The Custom Rubber Molding Experts

With over 50 years of experience, Qualiform Rubber Molding is a leading custom rubber molding company known for delivering high-quality rubber products with speed and reliability at competitive prices. As a trusted custom rubber molding manufacturer, Qualiform partners with OEMs across diverse industries, including appliance, healthcare, electrical, industrial, medical, plumbing, sports, recreation, transportation, EMI shielding, sound and vibration management, chemical, and aerospace sectors, to produce custom molds and components tailored to their needs.

The Top U.S. Rubber Molder & #1 Choice for  Custom Rubber Molding

Rely on the rubber molding experts at Qualiform to solve almost any design or material challenge involving rubber products. Qualiform molded rubber products are American-made and designed to your unique specifications. Customers choose us for responsiveness, reliability, competitive pricing, and fast turnaround.  Pricing is maintained through attentive monitoring of raw material costs and environmental initiatives with repurposed rubber saved from landfills. Furthermore, we offer 3-shift/24-hour production for the shortest runs and quickest turnaround.

Lastly, when you choose Qualiform, we will work with your tooling from other molders, or we can purchase new tooling for you. As a Qualiform customer, you always own the tooling. We work to keep you as a customer through unparalleled customer service.

custom rubber molding manufacturer

Our technical staff is ready to assist you with all your custom rubber molding needs.

Request A Quote

Choose the Custom Rubber Molding Experts

Contact a member of our technical staff at (330) 336-6777 or send us a drawing.

Call Us
Send a Drawing
Custom rubber molds

The Rubber Molding Process

Our rubber molding processes involve heating, forming, and curing rubber compounds inside a mold under pressure.  The cavity of the mold is the shape of the finished part and based on the flexibility of the required material, the product design may include complex shapes, compound curves, and undercuts.

Rubber Materials & Compounds

A wide range of rubber compounds, additives, and fibers can produce virtually and product characteristics from abrasion resistance, chemical resistance,  corrosion-resistant, heat resistant, ozone resistant, and vibration isolation to impact absorption.  Rubber compounds can be modified to produce the exact material properties required including rigidity, durability, strength, and flexibility.

Qualiform molds both natural rubber and synthetic rubber which include:

  • Butyl
  • Colored Compounds
  • EPDM
  • Natural Rubber
  • Neoprene
  • Nitrile
  • SBR
  • Silicone
  • Viton™
  • Fiber Molding

Types of Rubber Molding Processes

The rubber injection molding process is the best way to produce precision rubber molded components and rubber-to-metal bonded products.  This process is selected for rubber parts that require high volumes, tight tolerances, over-molding or precision applications. Rubber injection molding delivers speed and precision not found in other rubber manufacturing processes.  Furthermore, rubber injection molding is an optimal manufacturing process for products specified with rubber compounds that have quicker rubber cure times. Efficiency is gained by a higher level of automation, strict control over flash and reduced waste from scrap parts.

Rely on Qualiform’s technical staff’s experience with rubber injection molding to help our customers determine if injection molding is the correct process for their product application and material property requirements.

Rubber Injection Molding Process Description

The process of injection molding rubber starts with bulk mixing the rubber compounds, aka stock.  The stock is then stripped into continuous strips approximately 1.25″ wide & .375″. The strips of uncured rubber stock are then fed from a hopper into the rubber molding injection equipment via a conveyance channel.

A large auger type screw moves the stock into a barrel that holds a specific amount of rubber stock.  As it turns and moves through the channel into the injection unit, the material is heated.  As the rubber stock is heated, it plasticizes to a target temperature.  The plasticized rubber material is then injected into a heated mold cavity held under high-pressure.  A runner and gate system is used similarly to the plastic injection molding process.  The temperature and pressure activate the cure of the rubber compound, vulcanizing it.  Once the rubber reaches and required level of cure, it is allowed to cool and reach a solid state within the mold. The molds open and parts are removed or ejected ready for the next cycle.

