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Insert Molding Service

We provide professional insert molding services, integrating metal inserts into precision-molded plastics to produce strong, durable, and assembly-ready components for multiple industries. Our process supports both rapid prototyping and full-scale production with consistent quality and accuracy.al inserts into molded plastics for robust and durable parts suitable for various industries.

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Precision machined metal parts for engineering applications.

Bring your product ideas to life quickly and accurately with our expert prototyping services.

Why Choose Lewei Precision for Insert Molding Services

Lewei Precision delivers reliable insert molding services designed for engineers, product teams, and manufacturers who need strong, accurate, and production-ready plastic components. Our experience, certified processes, and engineering-driven approach ensure consistent quality from prototyping through full-scale production.

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Precision Insert Placement

Accurate positioning of metal and custom inserts ensures superior strength, repeatability, and dimensional consistency in every molded part.

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Prototype to Production Scalability

Flexible insert molding services support low-volume prototypes, bridge tooling, and high-volume production without changing suppliers.

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Engineering & DFM Support

Experienced engineers provide design-for-manufacturing feedback, material compatibility guidance, and mold optimization to reduce risk and cost.

What Is Insert Molding?

Lewei Precision

Insert molding is a specialized injection molding process where metal, plastic, or engineered inserts are placed into a mold cavity before molten plastic is injected. During molding, the plastic flows around the insert and solidifies, creating a strong, permanent bond without the need for secondary assembly. Unlike traditional injection molding, which produces fully plastic parts, insert molding services allow multiple materials to be combined into a single, functional component in one manufacturing step.

By permanently encapsulating inserts during molding, insert molding services deliver parts with enhanced mechanical strength, improved wear resistance, and reliable electrical or structural performance. The process reduces part weight compared to all-metal components while increasing durability over assembled parts. These functional and structural advantages make insert molding an ideal solution for applications that demand precision, long-term reliability, and production-ready performance across industries such as automotive, electronics, medical devices, and industrial equipment.

Metal mold with plastic injection component

Surface Finish Options for Insert Molding Services

Surface finishes play an important role in both the appearance and performance of insert molded parts. With professional insert molding services, surface finishes can be achieved directly through mold textures or applied after molding to enhance durability, aesthetics, and functionality. The right finish helps improve wear resistance, grip, corrosion protection, and overall product appeal without compromising part integrity.

Smooth Mold Finish

Achieved directly from polished mold surfaces, ideal for clean, cosmetic parts requiring a uniform appearance.

Textured Finish

Mold-applied textures improve grip, reduce glare, and hide minor surface marks on visible components.

Matte Finish

A low-gloss surface that provides a refined look while minimizing fingerprints and surface reflections.

Painting & Coating

Applied post-molding to enhance color, surface protection, and environmental resistance.

Plating (Exposed Inserts)

Metal inserts can be plated to improve corrosion resistance, conductivity, or visual appeal.

Laser Marking

Permanent, high-precision markings for part identification, branding, or traceability without affecting dimensions.

Insert Molding Process at Lewei Precision

Insert Preparation & Placement

Metal or custom inserts are precisely positioned in the mold using fixtures or automation to ensure accurate alignment and repeatable results.

Plastic Injection & Encapsulation

Molten thermoplastic is injected under controlled conditions, flowing evenly around the insert to fully encapsulate it.

Cooling & Bond Formation

The plastic cools and solidifies, forming a strong mechanical and thermal bond that permanently secures the insert.

Part Ejection & Quality Inspection

Finished parts are ejected and inspected for dimensional accuracy, insert integrity, and tolerance compliance.

CNC Machining Solutions

Lewei Precision
Prototyping

Prototype & Rapid Tooling

Our insert molding services support fast validation and early testing using cost-effective aluminum tooling. This option is ideal for prototypes, design verification, and short production runs, helping you reduce upfront costs while accelerating time to market.

