We are all looking to decrease costs and tooling time. Often, by looking at how each process works independently, we can find a way to refine our production methods and improve our processes. The use of over-moulding to decrease production costs is a case in point and here we describe how this can be done and why it may be suitable for your own situation.

Over-moulding is a process in which a single part is created using two or more different materials in combination with each other. The benefits of having a mould design which allows this to occur "in-situ", with one moulded piece fitting over the other, are the reduction in moulding time and cost and an increase in the number of parts produced by the same mould. Taking advantage of such a process could allow the mould to produce up to 25,000 more parts than it usually would, depending on its construction material and it may also reduce the requirement to have any subsequent manual work undertaken on the part, which further allows production costs to be reduced substantially.

This process is becoming popular because many manufacturers are now adding a soft exterior to their products for both technical and aesthetic reasons and so overmoulding should definitely be considered when looking to maximise revenue and tool time on your next project.