Process for producing an overmolded part in an injection molding apparatus

An injection molding apparatus to form an overmolded part, the apparatus comprising

• a movable part having a lower surface;
• and
• a stationary part having a top surface, wherein the movable part and the stationary part are operably coupled,
• wherein a mold cavity is defined between the stationary part and the movable part, and the mold cavity is configured to receive a laminate;
• wherein the movable part is configured to move toward the stationary part, to form the laminate into a shape defined by the mold cavity and thereby form a shaped laminate, such that the shaped laminate has a top surface that faces the movable part and a lower surface in contact with the top surface of the stationary part;
• wherein the movable part is configured for being retracted from the shaped laminate to define a first injection gap, having a selected thickness, between the lower surface of movable part and the top surface of shaped laminate;
• and
• wherein the apparatus is configured to inject a top shot of molding material into the first injection gap, over the top surface of the shaped laminate, to thereby form a top structure against the top surface of the shaped laminate, and thereby form the overmolded part.