Patent attributes
An apparatus and method for molding multi-material parts. The mold has a plurality of first mold cavities interspersed alternately among a plurality of second mold cavities. A first molten material is injected into the first mold cavities and solidified. Cores with the first material are moved only one mold pitch to the second mold cavities where a second molten material is injected and solidified with the first material to form the multi-material parts which are ejected from the mold when it is opened. In one embodiment, cavities and cores are arranged in a column, and dummy cores on each end of a column of cores close off the injection nozzle in an end cavity from which a core has been removed for a molding cycle. In another embodiment, cavities and cores are arranged radially, and cores are rotationally moved one mold pitch with each molding cycle.