Reel-to-Reel Molding

Also know as continuous molding, Ironwood Plastics has been in this business since 1997. Normally, IWP will take on this type of program on a "turnkey" basis using our selected progressive stamping sources. Customer enjoy the benefits of dealing with one vendor instead of two or three (molder, stamper, plater). Other times, the inserts are supplied by our customer.

Advantages of reel-to-reel molding:

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

Material	Amodel (PPA)
Mold Style	8 cavity, three-plate mold, reel to reel.
Industry	Medical
Unique Features	After molding, 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
Industry	Electronics
Unique Features	Metal strip is 0.004" thick! Very thin wall molding.

Material	Zenite (LCP)
Mold Style	2+2 cavity mold, three-plate, reel-to-reel mold
Industry	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
Industry	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
Industry	Electronics
Unique Features	Delicate metal "fingers" create a difficult shut off situation with slides. Fifteen different part numbers are produced on this tool using interchangable inserts.