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Medium Volume Moulding

PMP currently undertake some medium volume moulding to meet their customers’ needs. An example of this is the life science cap and body mouldings which have pins inserted into the mould tool. This is a typical example of the precision moulding work that PMP complete. The project entailed a 16 impression mould tool with a pin carrier slide and fully automated pin insertion using air pressure loading of the pins.

PMP's Smaller Automatic Machines

The machines at PMP are able to meet a wide range of customer requirements. The larger automatic machines can be run semi or fully automatically for more detailed components.

PMP Setters - Paul, Lee, Shannon, Tony and Keith
  • 24 Automatic machines
  • The team at PMP will match your project requirements to a range of machines to ensure maximum efficiency and cost reduction.
  • Capability to manufacture minute precision parts to larger engineered components.
  • Quick set up times allow for reduced costs.
  • Production schedule allows maximum efficiency.
  • 22 ton to 140 ton machines.
  • Low, medium and large volume runs.
  • Our internal computerised works order system allows us to achieve on time delivery, track each order and achieve high machine/ people utilisation which means we are very competitive in our market place.
  • PMP have been accredited the ISO 9001:2008 standard.

Low Volume Manumold

  • Precision Moulded Products can run as few as 100 parts on a Manumould due to the quick set-up time. 
  • No need for expensive tooling and most of the process is manual and therefore does not need the complex tooling often associated with injection moulding. 
  • Material changes can be completed with the least amount of production downtime.
    • Components being moulded using the Manumould Process
  • Cost effective for conversion of metal components to plastic, prototyping and internal and external threaded parts
  • 8 Manumould machines

Benefits of the Manumould Process:

  • Low tooling cost.
  • Manually operated tool opening and ejection.
  • Process a wide range of plastics.
  • No problem with low volumes.
  • Ideal for new product development.
  • Can change colour and type of material quickly, resulting in low wastage.
  • Benefits from bespoke parts, e.g: can use any colour, mould holes and logos into the component.
  • Wide range of moulding variations available
Insert moulded mounting tubes

Insert Moulding

The insert moulding process general involves inserting the metal (or other materials) component into the mould tool and then overmoulding with plastic.  The inserts are designed so that when the polymer is moulded round it, a strong mechanical fixing is achieved.  A “shut-off” round the metal insert can be made, so that the metal can protrude beyond the finished component. 

The metal components can be inserted into the mould tool by an operator for low and medium volumes and robotically for high volume components.  Precision Moulded Products have experience in all types of insert loading

  • low and medium volume by operator loading
  • high volume by automatic loading

The Benefits of Insert Moulding:

  • Downstream Cost Reduction – the need for secondary post moulding operations can be greatly reduced by creating more complex components
  • Assembly made easy – high precision metal components can be incorporated into the mouldings to allow components to be screwed or clipped together
  • Component consistency – operator error is greatly reduced to achieve high levels of consistency and precision
  • Component complexity – a simple moulding tool can achieve a complex component by using a well machined metal insert
  • Size and weight of component reduced – by combining the physical strength of the polymer and the metal insert, the insert moulding produces a smaller and lighter component
  • Component cost reduction – as a simple tool can be used with the insert, this can lead to a component being lower cost to manufacture
  • Increased design flexibility – designers can appreciate the virtually unlimited configurations that the insert plastic injection moulding process allows.
Insert moulded testing probe

Typical insert moulded components

Many industries can benefit from incorporating insert moldings into their component design.  PMP cover a wide industry base including military, automotive, electronics, electrical, medical, life sciences, banking equipment, aerospace, marine, furniture, building components.  The types of insert moulding manufactured include:

  • Electrical and electronic pins
  • Electrical and electronic contacts and connectors
  • Switches
  • Mechanical assemblies
  • Life science sensors
  • Fasteners
  • Gears
Overmoulded feed wheel

Overmoulding

Precision Moulded Products have many years of experience with the overmoulding process. Overmoulding (mostly commonly with TPE) is the process of moulding one plastic over another one. This can be undertaken for a variety of reasons:

  • cosmetic (introduce an additional colour or a soft feel on a handle)
  • mechanical (create a seal)
  • insulation (electrical safety of a cable or IP rated housing)

The company have several plastic injection moulding machines capable of producing specialist overmoulded products ranging from Manumoulds up to 50ton Boy machines.  If you have a component which needs overmoulding, why not call Mike Knower on 01371 876681 to discuss this further.

Overmoulded wheels and shaft assembly

Advantages of Overmoulding

Overmoulding offers many benefits in safety, ergonomics, functionality and aesthetics, including:

  • Reducing vibration during product use
  • Improvement of comfort and grip
  • Making parts water resistant
  • Sound absorption
  • Improving product performance in use
  • Improving the “look” of a component

For further information on any process or component production, please call Wayne Baldwin or Mike Knower on 01371 876681 or email them on sales@pmpessex.co.uk