| Custom rubber molding products have many uses | | | | Once complete, the rubber remains in the mold until it is |
| across a wide range of applications. In fact, it is difficult | | | | fully cured. |
| to imagine an industrial or manufacturing setting that | | | | Transfer molding offers faster curing times than the |
| doesn't employ these items in some capacity. For | | | | compression method because of the heat produced |
| example, the automobile industry utilizes many | | | | during the transfer process. Also, because the mold |
| customized rubber components in the production of | | | | remains closed throughout the process, less excess |
| new vehicles. How each of those components is | | | | material is able to seep out, which results in less waste |
| produced depends largely on a number of factors, | | | | material. In terms of consistency, this process offers |
| including how it will be used and the costs associated | | | | better results than compression molding. On the other |
| with its production. | | | | hand, these molds have a more complex design and |
| There are 3 Primary Methods of Producing Rubber | | | | carry a correspondingly higher price tag to produce. |
| Molding Products: | | | | 3. Injection molding is the most sophisticated method of |
| 1. Compression molding is the oldest and most simple | | | | producing rubber molding products and produces the |
| rubber molding process available. With this process, an | | | | most consistent results. With this method, the uncured |
| uncured "slug" of rubber is placed in a cavity between | | | | rubber is softened prior to being injected into the mold |
| two plates that are then pressed together. (The cavity | | | | through a series of small openings. This method is |
| between the two plates is in the desired shape of the | | | | entirely automated and uses a precise amount of raw |
| final product). Pressure is applied to both plates which | | | | materials. With injection molding, the cavity plates |
| forces the uncured rubber to conform to the shape of | | | | remain closed throughout the process, thereby limiting |
| cavity. The mold remains closed until the rubber is | | | | the amount of excess rubber that can escape the |
| cured and the process is complete. | | | | cavity. This, in turn, limits the amount of excess flash |
| Compression molds are the most simple to create and | | | | that is produced. However, injection molds are the |
| are therefore the most economical to use. However, | | | | most complicated to create and represents the most |
| producing rubber molding products in this manner is a | | | | expensive option. |
| manual process which requires more time and effort | | | | Each rubber molding production method is better suited |
| to perform. Of the 3 production methods, compression | | | | for some applications than others. This is due to the |
| molding also yields the most inconsistent results and | | | | inherent advantages and disadvantages associated |
| takes the longest time for the rubber to cure. | | | | with each process. As with most things, there is a |
| 2. With transfer molding, an uncured slug of rubber is | | | | clear relationship between cost and quality, with the |
| placed in a chamber above the mold's customized | | | | highest-priced alternative (injection molding) yielding the |
| cavity. Pressure is then applied directly to this chamber | | | | most consistent and uniform results. However, not all |
| in an effort to force the rubber through small openings | | | | jobs require this level of sophistication and precision. In |
| called "sprues." The rubber then passes through | | | | those cases, less precise but more cost-effective |
| ("transfers") those openings to fill the mold's cavity. | | | | options are worth exploring. |