Proto Labs Inc., an online and technology-enabled quick-turn manufacturer, says it has launched its insert molding service, expanding on the company’s rapid injection molding offerings. The company says that its new capability can produce 25 to 10,000-plus insert-molded parts in 15 days or less.

protoInsert molding is the process of overmolding thermoplastic material around a preformed component (an insert) to create a finished part that incorporates multiple materials. The inserts are generally metal parts that are used to reinforce the mechanical properties of the plastic part. The metal inserts are placed into the mold to form the part.

A variety of components are manufactured with insert molding, such as electronic parts, medical equipment, housings, knobs, handles and dials, and are found in several industries, such as medical, automotive, and consumer products. The company says that product designers and engineers frequently turn to insert molding for improving part strength while trimming part weight and reducing assembly costs, production time and labor.