Though most people don’t realize it, there are many rubber molding options available in the manufacturing world. The type of mold you will need is based on the specifications and what the product will be though you may have some say in the type of molding used. It is helpful for most people to understand what the differences are between the different rubber mold options so they can select the appropriate options and not waste money or time.
Compression Mold
Most products can be made with a compression mold, which is the primary mold form. The process starts by using preformed rubber that is cut into the basic shape and size of your finalized product. This rubber is then placed onto the bottom plate of the molding and pressed down with the top plate. Extreme pressure is exerted onto the molding, which forces the rubber to be shaped as the mold. The rubber molding is then cured by putting in into very high heat and pressure. Once it has been cured, it is ready to be used.
Injection Mold
These molds are a little different than compression molds, because they are used to develop rubber and plastic items and are considered the most sophisticated molding available. Through this process, the rubber is liquefied and then it is added to the injection machine. This machine will fill the mold with a liquid rubber and is a very precise mechanism. This method is considered the preferred option by most companies, both those who use or sell the rubber products and those that manufacture the products.
Transfer Mold
This option takes attributes from both injection and compression molding. A piece of uncured and raw rubber is placed on a transfer pot. The pot is set directly over the rubber mold and then the raw rubber is pushed into a closed mold through the transfer pot, which is similar to injection mold processes. The molded rubber is then subjected to pressure and heat to be cured, just like with compression molds.
Differences
Compression molding is the least precise of all the molding options, which also makes it the least expensive and best for components that don’t require a lot of accuracy. Transfer molds do have some of the same qualities as compression molding, so it is not the best when it comes to precision, but can still produce a higher quality item. If you are interested in the highest quality available, you will want to use injection molds.
No matter what type of rubber molding you need, you will likely want to use R.E. Darling Co., Inc., as they are respected and highly sought after. Visit website for more information.
