2K injection moulding for plastic components
Top-quality components made from two materialsSolidtec also demonstrates its expertise in injection-moulded parts comprising two or more components. An intelligent process makes the production of plastic components using two-component or multi-component injection moulding cost-effective .
Given that production volumes are often low, fully automated processes and the necessary equipment are too costly. We therefore produce injection-moulded parts made from different components – whether hard/hard or hard/soft – using multiple moulds and the transfer moulding process. We use one injection mould per component. This makes 2K injection-moulded parts suitable for both small production runs and plastic prototypes.
Another advantage of two-component or multi-component injection moulding is that it is also possible to combine different plastic components with metal inserts .
Examples from two-component injection moulding
Advantages of 2K injection moulding
Multicoloured and functional componentsThe greatest advantage of two-component injection moulding lies in the combination of several materials. Two-component injection-moulded parts combine the different properties of several plastics in a single component.
This is achieved by overmoulding or co-moulding a soft plastic (e.g. TPE) onto an injection-moulded part made of hard plastic. The result is a two-component injection-moulded part. If additional plastics are used, the result is a multi-component injection-moulded part.
The process we use is particularly cost-effective. It is also suitable for prototypes and reduces the likelihood of defects.
Two-component injection moulding enables the production of multi-coloured and highly functional plastic parts, improves the tactile feel of plastic housings and allows for the direct injection moulding of seals as well as integrated buttons in assemblies.
Examples of applications for multi-component injection moulding
Ideal for the electrical, automotive or packaging sectorsOwing to its versatility, multi-component injection moulding is used for the manufacture of plastic parts in a wide range of industries.
Examples include:
- Electrical (individual parts, housings and complete electrical appliances)
- Automotive (e.g. covers, seals or ventilation flaps)
- Packaging industry (e.g. closures or lids)
- Sports industry (e.g. sports glasses or parts for surfboards)
The combination of different materials offers a wide range of possibilities. Get in touch!
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Do you need plastic parts with multiple cavities? Please get in touch with us!
Our prototype injection moulding service is ideal for functional prototypes and visual samples for testing.
Alternatively, there is rapid prototyping using additive manufacturing may be an option.
Frequently asked questions about multi-component injection moulding and 2K injection moulding
FAQWhat distinguishes 2K injection moulding from other injection moulding processes? Is it possible to bond any plastic part to a soft component? For which industries is this process best suited?
Find answers here to common questions about multi-component injection moulding.
No, this is not usually possible without further ado. There are many limiting factors here that must be taken into account right from the component design stage. For example, not every combination of materials is possible, as some materials do not bond with one another.
PP and TPE generally work very well together, and bonds between TPE and polyamides (PA) are also conceivable – in any case, the appropriate material combination should be discussed before the project begins.
We’d be happy to assist you with our expertise in multi-component injection moulding.
Two-component injection moulding, or 2K injection moulding for short, is a specific form of multi-component injection moulding. In this process, exactly two materials or colours are processed into a single plastic part during an automated injection moulding cycle.
In multi-component injection moulding, additional materials may also be used, for example in 3-component injection moulding. Solidtec manufactures plastic parts using both 2K and multi-component injection moulding.
2K injection moulding reduces assembly work, increases process reliability and allows different material properties to be combined (e.g. hard/soft, coloured/functional). It also produces strong material bonds without the need for additional joining steps.
Typical examples include combinations such as thermoplastic/TPE (hard-soft), different types of plastic, or plastic with integrated inserts. The chemical and thermal compatibility of the materials is crucial to ensuring a durable bond.
Plastic components manufactured using 2K injection moulding or multi-component injection moulding are used in particular in the automotive, electrical, packaging and sports industries.
Typical examples include housings, covers, seals, ventilation flaps and caps – in other words, components in which functional elements such as seals, grip surfaces or multiple colours are to be directly integrated.