Over Moulding
With the development of Over Moulding 3D printing, taking prototyping to the next level is now possible. This innovative technology combines 3D printed parts with polyurethane resins or elastomers to form durable injection moulded parts, making production easier and faster than ever before. This method enables customers to get multiple variations of a component, in turn resulting in enhanced functionality with minimal effort.
Process of Over Moulding
- The process begins with a 3D printed part, typically made in PLA plastic, which is then placed in a mould.
- The resin or elastomer is injected into the mould, cured, and hardened to form the desired shape or structure.
- This process allows for multiple component variations, making production faster and easier than ever.
Process of Over Moulding
- The process begins with a 3D printed part, typically made in PLA plastic, which is then placed in a mould.
- The resin or elastomer is injected into the mould, cured, and hardened to form the desired shape or structure.
- This process allows for multiple component variations, making production faster and easier than ever.
Benefits of Over Moulding
Over Moulding 3D printing allows customers to have multiple variations of a component, providing them with enhanced functionality. This allows for complex parts and components to be created quickly and easily, reducing costs and production time.
By combining 3D printed parts with polyurethane resins or elastomers, the resulting injection moulded parts produced are more durable than traditional plastic components. This results in long-lasting products with fewer defects or breakdowns.
By utilising Over Moulding 3D printing technology, companies can get higher quality components with improved tolerances, better surface finish and superior strength compared to traditional methods.
Furthermore, Over moulding provides many advantages when compared to traditional manufacturing processes. It allows for faster production times as well as cost savings due to the elimination of tooling costs associated with traditional techniques. Additionally, it offers superior material compatibility for components beyond what traditional methods offer. Lastly, it eliminates waste from the assembly process since all parts are printed at once from a single model created on a computer-aided design (CAD) program.
Applications of Over Moulding
- Producing complex vehicle parts and components such as door handles, switches, and instrument panels
- Creating rubber grips for steering wheels and gear shifters
- Coating metal parts to provide protection against wear and tear
- Manufacturing electronic housings and covers for different electronic components with varying shapes and sizes
- Producing keyboards and keypads with tactile feedback
- Encapsulating sensitive electronics to provide protection against moisture, shock, and vibration
- Producing complex aerospace parts such as landing gear, fuselages, wings, etc.
- Creating lightweight and durable interior components such as overhead bins and seating
- Coating metal parts to protect against corrosion and wear
- Designing and manufacturing intricate consumer goods in low volume runs such as phone cases, toys, and sporting goods
- Creating durable and ergonomic handles and grips for power tools and appliances
- Developing specialised medical equipment such as prosthetics and orthotics
- Designing medical devices such as hearing aids, prosthetics, orthotics and implants
- Encapsulating sensitive electronics for use in medical devices
- Creating soft-touch surfaces for medical equipment to enhance patient comfort and safety
- Creating durable and weather-resistant handles and grips for construction tools and equipment
- Coating metal parts to provide protection against rust and corrosion
- Encapsulating sensitive electronics for use in building automation systems
- Creating lightweight and durable components for military vehicles and aircraft
- Encapsulating sensitive electronics to protect against harsh environments and shock and vibration
- Producing specialised grips and handles for weapons and equipment
- Creating soft-touch surfaces for furniture such as chairs and sofas
- Encapsulating metal or plastic inserts for furniture hardware, such as knobs and handles
- Coating metal parts to provide protection against scratches and wear
- Creating overmoulded closures for bottles and containers
- Encapsulating inserts such as pumps and sprayers for cosmetic and personal care products
- Producing durable and ergonomic handles for packaging such as carrying cases and boxes
- Encapsulating sensitive electronics for use in industrial equipment such as robotics and automation systems
- Creating specialized grips and handles for industrial tools and equipment
- Coating metal parts to provide protection against abrasion and wear
Materials that can be used for Over Moulding
There are a number of materials that can be used in over moulding 3D printing, including thermoplastics, flexible rubbers, soft plastics, metals, ceramics and even composites. Each material has its own unique properties that offer certain advantages such as improved strength, better temperature resistance or visual appeal. This versatility makes it possible to achieve very complex designs with high precision by manipulating the individual features of each material for specific end-use requirements.
