Thread creation

IMTEC®

Reinforcement of plastic parts. With IMTEC® high-strength thread inserts for in-moulding.

 

A strong joint

IMTEC® refers to "In-Moulding Technology" and describes the in-moulding of metal thread inserts with plastics.

Plastics offer many advantages, especially in combination with metal since low weight and high strength are combined. The innovative IMTEC® moulded inserts are particularly suitable for thermoset and thermoplastic materials as well as CFRP composites.

This product is made by Böllhoff

Method / principle

IMTEC® offers wear-free, resilient metal threads in high-quality plastic components. Before the part is produced, the IMTEC® moulded inserts are placed into the mould manually or by means of a handling system. Then, the metal inserts are injection-moulded with plastic. Only the core pins of the injection mould have to be geometrically adapted to the IMTEC® moulded inserts.

Applications

The IMTEC® moulded inserts can be used in many different areas, including medical technology, the automotive industry, plastics engineering and fluid technology.

Product benefits
  • Reduced component weight
  • Improved corrosion resistance
  • Component cleanliness

Product benefits

There are many good reasons for using our products.

Strength and options.
Point by point.

Improved corrosion protection

Corrosion and acid resistant due to the use of stainless steel 1.4301/10. Therefore, no potential difference to carbon fibres exists for instance.

Component cleanliness

Keeping it clean. The high surface quality reduces residual dirt to a minimum.

Detailed description

 

The hybrid solution

IMTEC® is used for forming, particularly in injection moulding (here in-moulding technology). For the manufacture of plastics-metal components (hybrid parts), a system composed of injection moulding machine, injection mould and optionally automation technology is required. The injection mould preferably made of steel consists of several components and different single parts. Only the core pins of the injection moulds have to be geometrically adapted to the IMTEC® moulded inserts to achieve great accuracy and reproducibility.
The thread inserts are placed into the mould manually or by means of a handling system (figure 1, example of a plastic handle). Due to the forming process, the thread inserts are also sufficiently magnetised and can therefore be securely placed on magnetic core pins.
In the next step, the mould is closed (figure 2) and a precisely measured amount of the plasticised plastic material is injected into the cavities of the injection mould under high pressure and at high speed (figure 3). Until the liquid core of the moulding material has cooled down and become solid, the component remains in the mould. After the end of the residual cooling time, the clamping unit opens the mould and the component is ejected (figure 4).

IMTEC® CO installation – example of a plastic handle

1) Placing on core pin of the injection mould
2) Mould closing
3) Injection of plasticised material into the mould
4) Component after ejection

Product variants

Every project deserves a tailor-made solution.

Learn more about the product types and find the right variant for your particular application.

IMTEC® CO

The IMTEC® CO thread insert for in-moulding is an asymmetric rolled stainless steel A2 (option A4) wire which is mainly used for customer components with blind hole threads. That wire is coiled to form a fixed bushing with at least one flange-type extension. In the forming process, the fasteners are also sufficiently magnetised and can be placed on magnetic core pins.

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IMTEC® CF

The IMTEC® CF thread inserts with double flange are produced from steel by cold forming. The in-moulding technology requires particularly accurate thread inserts. The deformation area on the IMTEC® CF allows precise adjustment of the length of the thread insert according to the mould dimension. Upon closing, the parts of the mould compress the IMTEC® CF and precisely adjust the length of the component (L ± 0.15 mm). They are primarily intended for components with through-hole threads.

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IMTEC® HR

The IMTEC® HR thread insert for in-moulding processes results in high-performance semi-structural and structural composite parts.

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Downloads

Find out more: related downloads.

If you would like to know more, simply download the relevant brochures.

Title Language Version File Download
IMTEC®
Thread inserts for in-moulding processes
English 08/2022 2912 kB / PDF
English 08/2022 2912 kb / PDF
IMTEC® HR
High mechanical Resistance fastener for composite materials
English 02/2018 528 kB / PDF
English 02/2018 528 kb / PDF

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