Apparatus and method for two shot injection molding and components formed by the method
A tool for use in an injection molding process. The tool having: a first part configured to receive a dose of a first material; a second part configured to receive a dose of a second material, the second material being different from the first material, wherein the tool is configured so that the first material and the second material are injected into the tool simultaneously.
1 . A method of forming a part via a plastic injection molding process, comprising:
simultaneously injecting a glass filled polypropylene and a thermoplastic elastomer into a first part and a second part respectively of a tool in order to form a vehicle door module, the glass filled polypropylene and the thermoplastic elastomer being directly opposite from each other so that they are only separated from each other by a composite mat, the composite mat being located in the tool prior to the simultaneous injection of the glass filled polypropylene and the thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the glass filled polypropylene defines a structural component located on a first side of the vehicle door module and the thermoplastic elastomer is a seal located on a second side of the vehicle door module, the first side being opposite to the second side.
2 . The method as in claim 1 , wherein the glass filled polypropylene and the thermoplastic elastomer are injected into opposite sides of the tool.
3 . The method as in claim 1 , wherein the composite mat is heated prior to being inserted into the tool.
4 . The method as in claim 1 , wherein the glass filled polypropylene is injected into both the first part and the second part, wherein the glass filled polypropylene injected into the second part does not make contact with the thermoplastic elastomer injected into the second part.
5 . The method as in claim 1 , wherein the structural component includes ribs.