Reel-to-Reel Molding

Also known as continuous molding, Ironwood Plastics has been in this business since 1996.

Benefits of reel-to-reel molding:

1. Finished product is shipped back to the customer on a reel. Parts are orientated for assembly, eliminating the need for bowl feeders.
2. Because inserts are shipped to IWP on a reel, there is less chance for damaged inserts before molding.
3. Inserts loaded mechanically- less labor.
4. Components can also be routed after molding to a stamping die for final bending or singulating operations to produce the final product.

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  • Material: Amodel (PPA)
  • Mold Style: 8 cavity, three-plate mold, reel-to-reel
    
  • Industriy: Medical
    
  • Unique Features: Aftermolding, parts are automatically singulated and the four legs are bent to a final form. Progressive stamping is selective gold plated.
    
• 
  • Material: Vectra (LCP)
  • Mold Style: 4 cavity, three-plate, reel-to-reel mold
  • Industriy: Electronics
    
  • Unique Features: Metal stip is 0.004" thick! Thin wall molding with slides.
    
• 
  • Material: Zenite (LCP)
  • Mold Style: 2+2 cavity mold, three-plate, reel-to-reel mold
    
  • Industriy: Electronics
    
  • Unique Features: Ironwood engineers worked with customer to come up with central strip design, allowing a right and left mating part to be molded every progression. Selective gold plating.
    
• 
  • Material: PEI (Ultem)
  • Mold Style: 6 cavity three-plate mold
    
  • Industriy: Automotive
    
  • Unique Features: After molding, parts are sent in-line to a stamping die that performs a final 90 degree bend in the lead frame and singulates the parts.
    
• 
  • Material: Nylon 4/6, heat stabilized
  • Mold Style: 4 cavity, hot runner
    
  • Industriy: Electronics
    
  • Unique Features: Delicate metal "finger" create a difficult shut off situation with slides. Fifteen different part numbers are produced on this tool using interchangeable inserts.