COVER STORY
Injection Molding's Wild Side:
Multi-Process Parts
Multi-shot molding is morphing into hybrid,
multiple-process molding
By Jan H. Schut
T
he past three to six years have seen an astonishing
burst of creativity in new multi-process (or hybrid)
injection molding of multi-material durable parts.
Ignore the fact that some of these machines aren't even half
injection molding anymore. Big global automotive and electronics companies have jumped onto the new ideas, buying
into them even as half-baked R&D prototypes and pushing
them forward. The reason is big cycle time and material
savings.
Multi-component, or multi-shot, molding is morphing into
multiple-process molding. Automotive and durable applications in particular are driving multi-process injection,
KraussMaffei developed fully automated, three-press SpinForm molding of a complete washing machine door, which inspired
even larger multi-shot molding and assembly of flat screen TVs, and cowl panels, shown here.
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Plastics Engineering - May 2014
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Plastics Engineering - May 2014