What are Overmolded Cable Assemblies?

Overmolding is the process of surrounding a component with plastic. At Meridian Cable, we have experience with designing and producing overmolding for many different industries and applications. Our inventory of over 5,000 molds means our customers have a wide variety to choose from. If you have an item that you want over-molded, let us show you how it can be done.

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Overmolded Cable Assemblies

Delivering top-notch quality overmolded cable assemblies is what we are all about at Meridian Cable. With over 30 years of experience as a leading custom cable manufacturer, we’ve honed the skills and tools to deliver high-performing connection solutions that you can count on day in and day out.  

Our engineering experts can carefully design and produce the ideal cable assembly for your project in no time flat. We’ve developed a reputation for excellence, which extends to every product we deliver. Our ultimate goal is to craft one-of-a-kind cable assemblies, wire harnesses, and cords that deliver high-quality power and signal transmissions no matter what. You can count on our cables to get the job done.

Custom Overmolded Cable Assemblies Manufacturer

Overmolded cables are a critical element in a wide range of industries because of their unique capacities, durability, and reliable connections for electronic equipment. The additional layer of protection around the conductors and connectors makes overmolded cables critical in industries that require heavy electronic equipment. 

Because they're found in a wide range of industries, overmolded cable assemblies boast an incredible range of applications. While overmolded cable cables are common in consumer electronics, like headphones, USB cables, and audio video cables, in an industrial sense, overmolded cable assemblies have a much more diverse reach. 

Nearly any industrial automotive facility, hospital, manufacturing plant, or telecommunications system will have some form of over-molded cable assembly. These layered cable assemblies are highly valued because of their reliability, simplified connectors, and strain resistance. 

A few common examples of applications for overmolded cable assemblies are:

  • Patient monitoring systems
  • Robotic systems and control cables 
  • Avionic systems 
  • Guidance and control systems 
  • Military equipment 
  • Automotive components 
  • Telecommunications relays 
  • Solar panel connectors and battery systems 
  • Heavy agricultural equipment 

The outline of possible applications for over-molded cable assemblies could continue endlessly. Because over-molded cables and cable assemblies are versatile components that can be found in a vast array of industries, they are an essential component to an adapting industrial landscape. 

Why Choose Overmolded Cable Assemblies for OEM Projects?

There are several reasons why overmolded cable assemblies are so critical in a vast range of industries. Not only are they compatible with a plethora of electrical components, but they're quite helpful in intense environments like outdoor facilities and industrial vehicles. Because they can be custom-fitted for nearly any application, these custom cable assemblies are undoubtedly worth their weight in gold.

molded cable assembly

Customizable Features for Overmolded Cable Assemblies

Enclosure Strain Relief

Electronic cables are susceptible to failure at the sharp exit point from an enclosure. Meridian has designed thousands of strain relievers for enclosures to ensure the cable is protected from bend failure.

MATERIALS

  • Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
  • Polyurethane (PU)
  • Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
  • Thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE)
  • Thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)
  • Silicone

The hardness or softness of each material can be varied.

Cable Breakouts

Whether they are called breakouts, "Y" junctions or "T" junctions it is often necessary to overmold the point where conductors leave a cable. Meridian has designed these breakouts for medical, industrial control and military applications. We also have existing tooling that may work for your application.

MATERIALS

  • Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
  • Polyurethane (PU)
  • Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
  • Thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE)
  • Thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)
  • Silicone

The hardness or softness of each material can be varied.

Cable Stops

Many times cables are treated to great force during use. It is critical that this force not be transferred and cause a connection to break. At Meridian we are experts in designing cable stops to transfer this type of force to an anchor point to make sure connections are not compromised.

MATERIALS

  • Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
  • Polyurethane (PU)
  • Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
  • Thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE)
  • Thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)
  • Silicone
  • Brass
  • Stainless steel

The hardness or softness of each material can be varied.

Conductor Colors

We make cable with many conductors – sometimes well over 50. To keep track of the conductors, we can use different colors. We can also “mark” the cables in other ways – with stripes, dashes or even text – to ensure the right conductor goes to the right spot.

