System and method for multi-material molding

A method for molding a multi-material part, wherein the method is performed in a molding tool, wherein the molding tool includes a mold cavity having an upper portion, a lower portion and a partition, wherein a cross-sectional area of the upper portion of the molding tool is relatively larger than a cross-sectional area of the lower portion, and wherein the partition has a cross sectional area substantially equal to the lower portion of the mold cavity, the method comprising:

• segregating via the partition, a first molding material from a second molding material in the mold cavity by disposing the first molding material in the upper portion of the mold cavity in a region between a perimeter of the upper first portion and a perimeter of the partition, the partition thereby bounded by the first molding material, and disposing the second molding material in the lower portion of the mold cavity;
• forming a first molded portion of the multi-material part from the first molding material;
• flowing the second molding material through the partition to the first molded portion by actuating the partition to move downwardly, applying pressure to the second molding material, wherein the second molding material flows to a region formerly occupied by the partition, and is thereby bounded by the first molded portion;
• and
• forming a second molded portion of the multi-material part from the second molding material, the first molded portion and the second molded portion sharing a common interface.