Custom Rubber Moulding: Injection Rubber Moulding Explained

Custom rubber moulding is a specialised process used to create a variety of rubber products. One of the most common methods of custom rubber moulding is injection rubber moulding, which is a process of injecting molten rubber into a mould cavity to form a finished part. In this blog post, we’ll explain the basics of injection rubber moulding so you can understand how this custom rubber moulding technique works.

The process of injection rubber moulding

Injection rubber moulding is a type of bespoke rubber moulding technique which involves injecting molten rubber into a pre-made mould. The rubber is then left to harden and take shape in the mould before being removed as a finished product.

The process begins with a metal mould which has been specifically designed according to the desired shape and size of the finished product. This mould can be re-used multiple times depending on the durability of the material. Next, the rubber is melted down to a molten state and injected into the mould using an injection machine. The heat and pressure are kept at a constant level until the rubber solidifies and takes shape in the mould. Once cooled, it can then be removed from the mould and processed further if required (eg. Cryogenic Deflashing.)

This method offers many advantages over other rubber moulding techniques such as greater accuracy, speed, and consistency. It also results in higher quality products with fewer defects due to its tightly controlled conditions. Injection rubber moulding can also be used to produce products that are not possible with other types of rubber moulding methods.

The benefits of injection rubber moulding

Injection rubber moulding offers many advantages over other types of rubber moulding processes, such as compression moulding or transfer moulding. It is a bespoke process that enables manufacturers to produce high-quality parts and components quickly and efficiently. This process is also more cost-effective than compression or transfer rubber moulding methods when dealing with large volumes.

The injection rubber moulding process is highly accurate, allowing manufacturers to create complex shapes with minimal waste and reduced cycle times. The process also produces parts that are free of porosity, ensuring that they are of consistent quality throughout the production run. A number of different rubber compounds can be Injection rubber moulded to create parts that are highly durable, FDA approved or resistant to extreme temperatures, making injection moulding ideal for a wide range of industrial applications.

Another advantage of injection rubber moulding is that it tends to produce parts with a lower tolerance than other types of rubber moulding such as compression, this offers greater batch consistency.

The disadvantages of injection rubber moulding

While injection rubber moulding can offer many advantages, it also has some drawbacks that should be considered. One of the main disadvantages of this process is that it requires the use of a specialised mould which can be expensive to produce. This can be especially problematic for businesses that are looking for a more cost-effective solution for producing short-run bespoke rubber mouldings this is where 3D rubber printing or compression moulding comes into its own.

The types of products that can be made with injection rubber moulding.

Injection rubber moulding is used to produce a wide range of products, such as custom seals, bellows, buffers, grommets, washers, and o-rings to name but a few. Injection rubber moulding is also often used in medical, nuclear, and aerospace applications where precision components are needed.

It is an alternative to compression moulding which involves the application of pressure to pre-form the rubber material into the desired shape. While injection rubber moulding is more precise, it is also more expensive than compression moulding. Both methods are viable for creating custom rubber products depending on the budget and requirements of the project.

Injection rubber moulding is an effective way to produce high-quality, custom rubber components for a variety of applications. It offers the ability to create intricate shapes and precise details in large volumes at relatively low cost, making it a popular choice for many businesses.

For advice or a quote on you upcoming project, or for more information about injection moulding or custom rubber moulding in general please contact one of our experts today.