Rubber injection molding began in the mid-1960s as a spin-off from the plastic injection molding process.  The difference in the processes is that rubber is cured under significantly more pressure per square inch of molds cavity surface.

Advantages of the Rubber Injection Molding

  • A highly efficient process
  • Can be fully automated with automatic material feeding
  • Provide high precision rubber molded products
  • Superior process for consistency and repeatability
  • Allows for molding of complex geometry
  • Ideal over-molding of inserts, overmolded components and rubber to metal bonding
  • Eliminate preforms and preform labor cost
  • Flashless molding / flashless tooling / eliminating secondary trimming
  • Rapid cavity filling
  • Reduced cycle time
  • Minimal material waste

Disadvantages of Rubber Injection Molding

  • Higher start-up/shutdown costs
  • Suited for high volume applications
  • Not all elastomers are suitable

The rubber to metal bonding process is the most effective way to adhere rubber to metal parts.  Qualiform is the leader of all rubber to metal bonding companies producing the largest, most complex parts in the industry.  We offer unparalleled experience in this process and are more than happy to consult on your rubber to metal bonding application.

The Rubber to Metal Bonding Process

The rubber to metal bonding process provides a superior mechanical bond of rubber to metal parts or inserts.  Integral to the process is a two-step preparation of the metal for rubber molding.  First, the metal must be degreased, similar to metal coating or paint preparation, and cleaned of any contaminants.   Next, a special, heat-activated adhesive is uniformly sprayed onto the metal parts.

Ready for rubber overmolding, the prepared metal parts are inserted into the mold cavity.  Held in place by special magnets or chaplet pins, the mold is closed and the rubber molding process begins.  The heat required to cure the rubber, activates the adhesive forming a mechanical bonding of rubber to metal.

Rubber insert molding completely encapsulates the metal part with rubber by suspending the metal insert in the mold cavity.  Rubber can also be molded to a specific area of metal parts.   Mechanically adhering rubber to metal can enhance the stability of metal parts with the flexible characteristics of rubber.  Metal parts with molded rubber can improve part properties such as seals to NEMA standards, electrical conductivity, noise and vibration isolation, wear and impact resistance, chemical and corrosion resistance and more.

Steel, brass, aluminum, exotics, engineered resins and plastics can all be overmolded with rubber.

Rubber to metal bonded parts range in size from small inserts to large transportation components.  Overmolded rubber metal parts are utilized across a broad range of applications, shapes and sizes such as bumpers, shafts, rollers and isolaters.

The rubber compression molding process is ideal for low to medium volume production of rubber products.  The rubber compression molding process can produce a diverse range of precision rubber molded components.  The compression molding process allows for the affordable production of large, intricate products. It is often used to produce environmental seal products such as rubber o-rings, seals and gaskets.

The Rubber Compression Molding Process

The rubber compression molding process uses a preformed piece of uncured rubber that is placed in an open mold cavity.  The mold is preheated to an elevated temperature.  As the mold closes, the material is compressed and flows to fill the rubber mold cavity.  A combination of high-pressure and elevated temperatures activates the curing of the rubber compound, aka vulcanization.  The optimal level of cure is achieved, the part hardens and cools then the mold is opened and part removed.  The cycle repeats with the next rubber preform inserted into the rubber mold.

The Benefits of the Compression Molding Process

  • Economical process
  • Low-cost tooling compared to rubber injection molding
  • Maximized cavity count
  • Ideal for large parts that require a long cure time
  • Can process most elastomers and cure systems

Disadvantages of Compression Molding

  • Longer cycle times
  • Mid-range precision and consistency
  • Labor intensive

Applications of compression molding range from simple drive belts to complex large diameter diaphragms.

The transfer molding process can be used to produce both solid rubber parts and parts that require bonding rubber to a metallic or non-metallic component. Examples of parts manufactured with transfer molding include vibration isolators and shock absorbers.