Capability: Low to medium volumes
Lead Time: Fast turnaround for validation builds

Production

Production Tooling

For scaled manufacturing, we provide durable steel molds engineered for long-term, high-volume insert molding services. These tools deliver consistent quality, tight tolerances, and reliable performance across extended production cycles.

Capacity: High-volume production
Lead Time: Optimized for repeatability and efficiency

Materials

Materials for Insert Molding

We offer a broad range of thermoplastic and thermoset materials, each selected for its performance characteristics and suitability for different applications.

Plastics

White mechanical component on black background

ABS is strong, durable, and offers good resistance to heat and impact. It’s preferred for automotive components and consumer goods.

ABS Beige(Natural)

ABS Black

ABS Black Antistatic

ABS Milky White

ABS+PC Black

ABS+PC White

Black automotive engine part on white background

Polycarbonate is extremely durable and has high impact resistance, along with excellent clarity, used for bullet-proof glass and protective gear.

PC Black

PC Transparent

PC White

PC Yellowish White

PC+GF30 Black

Transparent engine component on reflective surface

PMMA, or acrylic, is known for its crystal clarity and weather resistance, making it ideal for outdoor fixtures and display cases.

PMMA Black

PMMA Transparent

PMMA White

Two black wall mount brackets with cutouts.

POM is strong, with a low friction surface and good dimensional stability, perfect for precision parts in mechanical applications.

Dark brown (coffee) POM 100AF

POM Black

POM Blue

POM White

Blue plastic industrial part with multiple holes

Nylon is versatile, strong, and wears well against friction, commonly used for gears, bearings, and other wear-resistant surfaces.

PA(Nylon) Blue

PA6 (Nylon)+GF15 Black

PA6 (Nylon)+GF30 Black

PA66 (Nylon) Beige(Natural)

PA66 (Nylon) Black

Black metal bracket with two circular holes.

Polyethylene is lightweight and has high resistance to impact, widely used in packaging and containers.

PE Black

PE White

Beige plastic mounting plate with bolt holes.

PEEK is renowned for its high temperature resistance and strength, often used in aerospace and medical implant manufacturing.

PEEK Beige(Natural)

PEEK Black

White gear and bracket on white background

Polypropylene is tough, has excellent chemical resistance, and is used for automotive parts, containers, and in packaging.

PP Black

PP White

PP+GF30 Black

Insert Molding vs Overmolding

Choosing between insert molding services and overmolding depends on part function, material requirements, production volume, and performance goals. While both processes combine multiple materials, they serve different manufacturing purposes.

VSInsert MoldingOvermolding
Process TypeInserts (metal or plastic) are placed into the mold before injectionA second material is molded over an existing plastic substrate
Primary PurposeStructural strength, load-bearing, and functional reinforcementImproved grip, sealing, comfort, or aesthetics
Assembly RequirementNo secondary assembly requiredTypically requires a two-step molding process
Material CombinationPlastic molded around metal or rigid insertsSoft materials (TPE, rubber) molded over rigid plastics
Mechanical StrengthHigh strength and durability due to embedded insertsModerate strength, focused more on surface functionality
Thread & Wear ResistanceExcellent for threaded inserts, bushings, and fastenersNot suitable for threaded reinforcement
Design ComplexityLimited by insert placement and mold designGreater design freedom for textures and soft-touch features
Production EfficiencySingle-shot process reduces labor and costMulti-shot process increases tooling and cycle time
Typical ApplicationsThreaded housings, electrical connectors, sensor componentsTool handles, grips, seals, gaskets, consumer products
Best Use CaseFunctional, structural, and load-bearing partsErgonomic, protective, or cosmetic enhancements

Overmolding Capabilities

Lewei Precision’s wire EDM, part of our CNC services, efficiently crafts both simple and intricate shapes. Ideal for parts requiring high precision, this no-contact method produces minimal burrs and excels with metals like steel and titanium. Favored in aerospace, automotive, and electronics for their accuracy, we ensure tailored, precise solutions regardless of your needs.

