Rubber Parts Manufacturing: 3 Top Considerations When Designing Molded Rubber Parts
Posted on: 20 June 2022
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If you need to make rubber parts, it is vital to make various design considerations to ensure you create high-quality parts. For instance, it is important to determine whether you should stick to the standard designs or create a custom design. In addition, the cost of molding these parts and the process you will incorporate are critical considerations. This article provides important insight if you are unsure where to start your rubber parts manufacturing process.
1. What Functions and Applications Will the Component Serve?
What environment will the rubber parts be used in? Like all other parts, the design of your rubber components depends on where and how they will be used. If these rubber components are exposed to high heat and various outdoor elements, they must be strong enough for such environments. Otherwise, these parts will wear out quickly and function poorly. Nitrile is one of the best rubber materials for functions incorporating extreme temperatures and various chemicals.
Additionally, it is important to consider how much flexibility or rigidity is required from the rubber components. Rubber's hardiness ranges from very hard to very soft. So, if your applications require materials that can absorb high vibrations and acoustics, you'll need materials like flexible rubber that can withstand these conditions.
2. Will You Need Custom Designs?
Most applications and environments that create rubber parts are similar. Therefore, before designing a rubber component from scratch, it is advisable to search the market to determine if these parts are already available. Choosing the standard molds in the market will eliminate designing costs, and you will get the parts you need faster. However, some functions may require creating custom rubber parts. The best part about customizing rubber components is that you get the most suitable and efficient component.
3. Which Molding Process Will You Use?
There are multiple molding processes you can use to manufacture rubber products. Some processes you can use include; injection, compression molding, and transfer. The molding process you choose depends on your desired volume and precision levels. For instance, injection molding is ideal for processes requiring high output and precision. Transfer molding is more suited for processes requiring tight control, while compression molding is best for applications that do not require high volumes. So, analyzing your production needs is important before choosing a rubber molding process.
You'll need to consider various elements when designing your rubber elements to ensure you get the ideal design for your application. For instance, you have to choose an ideal molding process, determine whether to customize the designs, and analyze the functions the rubber component will serve. However, you can easily make the wrong choice if you are not an expert at designing rubber components. Therefore, consider hiring rubber parts manufacturing professionals to get the most suitable rubber components.