IO Forming Machines for Plastic & Metal: Versatile Solutions for Multi-Material Production

2025-11-27 09:45:05

Want to know how IO forming machines seamlessly handle both plastic and metal for multi-material production? Let’s break down their versatility and value in a direct, conversational way:

Are you struggling with multi-material components that combine plastics and metals? Whether you’re making automotive coolant lines with metal connectors, consumer electronics casings with metal inserts, or medical catheters with metal tips, processing two materials with such different properties  has always been a headache for traditional equipment. Legacy machines are built for one material—metal-focused ones crush plastics, while plastic-specific systems can’t handle metal’s strength—leaving you stuck with slow, error-prone manual switching or separate machines that eat up floor space and budget.

IO forming machines solve this by being true all-rounders for multi-material production. Here’s how they work: First, they adapt force and temperature on the fly. For metals (steel, aluminum, copper), they crank up the pressure (5–50 tons) to shape thick-walled parts without deformation. For plastics (ABS, polycarbonate, thermosets), they switch to lower pressure (1–10 tons) and precise heat control (150–300°C) to soften the material just enough—no melting, warping, or material damage. Even hybrid tasks (like bonding a metal insert to a plastic tube) are seamless, with the machine auto-adjusting parameters mid-cycle.

Then there’s the quick-change tooling. No more waiting hours to retool between plastic and metal jobs—IO machines swap modular tooling (heat-resistant dies for plastics, hardened steel dies for metals) in 10–15 minutes. You can even get custom dual-action dies that form both materials in one step, cutting out extra workflow steps entirely. And the best part? They automate the whole sequence. Imagine a machine forming a metal tube end first, then heating and bonding a plastic component to it—all unattended, no manual handoffs, and consistent quality every time. This slashes production time by 30–40% compared to traditional methods.

2-10 workstation shaping machine

Wondering where this fits your industry? 

For automotive, it’s lightweight hybrid tubes that boost fuel efficiency without sacrificing strength. For consumer electronics, it’s durable plastic casings with secure metal inserts. For medical devices, it’s precision components (±0.01mm tolerance) made from biocompatible plastics and stainless steel/titanium. And for industrial machinery, it’s corrosion-resistant plastic tubes with tight-fitting metal flanges.

Plus, IO machines align with the biggest manufacturing trends right now: lightweighting (to cut energy use), design innovation (enabling complex hybrid parts), cost efficiency (one machine replaces two, saves labor), and sustainability (minimizing material waste and optimizing energy use). They’re not just a tool—they’re a way to unlock new product possibilities while keeping costs in check.

In short, if you’re working with both plastics and metals, IO forming machines eliminate the frustration of mismatched equipment. They’re versatile, efficient, and precise—perfect for any manufacturer looking to master multi-material production without compromise.