Nibore for greaseless application

THE CHALLENGE

A global leader in the medical molding industry, producing billions of parts annually, needed a reliable coating solution to protect the cavity and core details of their multi-cavity molds. Their molds, made of 420 stainless steel, required enhanced durability and performance to withstand high production demands. Additionally, they sought a solution to improve part release and optimize cycle times while maintaining mold integrity over extended production runs. They needed a trusted partner to help further the success of their business.

THE SOLUTION

To address these challenges, the company partnered with Bales Metal Surface Solutions, a trusted expert in surface finishing. Bales recommended Nibore, a high-performance electroless nickel coating with boron for enhanced wear resistance, lubricity, and release properties. The Nibore plating has a low 0.05 coefficient of friction to aid in part release without the need for further lubricants. In addition to applying Nibore, Bales provided hand polishing services to further refine the mold surfaces for optimal performance.

The initial application of Nibore delivered significant improvements, prompting the company to expand the use of the coating across multiple molds to replicate the benefits.

THE RESULT

By implementing Nibore plating and expert polishing:

Improved Part Release – Reduced sticking and minimized defects, leading to faster cycle times.
Extended Mold Life – Achieved an average of 8 million cycles per plated and polished mold.
Scalability – Success with initial molds led to plating more molds to maintain consistent efficiency gains.

CONCLUSION

Bales’ Nibore coating and precision polishing enabled this medical molder to enhance mold performance, improve cycle times, and extend mold longevity. This case highlights the value of advanced plating solutions in high-volume manufacturing, demonstrating how the right surface treatment can drive long-term efficiency and reliability.

Investment: $8,500 to Nibore plate and polish a complete multi-cavity set annually