Moulding - plastic

Rubber moulding is a technique of moulding rubber in moulds.

Rubber moulding begins by making a two-part mould. The mould is usually done with traditional processing, such as milling, spark and wire erosion and turning. The mold is made in an upper portion and lower portion so that the mold can be pressed together.

When the mold is manufactured, the two parts are placed in a press with the raw material inbetween. There are also other methods in which melted raw material is poured in the mould (transfer moulding) or the melt raw material is injected into the mold, injection molding. When the material is in the pieces of the mould is pushed together with high force and high temperature so that the rubber becomes vulcanized. The time component needs to be compressed depends on the temperature, the pressure which the molds are pressed together with and part's size. The type of rubber material also affects the time needed.

Sometimes it is desirable to mould the rubber component, so that the component takes the form and then complete the vulcanisation in an oven. This mainly applies to rubber parts that are a little thicker.

The molding is a suitable method for small series of rubber molding because the set-up cost is relatively low. Rubber molding is done in some specialized workshops.

Picture: Camberley Rubber Mouldings Ltd