Compression Molded Custom Parts
This process is typically used when an application calls for high quantities in production runs, medium shore in durometer or hardness, or if the material call-out is one that requires less common, but more expensive materials. An excess of your chosen material is placed into the cavity of the mold to guarantee total cavity fill. Heat and pressure are applied, which causes the rubber compound to flow and fill the cavity, with any overflow going through the overflow grooves. This overflow, or flash, can be a concern when the parts are of critical dimension, larger diameter or of a more expensive variety of a rubber compound. Compression molding reduces the amount of flash created in the molding process. Further reduction of this flash on your custom molded part is done in the deflashing process for any type of molding you may choose. Depending on your parts specifications, this deflashing is done either by tear trimming, tumbling, grinding or cryogenic deflashing.
Injection Molded Custom Parts
This very automated process is commonly used for simple designs that have a high quantity required for production. The rubber compound is heated to such a degree that it can flow with ease through a number of runners into the mold, after being injected under pressure from its heating chamber. This process can be ideal, but for just the right compound and the right application.
Transfer Molded Custom Parts
This process is different than compression molding. Your material is placed in a pot below the top plate and above the gates, creating an even flow of material into the cavity. The rubber compound is then forced from the pot and into the gates. With your finished product, you will see what are known as gate marks, which indicate where gates come into play with the cavity.
