Insert is a design concept. By replacing specific area in the mold with different design steel to achieve particular target. An insert inside mold could be considered as an additional/removable part. The purpose of insert including:
- Shorten the delivery lead time: While separate the mold into more small parts, mold maker can manufacture more parts “at one time”. Smaller parts could be manufactured by smaller machines, the qty of smaller machine is usually more than bigger machine. Mold maker could have more flexibility on manufacturing schedule arrangement by using more inserts in mold.
- Easier Maintenance in future: Instead of stopping the production and separate the mold, molding manufacturer may only need to focus on the parts requires maintenance.
Despite the advantage mentioned above, we shall consider the cost as well. Generally, the manufacturing cost of a mold with more inserts is higher than the mold with less/no inserts. The insert leads to additional parting lines on the part, mold and part designer shall communicate completely before mold manufacturing starts.
The insert concept could be used anywhere inside the mold if it is required. See table below for illustration of some common insert concept.