Plastic injection mold with finished part

Capability

Details/Specifications

Material Compatibility

Stainless Steel, Titanium, Aluminum, Tool Steel, Copper

Tolerance

± 0.0001 inches (0.0025 mm) or better (based on material and thickness)

Maximum Workpiece Size

Length: 16 inches (400 mm)

Width: 12 inches (300 mm)

Height: 8 inches (200 mm)

Cutting Speed

Up to 300 mm2/min (specific to material and thickness)

Surface Finish

As fine as Ra 0.2 µm

Maximum Cutting Thickness

Up to 12 inches (300 mm) – varies based on material

Wire Diameter Range

0.004 inches (0.1 mm) to 0.012 inches (0.3 mm)

Wire Diameter Range

0.004 inches (0.1 mm) to 0.012 inches (0.3 mm)

Wire Diameter Range

0.004 inches (0.1 mm) to 0.012 inches (0.3 mm)

Advantages

Advantages of Precision Machining

Insert molding services offer clear manufacturing and performance advantages by integrating inserts directly into molded plastic parts, eliminating extra assembly steps while improving strength and reliability.

Applications

Applications of Precision Machining

Insert molding services are widely used across industries that require strong, precise, and assembly-ready components.

Quality Control & Inspection for Insert Molding Services

At Lewei Precision, quality control is built into every stage of our insert molding services to ensure consistent performance and reliable results. Before production begins, each mold undergoes thorough pre-production inspection to verify tooling accuracy, insert fitment, and process readiness prior to sampling. During production, in-process inspections are carried out to monitor insert placement, molding consistency, and dimensional stability, helping maintain tight tolerances and prevent defects in real time.

Before shipment, all insert molded parts go through final part validation, including dimensional checks, visual inspection, and functional testing to confirm compliance with design specifications. To support full transparency and traceability, we provide inspection reports, material certificates, and compliance documentation upon request. This structured quality approach ensures our insert molding services meet industry standards and deliver dependable, production-ready components every time.

Overmolding vs Insert Molding

Insert molding integrates pre-formed inserts, often metal, into a single molding process, creating a unified part. Overmolding, a multi-step process, molds one material, typically a TPE, over a rigid substrate. Insert molding offers single-shot efficiency for enhanced strength and reduced assembly. Overmolding excels in creating parts with varied textures and functionalities, like a toothbrush with a rigid core and soft grip. Here’s a video to explain the vital differences between these valuable process

CNC Machining FAQs

Insert molding is used to create strong, functional parts by embedding metal or engineered inserts directly into plastic components. It is commonly applied to threaded housings, electrical connectors, sensor components, and reinforced plastic assemblies.

Insert molding supports a wide range of thermoplastics such as ABS, nylon, polycarbonate, PP, PPS, and PEEK, along with inserts made from stainless steel, brass, aluminum, copper, and custom-machined metals.

Yes, insert molding services are suitable for low-volume production, prototyping, and bridge tooling using cost-effective aluminum molds before scaling to high-volume manufacturing.

Tolerances depend on part geometry and materials, but insert molding can achieve tight, repeatable tolerances suitable for precision assemblies and functional components.

Insert molding eliminates secondary assembly, reduces labor, minimizes fasteners, and improves part reliability, resulting in lower overall production and lifecycle costs.

Lead times vary by tooling and part complexity. Prototypes and samples can be delivered quickly, while production tooling is optimized for consistent, on-time delivery.

Yes, engineering teams provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback, including insert placement, material selection, and mold optimization to improve quality and reduce risk.

Insert molding services are designed to scale smoothly from early prototypes to high-volume production without changing suppliers or processes.

The insert is permanently bonded during molding through mechanical and thermal encapsulation, ensuring long-term strength, stability, and resistance to loosening.

Insert molding is widely used in automotive, electronics, medical devices, industrial equipment, and consumer products where durability, precision, and assembly-ready parts are required.

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