Two color ice cube box mold

Detail information of Plastic stackable crate mold injection mold

Two color ice cube box mold

Material : PP + TPE

Mold Cavity：1+1 cavity 

Mold Main Material：718H / HRC30-33

Mold Injection System：PP part 1 tip HR to cold runner

TPE part 1 tip HR to cold runner

Suitable Machine：伊之密UN260CG-BTP

Modern kitchenware requires a balance of visual appeal, ergonomic design, and material performance. Traditional single-material plastic ice cube trays frequently crack upon twisting or fail to release frozen cubes easily. To overcome these functional limitations, consumer brand manufacturers rely on dual-material 2K (two-shot) injection molding. A two color ice cube box mold combines a rigid plastic frame with a soft, elastomeric bottom, enabling effortless ice release while maintaining structural integrity.

As an industry leader in multi-component injection molding technology, Focare Mould has established itself as a premier two color mold maker, engineering high-precision tooling solutions for global household brand owners.

A high-performance two-color ice cube tray utilizes two distinct polymer resins injected sequentially during a single molding cycle:

Rigid Structure (Primary Material): Typically polypropylene (PP) or polycarbonate (PC), providing the overall frame strength, stackability, and handles.

Flexible Bottom (Secondary Material): Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or liquid silicone, integrated into the base of each individual cube cavity. This allows users to press from the bottom and pop out individual ice cubes without twisting the tray.

Manufacturing a durable two color ice cube box mold demands rigorous design verification, tight tolerance management, and deep expertise in mold flow dynamics.

Chemical and Mechanical Bonding Optimization

Achieving an unbreakable, leak-proof bond between PP and TPE requires precise temperature controls and cavity sealing. Mold designers at a specialized China mold maker perform advanced Moldflow analysis to evaluate shrinkage differences between the two resins, preventing flash, warping, or delamination under freezing conditions.

Mold Steel Selection and Surface Finish

High-grade mold steel (such as DIN 1.2738, 718H, or NAK80) is selected for both core and cavity plates to ensure dimensional stability and long tooling life (exceeding 1 million shots). Optical-grade polishing or specialized texturing is applied to the ice cavities to enhance product appearance and ice release efficiency.

Rotary System and Hot Runner Configuration

Depending on production machine specifications, the tool utilizes a 180-degree indexing rotary table or a rotary core mechanism. A multi-tip valve gate hot runner system is implemented for the rigid frame, while cold or hot runner tips supply TPE directly to each cavity base, ensuring minimal waste and clean gate aesthetics.

 Key Considerations When Selecting a Tooling Partner

To ensure seamless production startup and long-term tool performance, buyers should verify key engineering capabilities:

In-House Rotary Testing Facilities: The mold manufacturer should possess multi-component injection molding machines (e.g., 200T–400T rotary table presses) to conduct full mold trials (T0–T1) under actual production conditions.

Precision CNC Machining: Sub-micron machining tolerances for core-to-cavity alignment to avoid flash at the PP/TPE interface.

Comprehensive DFM Analysis: Comprehensive Design for Manufacturability reports evaluating wall thickness, gate locations, cooling line placement, and ejection balance prior to steel cutting.

Why choosing Focare Mould as your work partner?

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