AVAILABLE COLORS

  • black
  • white
  • red
  • green
  • brown
  • blue
  • orange
  • yellow
  • purple
  • gray
  • pink
  • tan
  • white/black
  • red/black
  • green/black
  • orange/black
  • blue/black
  • red/white
  • green/white
  • blue/white
  • orange/red

Conductor Insulation

The first protection in any cable is the conductor's insulation. We use the range from basic PVC, PE or PP. We also use insulating materials such a natural rubber, PU, TPE, PTFE (Teflon®) and silicone.

MATERIALS

  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Polyethylene (PE)
  • Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
  • Thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE)
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®)
  • Silicone

The hardness or softness of each material can be varied.

Wraps and Shields

Often a cable's conductors need to wrapped or shielded. Hi flex cables requirement a soft barrier between the conductors and outer jacket to prevent abrasion. Many electronic cables need shielding to prevent RFI or EMI interferance. We use materials such a fleece, cotton and aluminized mylar, amongst others, to create a cable that will match the operating environment.

  • Aluminized mylar
  • Cotton
  • Fleece
  • Spiral wrapped stranding
  • Braided strainding
  • Polyester tie. This is typically wrapped with spiral overwrap.

Cable Types

There are many standard cable types. The cable standards help designers choose a cable with known specifications instead of creating one from scratch. These standards can also be used a building blocks for more complicated designs.

CABLES

  • TPT
  • SP-1
  • SPT-1
  • SP-2
  • SPT-2
  • SP-3
  • SPT-3
  • TS
  • TST
  • SV
  • SVE
  • SVEO
  • SVO
  • SVT
  • SVTO
  • SJ
  • SJE
  • SJEO
  • SJEOW
  • SJO
  • SJOOW
  • SJT
  • SJTO
  • S
  • SE
  • SEO
  • SO
  • SOOW
  • ST
  • STO
  • STOOW
  • HPN
  • HSJ
  • HSJO
  • HS HSO

These can be made in many different gauge configurations.

Connector Strain Relief

Connectors are often "high cycle" components in an assembly. Meridian is an expert in designing connector strain reliefs, and we have thousands of existing molds. Strain relieving the cable exit from a connector is critical to avoid conductor failure.

MATERIALS

  • Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
  • Polyurethane (PU)
  • Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
  • Thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE)
  • Thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)
  • Silicone

The hardness or softness of each material can be varied.

Seals and Glands

Cable assemblies are often used in harsh environments. In such applications a seal or gland is necessary to ensure unwanted substances stay out of the enclosure. Meridian has designed overmolded seals and glands for video security, military and recreational applications.

MATERIALS

  • Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
  • Polyurethane (PU)
  • Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
  • Thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE)
  • Thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)
  • Silicone

The hardness or softness of each material can be varied.

Conductor Sizes

We can extrude conductors as small as 34 gauge and as large as 12. These can be combined to create a mixed gauge cable, so if you need to carry power while also delivering signals this can be combined into one cable.

SIZES

  • 34 awg
  • 32 awg
  • 30 awg
  • 28 awg
  • 26 awg
  • 24 awg
  • 22 awg
  • 20 awg
  • 18 awg
  • 16 awg
  • 14 awg
  • 12 awg

We can also do odd sizes such as 13 awg, 19 awg, 23 awg, 29 awg.

Stranding Sizes

Your conductors can be made with stranding as small as 0.002 inches (0.05mm) which is excellent for hi-flex, supple cables. If you just need a standard power conductors we can use stranding as large as 0.01 inches (0.25 mm). Stranding can be bare copper, tinned stranding, tinned conductor or even plated with precious metals such as silver for increased conductivity.

SIZES

  • 0.002"
  • 0.003"
  • 0.004"
  • 0.005"
  • 0.006"
  • 0.007"
  • 0.008"
  • 0.009"
  • 0.010"
  • 0.013"
  • 0.016"
  • 0.020"
  • 0.023"

Fillers

To make a cable perform its best it is often necessary to include fillers inside the cable. We use materials from basic cotton to nylon to Kevlar®. Each material is custom matched to the applications requirement to ensure proper performance.

  • Cotton
  • Nylon
  • Kevlar®
  • PVC
  • Fleece

Jacket Materials

The final barrier between the environment and the inside of your cable is usually its jacket. This final covering acts as an insulator, a shield and protective cover. For your cable we can use materials as simple as PVC or as robust as natural rubber, Teflon® or silicone.

