Insert Molding

Distinctive Plastics, Inc. (DPI) has a wide variety of unique injection molding capabilities that we can perform for our clients. One of the more complex types of molding that we have to offer is insert molding.

What is insert molding?

The term ”Insert Molding“ is a very broad term that basically means inserting anything into a mold and molding plastic around it. These inserts could include but are not limited to brass or steel threaded inserts, special machined metal parts, electrical connectors and lead-frames or plastic substrates for over-molding. Even our IMD and IML processes fall in the category of ”Insert Molding“. When we refer to ”Insert Molding“, we specifically mean the insertion of items into a mold for the purpose of over-molding with plastic.

The Applications of Insert Molding

For more than 40 years, DPI’s engineers have been tasked to convert metal parts to plastic, with consistent success. Often, we find that certain areas of the plastic part are not strong enough or stiff enough for the function that the part needs to serve. This is one area where Insert Molding comes into play. We insert machined brass and steel threaded inserts when pull-out strength is needed. We have inserted electronic connectors, cables & lead-Frames for connectivity. We also insert custom stamped steel parts where the wall section is too thin for plastic molding or greater strength is required. We insert machined steel or non-ferrous metals to increase the flexural strength of a part. We have inserted magnets and even wood and cloth–there are many possibilities available.

Insert Molding at DPI

DPI has four vertical insert machines available, one with a rotary table for higher production runs. These machines range from 28 tons to 66 tons, and offer the advantage of gravity to hold the inserts in place in the vertical clamp. We also insert mold in horizontal machines when we need to place the inserts in the A-half of the mold or both sides. In many cases, we use robotics for inserting and unloading parts.

Get in touch with us!

Distinctive Plastics, Inc. has over four decades of experience in technical injection molding techniques such as insert molding, and we offer full solutions for plastic manufacturing to a variety of industries. Contact us to request a quote or ask us any questions that you may have.