Thermoplastic Overmolding

WHY OVERMOLDING?

Definition :

Overmolding, also known as insert moulding, is very close to the injection moulding process, since it builds on classic moulding techniques.

This technology is used for both simple and complex parts and it is employed in a great number of industries and areas of application, including automobile, datacomms, electronics, telephony, household goods, aeronautics, cosmetics, designer, and many more.

The basic principle of overmolding is simple. It consists of positioning one part, part A (the insert) in an injection mould and then injecting a substance, material B. It is by filling the mould that the insert is overmolded with material B.

There are various types of insert:

• metal insert

• plastics insert

• composite insert

• treated and non-treated insert

With this method it is possible to make, in just one process, parts with inserts which, very often, could not be made using traditional methods.
Finally, with overmolding supplementary steps such as assembly or finishing are no longer needed, thus reducing costs.

Why overmolding is so useful

• Manufacture of sealed parts
  Overmolding guarantees a direct seal, with no need for external gaskets or adhesives, fitting the shape and overmolded material.

• Complex part fabrication
  In classic technologies such as adding (often by use of force) inserts to moulded parts, problems often crop up such as surface damage or the impossibility of added complex parts or parts with bends.By overmolding directly onto the insert, however, complex parts can be made without having to resort to joining two
  plastic halves or snapping parts together over the insert. This process eliminates problems of supplementary stages (such as supplementary moulded parts, mould design, assembly machines, etc.) and surface issues (such as joint splits).

• Appearance and design
  With overmolding excellent finishes are possible, using coloured materials and different textures while at the same time dispensing with assembly phases and surface finish problems, without forgetting reproducibility. The product’s functionality can also be guaranteed by the use of overmolding (e.g. curvature radius of a connector, smooth appearance, identification marks, etc.)

• Manufacture of parts with metal inserts
  Widely used in the datacomms, electronics and automobile sectors, metallic inserts are placed in the mould and are completely embedded in it or emerge from it depending on the required application. They are mostly used for carrying electrical currents (e.g. connectors, sensors, temperature probes, etc.)

• Elimination of assembly phases
  Assembly is an automatic part of overmolding, and there is no need to design or have a final assembly machine. This cuts down both total fabrication time and costs, while ensuring your product has even better quality.

Ever since 1968, expertise, innovation and our customers’ satisfaction have been at the core of GETELEC’s mission.

Unwaveringly focused on finding exclusive solutions, our R&D teams’ expertise and know-how are dedicated to :

• microwave shielding products,

• technical sealing solution,

• heat dissipation,

Designing, developing and implementing highly reliable and effective systems are our qualitative imperatives, going hand in hand with our customer relationships management.

From the initial project definition stages through to design and implementation of your bespoke solutions.

Our constant focus on developing and improving our quality assurance policies has meant that GETELEC has secured the award of ISO 9001 and EN 9100 certification, warranting our commitment towards putting our expertise into practice.