See Why Chemtech Plastics is #1 in Multi-Shot Molding
What is Multi-Shot Injection Molding?
Multi-shot injection molding is a form of precision molding that molds two or more materials onto each other in one plastic molding cycle. The end result is an integrated part with multiple distinct aspects. Multi-shot injection molding is used in numerous industries, such as automotive, consumer products and medical – just to name a few.
There are two types of multi-shot injection molding:
- Two-shot (2K) injection molding molds two different materials, colors or components together in a single cycle
- Three-shot (3K) injection molding molds three different materials, colors or components together in a single cycle
Whether to use 2K or 3K multi-shot injection molding is highly dependent on the needs of each individual project. While 2K is more commonly used, 3K is utilized for more intricate items. Chemtech Plastics specializes in both types. We can help guide you in the right direction for your unique project.
Benefits of Multi-Shot Medical Plastic Molding
Multi-shot injection molding has a number of benefits. From a design perspective, this process accommodates greater flexibility to execute complex designs and features, and ultimately a stronger product performance. It also provides enhanced aesthetic benefits, since it can create one product with multiple colors.
Multi-shot injection molding also saves on costs and increases efficiency by streamlining the molding of two or more components in a single streamlined process. It also reduces error due to its simplified one-stage process. Since this process is shorter, there is less room for mistakes. Lastly, greater efficiency cuts down on product waste.
Multi-Shot Injection Molding in the Medical Industry
The medical industry requires the manufacturing of millions of parts per year. We are able to support this large volume of production with our advanced proficiency in this area.
Chemtech Plastics has formed strong partnerships with medical device manufacturers that specialize in surgical and diagnostic applications due to our leading-edge multi-shot medical injection molding capabilities. We have a strong background in medical manufacturing as well as the experience and resources to fulfill government compliance requirements. We have extensive knowledge of the application and use of medical-grade and FDA-approved materials, including PC/ABS, PEEK, and more.
Chemtech Plastics Multi-Shot Injection Molding
When it comes to high-precision molding, Chemtech Plastics is number one. Our engineering expertise and state-of-the-art facilities allow us to produce tight-tolerance molded plastics with Class A surface finishes for the medical industry and beyond.
We specialize in both 2K and 3K multi-shot injection molding. When your project requires two or more plastic colors or materials, we can design and manufacture high-precision molds. Furthermore, we have designed our molding processes to efficiently and cost-effectively machine the complex parts you need.
Ready to start your multi-shot injection molding project?
- Published in Medical
Crafting Change in Small Ways: Precision Injection Molding for a Safer Future
Embracing safety with precision. Discover how small details create a safer, more sustainable future.
Precision Saves Lives
In the world of automotive and medical devices, precision isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. At Chemtech Plastics, we understand the critical role that precision plays in ensuring the safety and reliability of every component. From accelerator pedals to medical device housings, the parts we manufacture have the power to impact lives. That’s why precision is at the forefront of everything we do.
A Commitment to Excellence
Our dedication to precision goes beyond meeting industry standards—it’s about exceeding them. Every component we produce undergoes rigorous testing and inspection to ensure it meets the highest standards of quality and reliability. Whether it’s a complex injection-molded part for a medical device or a critical component for an automotive safety system, you can trust that Chemtech’s commitment to excellence shines through in every detail.
Engineering for Safety
When it comes to safety, there’s no room for error. That’s why our team of engineers and technicians work tirelessly to design and manufacture components that meet the most stringent safety requirements. Our intricate mold designs and advanced molding techniques exemplify how we leverage cutting-edge technology and expertise to engineer solutions that prioritize safety above all else.
Driving Change, One Part at a Time
We believe that even the smallest parts can make a big difference. Our focus on precision and safety in everything we do, drives change and shapes a better future for all. Whether by reducing emissions in automotive systems or improving patient outcomes with medical devices, our commitment to excellence extends far beyond the manufacturing floor.
Partnering for a Safer Tomorrow
As we look to the future, Chemtech is committed to expanding our impact and driving positive change in the world. By partnering with us, you’re not just getting high-quality components—you’re joining us on a journey to manufacture a better future for all. Together, let’s continue to prioritize precision, safety, and social responsibility in everything we do.
Ready to join us in shaping a safer, more sustainable future? Start a project with Chemtech Plastics today and experience the difference precision can make. Together, let’s manufacture a better tomorrow, one component at a time. Request your free quote now.
Let’s start a project together. Request your free quote today.
- Published in Careers
Driving Excellence: How Chemtech Supports the Automotive Industry
Quality Precision
As automotive technology continues to advance, these changes promote the development of more complex and technically challenging injection molded components. Within these components are intricate processes and materials. Chemtech looks to support automotive industry clients in creating these complex components. With our in-house mold design, CAE mold simulation software, DFM analysis, a dedicated project engineer, APQP, and additive in-house 3D printing. This blog will discuss how we fulfill components and the processes that go into them.
At Chemtech Plastics, we produce several automotive components:
- Accelerator pedals
- Rain LT sensor
- Throttle by wire switch
- Optical lenses
- Occupant safety systems
- Lever stalks
- Multifunction switches
- Power window switches
- Directional components
- Light pipes
- Automotive fuel system components
- Audio/in-ear monitoring
Rain LT Sensor
The Rain Light Sensor is a 3-shot (3K) component that is used across multiple vehicle platforms. This component provides signals to enable headlights and windshield wipers, adjust HVAC temperatures, deploy Driver Assist, and other safety functions.
This mold requires a challenging 0.2-gram shot weight of clear resin portion. A specialized molding cell is specifically sized for this application. The mold opens once the first and second materials are injected into the mold. These two molded components are then rotated into position for the third material to be injected.
Following the process, the parts are retrieved and transported by robots into thermoformed trays designed for this application. This part is then inspected for blemishes or imperfections as it’s an optical surface. Chemtech has supplied this part for over 10 years, defect-free.
Junction Relay Box
The junction relay box is a complicated component, as it includes over 100 terminal pockets, and it can be difficult to get the material to flow into these small locking features.
As a part of the molding requirements, the Junction relay box requires hundreds of small mold inserts with very tight dimensional requirements. These inserts are extremely fragile and have a unique design.
The shut-off between two of these inserts can be a quarter-degree shut-off angle requiring the inserts to be machined and held in positions to within one ten-thousandth of an inch (0.0001). Maintaining and assembling these tools require a special level of skill.
2-Shot Housing Cover
Our 2-shot (2K) housing cover is used to contain the accelerator pedal for the throttle-by-wire system, which we can also produce. This part requires a specialized molding press to have the second material in the mold’s cavity and core side.
This is accomplished through a rotating center plate that captures a small portion of the exterior surface. The plate transports the first shot to the second shot position. In this position, both new cavity and core details are located in the first shot.
Further complexity comes from the first shot resin that is 50% glass-filled polypropylene and 10 mm long glass fibers. This material can be abrasive and cause steel wear. A specific aerospace plating is applied permanently to the mold surface to counteract this.
Chemtech Advantage
The Chemtech team works closely with automotive manufacturers to design and manufacture high-quality components. Our utilization of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies enables us to fabricate precise, lightweight plastic injection-molded components. These components have applications across diverse automotive sectors, encompassing interior and exterior trim, lighting systems, engine elements, and more.
Ready to see what Chemtech can do?
Let’s start a project together. Request your free quote today.
- Published in Automotive
