality.

PP injection molding is a thermoplastic addition polymer manufactured by combining several propylene monomers. It features an extensive range of applications such as containers of consumer products and molded plastic products for automotive industries who need auto molds. Since its surface is slippery, it can replace plastics like polyacetal (POM) in some low-friction applications.

The introduction of insert molding and overmolding during manufacturing processes in various industries provides many benefits; however, no matter the level of perfection of the material, it will always have a downside.

ACIS®, Autodesk Inventor®, CATIA® V5,Creo™ Parametric, IGES, Parasolid®, Pro/ENGINEER®,Siemens PLM Software’s NX™, SolidEdge®, SolidWorks®, STEP

PP is used extensively in household and industrial applications because of its unique properties and ability to adapt to various fabrication techniques. It can function both as a molded plastic furniture and as fiber. One can manufacture it through different methods for various applications.

The cost of production greatly reduced with overmolding. Some of its components include a rigid plastic base enclosed with a thin, flexible material that resembles rubber. The versatility of the manufacturing process is astounding – useful for various items used at home, such as toothbrushes, razors, and hand tools.

It is a colorless, semi-transparent thermoplastic lightweight general-purpose plastic. Polypropylene pellets are generally melted and injection-molded, and are widely used in plastic products, packaging, and automotive parts.

Insert molding takes time in molding another layer on the product because both pieces are developed separately. This makes it relatively time-consuming than overmolding. It entails a total product encapsulation in the molded component, unlike overmolding, which entails a partial encapsulation.

Polypropylene is a plastic polymer known for its sturdy consistency. Businesses around the world use this material for manufacturing storage containers such as water bottles and plastic boxes. The material is useful in manufacturing plastic storage containers, kitchenware, piping systems, medical components, outdoor furniture, plastic bucket mold, plastic toy mold, luggage, and even insulation systems.

Polypropylene is typically used by mold makers in refrigerators, housing appliances, hairdryers, lawnmowers, blenders, and automotive appliances (glove compartment doors, interior trim panels, mirror housing, etc), typewriters, etc. For processing it, drying is required for a minimum of 2 hours between 80-90 degrees Celsius and the moisture content should be less than 0.1%.

If you want to produce high-quality machined parts with a sleek appearance, it’s essential to consider some critical factors related to CNC machining.

As stated earlier, insert molding and overmolding are not limited to medical industries and automotive plastic parts production, but it also finds applications in various homes. Many of the materials used at home undergo these manufacturing processes.

While insert molding involves forming a secondary part over a substrate, 2K injection molding is quite different. Double injection (2-shot molding) is a highly specialized manufacturing process for creating complicated injection-molded parts. It is automotive and involves injecting multiple materials into single, multi-chambered molds.

Some of the plastics that can be overmolded include:High-density polyethylene (HDPE)PEEK resinPolymethyl methacrylate acrylic (PMMA)Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)PBTR resin

There are two ways to carry out insert injection molding – manual and automated insert molding. In terms of cost, manual insert molding is not as costly as automated insert molding. However, the latter is the best option in terms of consistency. There is a minimization of errors from humans, and efficiency increases with automated insert molding.

Due to the similarities between the two manufacturing processes, there may be difficulties in selecting the best process to use. Therefore, you need the help of professionals to help you make the best decision. In such a case, you can contact RapidDirect to get expert advice.

Gripping of tools used every day is now easy with the introduction of insert molding and overmolding. However, confusion tends to set in when comparing overmolding vs insert molding. It is understandable because the two have similar uses, and they are both types of injection molding.

But with advantages come disadvantages as well. Due to the slippery surface of the PP injection mold design, it cannot adhere to the surface of other materials. During times when it is required to form a joint, PP needs welding. This property makes it a substitute for plastics such as Acetal (POM) in low friction applications like gears or as a contact point for furniture.

Since polypropylene has high resistance to electricity, it is useful in electrical appliances like automotive plastic components. Because of its ordered molecular structure, PP is semi-crystalline. It results in PP’s stiffer and higher melting temperature compared to PE.

Insert molding and Overmolding both can produce various parts in several industries. Despite the overmolding vs insert molding difference (shown in the next part), they have common traits in applications.

Both processes help produce numerous automotive components containing both metal and rubber/plastic parts. One of the production processes of a battery includes insert molding. Other devices produced with insert molding include knobs, dash panels, motors, and handles.

When it comes to cold runner molds, the most widely used diameters lie between 4-7 mm and the application of full round sprues and runners. The diameters of a pin gate are set between 0.7-1.5 mm. The depth of edge gating is kept no lower than half of the thickness of the wall.