Two-Shot and Over-Molding – Makuta Micro Injection Molding

The video above shows a new, highly automated cell that injection molds micro valves for a drug delivery device. The 2-shot medical part (shown below) being molded combines a PP body (first shot) with a soft, TPE overmolded tip (second shot). The cell includes: advanced Sumitomo all-electric 2-shot injection molding machines with sophisticated process/quality control capabilities; proprietary production monitoring cameras and systems; and customized, precision robotics, automation and packaging systems.

Makuta Micro Molding produces millions of two-shot and over-molded micro parts annually. These high-precision multi-shot injection molded parts, which are used in the medical, drug-delivery and testing, office automation and automotive industries, include:

Parts with two different colors
Parts with different materials such as ABS plus clear PC for illumination purposes
Over-molded parts that combine dissimilar materials such as hard PC combined with soft TPE (thermoplastic elastomer or rubber)

Makuta’s two-shot micro molding expertise expands the capabilities of product designers by allowing this technology to be used in smaller and smaller parts. Expensive insert-molded parts can sometimes be replaced with our 2-shot technology, and secondary processes can often be eliminated resulting in reduced cost per part for our customers.

High-precision micro two-shot and over-molding requires specialized design and tooling expertise as well as specialized molding machines and technology. Makuta uses Sumitomo injection molding machines in combination with proprietary Sansyu-developed technology.

This complex two-shot micro injection molded component, which combines hard PC and soft TPE, is part of a microfluidics medical device used in point-of-care testing.