MATERIALS

  • Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
  • Polyurethane (PU)
  • Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
  • Thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE)
  • Thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®)
  • Silicone

The hardness or softness of each material can be varied.

UL Certified Wire & Cable

There are many standard UL cable types. UL standards help designers choose a cable with known specifications instead of creating one from scratch. We are certified by UL to produce many standard types of wire and cable.

WIRE

  • 1007
  • 1032
  • 1095
  • 1533
  • 1571
  • 1015
  • 1061
  • 1185
  • 1569

CABLE

  • 2029
  • 2464
  • 2562
  • 2725
  • 2833
  • 2919
  • 2992
  • 2096
  • 2468
  • 2661
  • 2733
  • 2835
  • 2990
  • 20080
  • 2405
  • 2560
  • 2689
  • 2789
  • 2991
  • 20276

These can be modified for color and stripping and still be UL certified.

Our State-of-the-Art Cable Testing Lab

At Meridian Cable, we build our cables to the highest specifications and industry standards. We uphold these standards by putting every cable assembly we create through our state-of-the-art testing lab to ensure continuity, integrity, polarity and functionality. Each cable assembly undergoes a series of tests and trials before it ships to our customers. This process helps our team catch any potential snags before they happen in the real world. Our customers can trust their assembly has been thoroughly vetted before it reaches their doorstep. 

What is Overmolding in a Cable Assembly?

The process of creating an overmolded cable assembly involves enveloping a series of cables in a molten plastic or rubberized material and coating the cable assembly components, such as conductors, junctions, or strain relief points. This is a specialized manufacturing process that creates a seamless protective barrier around the sensitive components of a cable assembly. 

Overmolding not only enhances a cable's durability against typical wear and tear but also strengthens its defenses against environmental factors. Encapsulating the critical connection points of a cable provides superior protection against moisture, kinks, vibration, dust, and mechanical stress, which makes overmolded cable assemblies an ideal choice for demanding industrial and commercial environments. 

Beyond protecting the critical elements of your cable assembly, overmolding offers enhanced functionality while shaping the cables into an aesthetic, streamlined arrangement. The molded layer can include unique features that help organize and identify specific cable assemblies. You have the option to choose from specific overmolding materials, unique colors and patterns, additional strain relief to prevent breakages, and other specific elements that enhance your capabilities. 

For many industries, providing an additional protective layer on your cable assembly is the difference between safe, successful operation and devastating and costly issues. For this reason, it's important to understand precisely what your overmolded cable assembly might endure during its operation. Once we understand your environment, functionality demands, and durability requirements, we can help you design and develop optimal solutions for your equipment and performance needs. 

Creating a Molded Cable Assembly

The overmolding process begins with designing a custom mold that fits the cable layout, intended use, and geometry precisely. Getting the fine details of the mold just right is a critical step in the process. Overmolded cable assemblies must be precisely manufactured to ensure safe operation and high-functioning capabilities. 

Each assembly contains numerous variables that must be addressed for a successful overmolding incorporation. When you work with Meridian's design team, we’ll uncover details like your cable assembly’s intended use, flexibility/rigidity requirements, transmission capacity needs, spatial limitations, and other factors. Based on these elements, our team will carefully craft the exact mold to adequately cover your cable assembly in the optimal component for your safe and successful operations. 

 

The Overmolding Process

Crafting dependable overmolded cables is a work of art, requiring precision, expertise, acute attention to detail, and a carefully monitored production process. Step by step, we build the ideal overmolded cable assembly for your project, giving special attention to the fine details and requirements of each and every component. 

  • The Design Phase: During the design phase, you'll work with our team of experts to build your product entirely from scratch, so it’s made just for you!

 

  • Mold Creation: Based on the specific design needs of your product, we’ll develop a custom mold to encase your cables in an external material coating, sealing the components in a flexible and durable protective layer.

 

  • Material Selection: The right materials make all the difference in custom cable assemblies. When it comes to choosing the materials for overmolded cable assemblies, you'll need to consider several factors, including environment, potential workplace hazards, spatial conditions, configuration limitations, function, and equipment sensitivity.

