System and Method for Multi-Material Molding
AssigneeArris Composites Inc.
InventorsSam PIRAHANCHI, Ethan ESCOWITZ, Erick DAVIDSON
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Abstract
A multi-material molding apparatus and method includes a single mold having, within a mold cavity, one or more movable partitions that segregate at least first and second molding materials. The first molding material is processed to form a first molded portion of the multi-material part. The second molding material is then flowed, through the movable partition, into contact with the first molded portion. That second molding material is then solidified to form a second molded portion of the multi-material part.
Claims15
A molding tool having a single mold cavity that receives a first molding material and a second molding material to form a multi-material part, the molding tool comprising:
- a top block, the top block having a male mold feature;
- a bottom block;
- a mold cavity defined in the bottom block, the mold cavity having an opening that receives the male mold feature during molding;
- a first partition, the first partition disposed in the mold cavity and movable therein, wherein the first partition is physically adapted to:
- (a) segregate the first molding material from the second molding material during molding of the first molding material to form a first molded portion of the multi-material part, and
- (b) enable flow of the second molding material to the first molded portion during molding of the second molding material, thereby forming a second molded portion of the multi-material part, the first molded portion and the second molded portion sharing a first common interface.
A method for molding a multi-material part, the method comprising:
- segregating via a partition, a first molding material from a second molding material in a 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;
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.