What are the Different Rubber Moulding Techniques?

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To manufacture rubber products, different moulding techniques are used. Different moulding techniques have a variety of advantages and disadvantages. Listed below are the main differences among them and what you should know before selecting the appropriate one. All of these techniques are effective, but you should always consult a moulding expert before making a final decision. These techniques are very important for the production of high-quality rubber products. Moreover, they help in the reduction of costs. Find out more about Rubber Moulding at a site like www.meadex.co.uk/rubber-moulding

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Injection and compression moulding are two methods of rubber moulding. In these methods, raw material is shaped into a pre-form (simplified representation of the final product) and then compressed between two sides of a mould. The result is a rubber part that is durable, flexible and resistant to UV rays. In both techniques, the process starts with the creation of a tooling. The mould must be customised for the component that needs to be produced. The process of rubber moulding involves a chemical process and is very time-consuming. However, it can last for years depending on the application.

Transfer moulding is another technique. In contrast to compression moulding, transfer moulding uses a preformed piece of rubber and a piston or plunger to force it into the cavity of the mould. After the press closes, a heated piston or plunger forces the material into the cavity of the mould until it vulcanizes. Once it is cured, the mould is then opened and the preformed rubber is removed. Once the process is finished, the process is repeated.

Injection moulding is another method of rubber moulding. It is a process in which pre-forms are created from rubber compounds. These pre-forms are a slightly larger version of the final product. Compression moulding machines vary in size from five to 500 tons. This process starts with loading the pre-form shape into the mould and closing the mould. The press force holds the shape in place, and the excess rubber is vented out. After the press is opened, the part is de-moulded and can be removed.

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Injection moulding is the most complex technique of rubber moulding. A reciprocating screw machine feeds the compound from a hopper. The compound is pushed backward a certain distance and then pushed forward into a closed mould. After the rubber is injected, it is held in the injection position while maintaining pressure, and the rotation of the screw stops after the rubber has cured. This method is used when a high-quality rubber product is required.

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