Over molding a steel bracket

Question

Over molding a steel bracket

Chewy3000 (Automotive)

(OP)

3 Oct 16 13:53

Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of designing an over molded bracket or more like a lever. The lever is 6 mm thick and 20 mm x 60 mm in size. The over mold thickness is .7 mm. I would like to know what is the minimum draft on the mold? I ask this because I need to maintain a flat area where a pin rides. However, the area would be on a drafted surface. Would I have to add action in the tool to maintain a flat area?

Thanks
Matt

btrueblood (Mechanical) · Answer 1 · 2016-10-03 15:20:15

Depends on how elastic the overmold is, i.e. if it's closer to rubber, then you can probably get away with the flat (or even an undercut), if it's a harder plastic (e.g. nylon) then perhaps not. Talk to your molder about it.

dgallup (Automotive) · Answer 2 · 2016-10-04 13:31:06

You may well have problems filling a mold with only 0.7 mm plastic thickness. Depending on the material and the length it has to flow, it may freeze off before it fills. Heating your inserts will help. It's possible to have zero or even negative draft, need more specifics.

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The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn't included in this version of Windows.

Chewy3000 (Automotive) · Answer 3 · 2016-10-05 14:56:50

Hi btrueblood and dgallup,

Thanks for all your input on this issue, Unfortunately, I was pulled off this project for a short while.
I will get into the specifics later when I pick the project again.

Thanks

Matt

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Over molding a steel bracket