There are very similar between over-molding and 2k injection molding, simply explain there is two point difference.
1, overmolding is using normal injection molding machine to produce the parts, which means move the first part (substrate part) to the second mold to mold to get the final part. 2K injection molding is using the 2K injection molding machine to produce two or three materials (colors), molding process is simple and fast.
2, compare to overmolding and 2k injection molding, 2k injection molding has high quality and high production efficiency, but since the 2k injection molding machine is too expensive, so sometimes use over-molding to replace it.
Blow is the relation to overmolding and 2k injection molding.
What is overmolding?
Overmolding is an operation in which two or more mediums or substances are merged to form an item or alloy. An item that is overmolded is usually made up of the substratum or surface and the overmolding material. The surface could be glass, metal or another surface. The over molding materials majorly used are thermoplastics and rubber. During overmolding, the activity that happens is either mechanical or chemical which leaves the two substances bonded.
Over molding can be done in two different ways including the use of an injection molding machine and the use of the latest technology which is 3D printing. In the first process, the surface is molded first after which another substance can be used to combine the surface molded with the molding substrate. The molded material can otherwise be put back to the surface it was extracted from and the overmolding substance added. When using the 3D printing technology, two or more substances are jetted at the same time towards the item while building layers.
What is 2k injection molding? (Two-shot injection)
2k injection molding is a manufacturing process used when referring to molding two materials/colors into one plastic part. This plastic molding technology blends two materials or two different colours materials into one ending plastic part by using 2k injection molding machine.
2K injection molding
The chemical bonding process involved in this process takes place because they are able to merge two or more material into one part. When using 2k injection molding technology process, the material selection will be the key point factor to the success of the project or not.
This is an industrial activity that entails directing two totally opposite polymers into a ready product.
Differences between the 2K injection molding and overmolding
Overmolding is for some small scale production volume compared to the 2k injection which is majorly large production scale.
With the overmolding process, for another process to happen, the material used to mold must get cold to be removed whereas.
With 2K injection molding it is different. The polymer is usually still hot and flexible; hence more operations can still be carried out.
Once an object is made using overmolding it is locked mechanically with the other substances whereas it forms a chemical bond that entails its molecules bonding in 2k injection molding.
The 2K injection molding procedure can house diverse ideas such as the use of many different materials thus high-quality end product, opposed to the 2K injection molding procedure, the overmolding activity can have some compatibility issues more so plastics.
When overmolding, you are restricted to overmolding a metal with a plastic a few cases of a plastic and a plastic.
While in 2K injection molding there is a wide range of materials that can act as the molding substance or be molded on.
Advantages of overmolding
It increases the design diversity and also exalts the end product towards many materials composition.
There are less secondary activities or processes carried out on the end products. This reduces any cost of labour. Also, after manufacture, no more costs are incurred.
The parts have a high level of stability and constitution since after being left to mechanically inter-lock they become one.
Product overmolded using plastics have high resistance to vibrations and shock due to the plastic resins having been structured perfectly.
The plastic molding components are more reliable because there is no bonding at the manufacturing stage.
The end products are of desired quality such as firm components and eye-catching designs.
Disadvantages of overmolding
With overmolding, there are less available choices in terms of plastic compatibility.
There are no secondary practices carried out on the end products of overmolding. Activities and adjustments come to a full stop when the molding material becomes cold.
In cases where products are scarce, it is expensive to run such an operation. It also brings the aspect out in case the labour is not readily available.
Advantages of 2K injection molding
The parts are strongly fitted and molded thus components or rather end products become more durable.
The appearance in terms of aesthetic value or beauty is high since many colours can be blended in the molding stages.
There are reduced costs since all manufacturing procedures are completed in the injection stage.
Finally, custom made products can be made to suit the user’s preferences
Disadvantages of 2K injection molding
When such a process is introduced at once, the mold cost is expensive, and you must run this mold in the 2K injection molding machine, this machine is expensive than the single color injection molding machine, it becomes expensive compared to introduction through bits and bits. Ultimately, this idea is outweighed by the fact that the expenses will be recovered due to the lack of labor cost and assembly costs.