 

Fortunately, we have over 5,000 unique options to customize your cable assembly and optimize it for your specific purposes. With a full array of materials to choose from, we can engineer a solution that strikes all the right notes, forming secure and reliable connections. 

  • Injection Molding Process: When the design is complete and the materials have been selected, we begin the overmolding process. This involves using precision injection molding equipment that injects molten plastic into the custom mold, which completely encapsulates the inner materials of the custom cable assembly. The assembly is then left to dry and harden, resulting in a tough and durable final product.

 

  • Post-Molding Testing: After the molten material hardens, we run a series of tests to ensure proper sealing and functionality. And voila! Your custom overmolded cable assembly is complete!

Overmolded and Overprotected

Standing behind our products isn't just something we say—it's our foundation. We believe everything we do should be done well down to the most minute detail. After all, you don't become a leading cable manufacturer by delivering less-than-stellar products. That's why we bow to develop and create cable assemblies you can count on, whether they contain overmolding or not.

We back every custom cable assembly we produce with a stout commercial warranty, guaranteeing your peace of mind every time. We hold a strong commitment to quality, and every custom-molded cable leaving our facility has been intricately engineered, rigorously examined, and tweaked to perform in its specific function and environment. We take cable molding very seriously because we know the industries and professionals that rely on it every day. From aerospace engineers to physicians and military personnel, those who use our cable assemblies with overmolding demand high-performance functionality and reliability every day. 

While other wire and cable manufacturers may offer some reassurances, we've built our business on our dedication to our craft. Our commercial warranty helps provide peace of mind for your purchase. We address situations such as defects in materials and manufacturing, ensuring your overmolded cable assemblies adhere to the highest standards in the industry. That's the perk of managing every aspect of the manufacturing process—we have our keen and skilled eyes on every step of the journey your cable assembly takes on its way to you. Choosing Meridian as your cable manufacturer guarantees that you'll have a high-performing product that you can count on.

Benefits of Overmolded Cable Assemblies

Although an overmolded cable assembly may not be necessary for every Industrial environment, it can provide numerous benefits in applications that demand extra protection. Investing in an overmolded cable assembly can offer a range of advantages that go far beyond traditional designs. Naturally, one of the most notable benefits is the increased durability that overmolding offers. The production process for overmolding cables creates a defensive barrier that shields internal components from moisture, dust, and other hazards. This added defense makes custom overmolded cable assemblies invaluable for outdoor installations, environments containing industrial machinery, and applications that may be exposed to extreme conditions. 

Another significant benefit is the added strain that the overmolding process delivers. Cables in heavy vibration environments can be prone to connection loss and cable failure at key stress points where conductors meet connectors. Overmolding reinforces these vulnerable stress points, withstanding and defending against mechanical stress that could lead to hazardous breakages. 

The additional protective benefits and strain relief provide a more secure connection than traditional cables alone, all while wrapped neatly in an aesthetic and clean package.

Working with the Design Experts

We've cultivated a team of the top engineers and manufacturers in the world to support you every step of the way, from your initial order to final delivery. Our incredible team of design engineers is the best of the best when it comes to creating custom connection solutions from scratch. You can rest easy knowing that we're here to guide you as you create a unique overmolded cable assembly. We offer full-scale design and engineering services with the ability to go above and beyond what an off-the-shelf solution can provide. 

Our first step will be to determine the details of your assembly and the equipment it will service. Once we have a complete picture of your transmission requirements, we will develop a digital design for your overmolded cable assembly. During the digital phase, we use state-of-the-art technology to identify and correct any potential hiccups or functional errors within the design, all before a physical product is ever produced. We proactively pursue excellence and optimization so that you can be confident in your custom cables. 

Once we're satisfied with the digital printing, we'll move swiftly to create a physical prototype to run the gamut of quality and functionality tests, ensuring everything is up to industry standard. We’ve combed through the fine details of every conductor, connection, wire, and terminal to ensure your assembly is just right! After we are confident that your cable assembly is up to our sky-high standards, we’ll move quickly through the production phase and have it packed up and on its way to you before you know it. That's one of the benefits of working with experts at Meridian—you don't have to worry about quality or timeliness with our quick-turn capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get in contact with our team today to review your specifications and experience the Meridian difference for yourself.