Z-AXIS Expands Over-Molding Capabilities for Custom Wire, Cable Assembly Production

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Z-AXIS, Inc. has added a second low-pressure injection molding machine for wire and cable assembly production at its contract design and manufacturing center near Rochester, New York. The purchase more than doubles the company’s capacity for over-molding strain relief onto the custom wire and cable assemblies that it manufactures for customers throughout the USA.

Low-pressure molding is used to inject resins with relatively low melting temperatures into machined aluminum or 3D-printed molds. The low pressure and temperature allow manufacturers to safely encapsulate electronic parts that are placed into the molds. For cable assemblies, it creates strong, water-resistant strain relief that can be completely customized with respect to size, shape and material.

The new model KL-CX-01-2-09-1 low-pressure molding machine at Z-AXIS features a c-type shuttle table. This increases throughput by using two lower mold halves in tandem with one upper mold half. Workers can load or unload parts from one mold while the second mold is being injected. 

Z-AXIS supports its customers in design and sourcing aluminum molds, which can be used to produce up to about 100,000 pieces. The company also designs and produces 3D-printed molds in-house for smaller production quantities. This makes over-molding an economical option for production quantities in the 100s or 1000s.