Inter-mold® technology
Advantages
Increased productivity
The inter-mold® is an innovative process that saves material costs and labor.
It eliminates the purchase of hook tape, its dye-cutting, and labor to peel off
the protective film and attachment. In addition it saves inventory and logistics
costs as hooks are molded
simultaneously with the plastic part.
Improved reliability
Adhesives used to apply hook and loop may not be 100 % reliable. The adhesive
bond may be affected by the environment (humidity, temperature) or the nature of
the plastic resin (many adhesives do not bond to polypropylene). In addition,
costs for returns and replacement parts due to failed adhesives are generally
very significant - this can be detrimental to the company image.
Enhanced appearance
The molded hooks are the same color as the plastic. They are always at the
right location and correctly positioned. Moreover inter-mold® enables hook
fields with the same contour as the part geometry.
Environmentally friendly
Environmental rules in Europe and North America are generally very
restrictive regarding the use of some adhesives. The elimination of the adhesive
for hook attachment avoids this constraint. Also inter-mold® makes recycling of
the finished product easier since the hook and the product are made out of a
single plastic material - no disassembling of hooks are needed.
High performance
The inter-mold® hooks are molded simultaneously with the plastic part and
made out of the same resin, therefore the hooks are subject to the same
specifications as the finished product - such as resistance to humidity, high
temperature, chemicals and sterilization.