The Rubber Transfer Molding Process

Similar to compression molding, transfer molding requires raw material preparation into pellets and/or pre-forms.  Rather than placing the preform in the mold cavity, the preformed material is placed in a “pot” located between the top plate and a plunger.  In the pot, the material is compressed by the heated plunger and forced (transferred) through sprues into the cavity below.  The plunger is kept in place until the preform takes on the shape of the mold and the cure is reached, vulcanized.  The part is allowed to harden, cool, then is ejected. The cull pad, any cured rubber left in the pot, is removed, mold cavities are cleaned and the next molding cycle begins.

When used for rubber to metal bonding, the transfer molding process requires the components are loaded into a heated mold either by hand or using a loading fixture.  Material is loaded into the well pot of the transfer mold.  The mold closes and the heated rubber is then transferred through the runner and gate sprues into the mold cavities.  Under pressure and elevated temperatures, the rubber cures/vulcanizes and parts are removed.

The rubber transfer mold consists of a piston, well pot, sprue plate, cavity plate, and a base plate with a knock-out system used to eject the parts after molding.

The Benefits of the Transfer Molding Process

  • Economical process with high cavity count per mold per cycle
  • Cost effective tooling
  • Allows for rubber to metal bonding
  • Allows for rubber overmolding
  • Tighter dimensional tolerances than compression molding
  • Ideal for large parts that require a long cure time
  • Can process most elastomers and cure systems

Disadvantages of Rubber Transfer Molding

  • Longer cycle times
  • Mid-range precision and consistency
  • Labor intensive
  • Increased flash and waste

Transfer molding is an ideal process to not only produce precision molded rubber products, but also products that require rubber bonded to metal surfaces.

Reliability

Qualiform is a leader among U.S. rubber molding companies. We are a top molder of custom products requiring special compounds or unique designs. Furthermore, we have immense experience in all aspects of rubber molding and rubber-to-metal bonding; thus, we offer incomparable ability in problem-solving, allowing us to work with products that present specific molding challenges.

Qualiform is certified to ISO 9001:2015. We work to produce the highest quality in custom rubber-molded products while providing each customer with the necessary attention to ensure their needs are met. If you are in need of assistance with product development, do not hesitate to contact Qualiform Rubber Molding. We are experts in a variety of molding services including, injection molding, compression molding, transfer molding, and rubber-to-metal bonding.

Throughout the entire design and development process, our expert staff will be by your side to assist you. With over thirty years of experience, we can ensure each product meets your needs and specifications. Our staff will work with you at each step of your product’s development, ensuring the materials and product quality are to your liking.

Qualiform Rubber Molding is dedicated to employing the most effective quality assurance program. This program oversees, evaluates, and documents every aspect of our molding processes so we can continue to comply with customer requirements and ensure satisfaction with each product and service we offer.

The #1 provider of rubber to metal bonding and rubber overmolding.

Custom rubber molding company

Custom rubber gaskets molded with the right materials and design for your sealing application.

Rubber parts manufacturer

Custom rubber grommets molded to your specifications.

Custom rubber molds

Colored rubber molding. High-quality molded rubber products in any color you need.  

Products We Manufacture

  • Abrasion Resistant Parts
  • Colored Rubber Products
  • Complex Rubber Products
  • Custom Rubber Parts
  • Rubber Bumpers
  • Rubber Gaskets
  • Rubber Grips
  • Rubber Grommets
  • Rubber Seals
  • Rubber Extrusions
  • Rubber-to-Metal Bonded Products
  • Vibration Control Parts / Vibration Isolation Parts

Rubber Molding Processes We Offer:

  • Custom Rubber Molding
  • Cryogenic Deflashing
  • Engineering and Design Support
  • Rubber Compound Development
  • Rubber Compression Molding
  • Rubber Injection Molding
  • Rubber-to-Metal Bonding
  • Rubber Transfer Molding
  • Assembly Services
  • Stocking Programs

Competitive Pricing

We are able to maintain competitive pricing through the evaluation of every aspect of part production. Qualiform evaluates the entire scope of each project to discern the best solutions and prices whether through R&D, design, engineering, or manufacturing.

