When a customer is looking for a manufacturing solution for a new or existing product, there are many options available to them. The best way to choose the right one for the job at hand is to consider the benefits and reasons why the selected method will save both time and money. Overmoulding is one such solution that offers a large number of advantages over other manufacturing methods and techniques. Read on to discover some of the benefits of overmoulding that can save you time and money, while producing excellent, robust and aesthetically pleasing results.
Cost savings with overmoulding
One of the most important benefits of overmoulding is the money you can save on a manufacturing project. It is very straightforward to reduce manufacturing costs with overmoulding. This is because the process eliminates the need for multiple assembly steps and different types of bonding or adhesive materials. It can be done with fewer pieces of equipment and machines, thus cutting operating and maintenance costs. These savings can then be passed on to the customer. Affordable, competitive pricing will encourage customers to come back for more manufacturing projects that demonstrate the benefits of overmoulding time and time again.
Production efficiency with over moulding
Closely linked to saving money, enabling more efficient production is another of the key benefits of overmoulding. Combining technological advances, such as automation with overmoulding makes the process simple, organised and faster overall. This also helps with quality control, as standards can be maintained and checks ensured at every stage. The more straightforward, efficient process does away with complicated additional stages and keeps the focus more on the end product. This is especially noticeable when a comparison is made between overmoulding versus two-part assembly techniques.
Reduce material waste in injection moulding
Sustainability and responsible manufacturing has come further and further trot the fore in recent years and companies must be more mindful of how they use the resources they have available to them. Reducing waste and cutting down on what is sent to landfill is central to the sustainability message. Many benefits of overmoulding centre around the lower amount of waste materials that the process produces, and the easier methods of recycling certain plastics, or reusing waste products in a different, more environmentally friendly way.
Achieve greater design flexibility
Another of the benefits of overmoulding is around how the finished product looks and feels. Greater design flexibility and scope can dramatically improve the aesthetics and push creative boundaries in prototypes and experimental projects. Customers can request multiple colours, textures and features. Products can look more modern and appealing to today’s consumers. Meanwhile, designers can enjoy greater freedom when coming up with initial concepts and ideas. Overmoulding can also be used alongside other manufacturing techniques and approaches in more complex projects. Its flexibility and high-quality specifications makes it the ideal partner to slot into bigger projects while offering enhanced quality and long-lasting performance.
Performance and functional benefits
More benefits of overmoulding come in the performance and function of the products the process creates. Overmoulding can extend a product’s life significantly, due to the combination of a tough substrate and protective coating material. This also helps protect the finished component against impacts, abrasion and harsh environmental conditions. It helps eliminate risk of breakages or parts failure for the same reason. Softer, more flexible overmoulded materials help give the product a more ergonomic grip, which is especially advantageous for tools, handles and knobs. Depending on the materials used, overmouding can also improve UV and chemical resistance, and dampen vibrations, due to there being one component instead of multiple parts joined together.