Rubber Molding
Molding your perfect part.
Unlimited possibilities. Discover how you can use our compression, injection and transfer molding technology to create virtually any part.
Contact SalesThe standard process for most rubber components on the market today, molding produces rubber parts by pressing a block of rubber into a metal cavity. The rubber inside of the cavity is then exposed to heat, activating a chemical reaction.
The three most common methods of molding are…
- Compression molding — The most basic form of molding, compression molding is exactly what it sounds like: pressing two sides of a mold together and forming rubber parts through it. Before compression molding begins, a “pre-form” in the basic shape of the final product are made. These pre-forms have extra rubber, ensuring that the cavity is filled entirely and there are no flaws in the end part.
- Rubber injection molding — This involves rapidly injecting an exact amount of rubber into a closed, heated mold. Pressure keeps the mold closed. There are some economical advantage to this type of molding, particularly a shorter molding cycle, lower unit cost, and little scrap or waste.
- Transfer molding — Transfer molding is a unique co`mbination of compression and injection molding. A piece of uncured rubber is placed into a portion of the mold. Then, the mold is compressed and put under hydraulic pressure. When this happens, the rubber is forced through a small hole into the cavity. The mold is then held closed while the rubber cures.
RPM is capable of producing parts using all three methods. We can also produce low-cost prototypes, so you can test your parts before committing to a large order.