First, core demand analysis
Application scenario
Seals (e.g. pipes, valves, equipment seals)
Damping components (mechanical equipment, automotive, electronic equipment)
Insulating materials (electrical equipment, electronic components)
Wear-resistant gaskets or gaskets (industrial equipment, conveying systems)
Special environment (high temperature, corrosion, oil, chemical resistance).
Performance requirement
Hardness (Shore A/D), tensile strength, resilience, temperature range (-60℃ to 300℃).
Special requirements: Antistatic, flame retardant, food grade (FDA), medical grade (biocompatibility), etc.
Second, material selection
Choose the right rubber material according to the use environment:
Material type characteristics Typical application
Silicone rubber (VMQ) high temperature resistance (-60℃~250℃), non-toxic, good insulation medical equipment, food machinery, high temperature sealing
Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) oil resistance, wear resistance, low cost automotive oil seal, hydraulic system
Fluororubber (FKM) high temperature/corrosion/chemical resistance, high price aerospace, chemical equipment
EPDM rubber weather resistance, ozone resistance, good insulation outdoor sealing, automotive parts
Neoprene rubber (CR) flame retardant, aging resistant fire protection equipment, cable sheath
3. Production process
Die molding
Suitable for complex special-shaped parts, high precision, high mold cost, suitable for medium and large quantities.
Injection molding
High efficiency, suitable for high-precision, thin-wall parts, high mold cost.
Extrusion molding
Suitable for long or uniform section parts (require subsequent cutting).
3D Printing (Prototype)
Fast verification design, small batch trial production, limited material properties.
Four, quality control points
Dimensional accuracy: Tolerance is detected by a coordinate measuring instrument (CMM) (usually ±0.1mm~±0.5mm).
Physical properties test: tensile strength, tearing strength, compression permanent deformation.
Environmental test: high and low temperature cycle, oil/chemical soaking resistance, aging test.
Certification requirements: ISO 9001, RoHS, FDA (food grade), UL (flame retardant), etc.
5. Customized process suggestions
Requirement confirmation: Provide drawings or samples (STP/IGS format) to specify size, material and quantity.
Mold development: Communicate mold costs (about thousands to tens of thousands of yuan, depending on complexity).
Proofing test: Verify performance and fit, optimize design (e.g. reduce stress concentration).
Mass production: Usually lead time is 2-8 weeks (depending on mold and production schedule).
6. Cost optimization strategy
Simplified design: Avoid overly complex structures and reduce parting lines or backdowns.
Material replacement: Choose more cost-effective rubber under the premise of satisfying performance.
Mass production: the cost per piece decreases significantly with the increase in quantity.
Mold sharing: Serialized products can design combined molds.
Seven, frequently asked questions
Q: Are small orders accepted?
A: Some suppliers support (such as 100 pieces MOQ), but the cost of mold sharing is higher.
Q: Can I copy existing parts?
A: It can be achieved by 3D scanning or sample mapping, and it is necessary to pay attention to the matching of raw materials.
Q: How to improve the life of rubber parts?
A: Optimization of the formulation (such as the addition of anti-aging agents), surface treatment (PTFE spraying) or structural strengthening.
Viii. Recommend the type of supplier
Focus on special rubber: such as fluorine rubber, silicone products manufacturers.
One-stop service provider: provide design, mold, production, testing the whole process.
Local cooperation: reduce logistics costs and facilitate communication (such as the Yangtze River Delta/Pearl River Delta region).
If there are specific requirements (such as drawings, application scenarios), you can further refine the plan!
Start a new conversation