Molding device, injection molding system and molding method

An injection molding system, comprising:

• a carrier having a plurality of molding stations;
• a molding device disposed in one of the molding stations, and including a position control mechanism, a first mold, a second mold and a third mold held by the position control mechanism;
• and
• a first injection station disposed adjacent to the carrier and configured to inject a first material into a first mold cavity of the molding device defined by the first mold and the second mold,
• wherein the position control mechanism is configured to individually move the first mold, the second mold and the third mold.

A molding method, comprising:

• providing a molding device having a first mold, a second mold and a third mold;
• engaging the first mold with the second mold to form a first mold cavity defined by the first mold and the second mold;
• injecting a first material into the first mold cavity to form a first layer from the first material in the first mold cavity;
• disengaging the first mold from the second mold by a position control mechanism;
• engaging the third mold with the second mold to form a second mold cavity defined by the second mold and the third mold;
• injecting a second material into the second mold cavity and over the first layer to form an article including the first layer and a second layer from the second material;
• and
• disengaging the third mold from the second mold by the position control mechanism.