Experienced Work Force

Our leadership team combines 130 years of experience in all areas of the rubber molding industry to offer the best service possible. Here at Qualiform, we consider each employee a valued asset; thus, we maintain dedication to investing in the skill sets and expertise of our employees, reinforcing high-quality products, performance, and leadership.

Customer Service

Our Customer Servicer Support provides Qualiform customers with courteous and reliable communication. We also include detail-oriented follow-ups with each customer, ensuring they are aware of the inner workings of each step of the process.

Qualiform Custom Rubber Molding

  • Rubber Molded Parts Manufacturers

  • Custom Buna Gaskets

  • Rubber Gasket Manufacturer

  • Rubber Grommet Manufacturer

  • Custom Rubber Gaskets

  • Rubber Coated Rollers

  • Rubber to Metal Bonding Manufacturers

  • Aircraft Rubber Parts

  • Rubber Feed Rollers

  • Rubber Component Manufacturers

  • Medical Rubber Products

  • EPDM Molding

  • Custom Rubber Metal Bonding

  • Custom Rubber Pads

  • EVA Rubber Molding

  • Molded Rubber Dock Bumpers

  • Rubber Grommet Shapes

  • Custom Rubber Metal Carrier Gaskets

  • High Density Custom Rubber Products

  • Small Rubber Products Manufacturers

  • Grommet Manufacturers USA

  • Anti Vibration Mounts Manufacturers

  • Custom Made Rubber Grommets

  • Molded Rubber Covers

  • Molded Rubber Bumper

  • FKM Seals

  • Custom Rubber Parts Manufacturer

  • Rubber Blocks

  • Custom EPDM Gasket Molding

  • Rubber Disc Manufacturer

  • Molding Rubber Parts

  • Vulcanized Rubber Products

  • Custom EPDM Gaskets

  • Rubber Handle Manufacturer

  • Custom Rubber Rollers

  • Rubber Plugs Manufacturer

  • Custom Gasket

  • Custom Rubber Bumpers

  • Custom Rubber Parts

  • Custom Rubber Seals

  • Rubber Gaskets and Seals

  • Rubber Pulley Wheels

  • EPDM Rubber Products

  • EPDM Rubber Parts

  • Rubber Molded Products Manufacturers

  • Rubber Feet

  • Solid Rubber Cylinder

  • Rubber Coated Magnets

  • Watertight Gasket Manufacturers

  • Custom Gasket Maker

  • Rubber Molded Products Manufacturers

  • Molded Rubber Shapes

  • Molded Rubber Grip

  • Custom Gasket Maker Near Me

  • FKM Gaskets

  • Rubber Rollers

  • Rubber Cylinders

  • Rubber Hinges

  • Custom Gasket Manufacturer

  • Steel Rubber Parts

  • Black Rubber Molding

  • Industrial Rubber Molding

  • Custom Gasket Manufacturing

  • Rubber Grommet Manufacturers

  • Custom Gaskets

  • Rubber Components

  • Custom Gasket Small Orders

  • Molded Rubber Base

  • Custom Rubber Grommets

  • Expansion Bellows Rubber

  • EPDM Gasket

  • Custom Rubber Rollers

  • Custom Gaskets 5 8 Thickness

  • Molded Rubber Bumpers

  • L Shaped Rubber

  • Molded Rubber Gaskets

  • Rubber Thread

  • Molded Rubber Grommets

  • Flexible Rubber Cone

  • Custom Neoprene Gaskets

  • Quick Turn Molded Rubber Parts

  • Large Molded Rubber Parts

  • Molded Rubber Boots for Cylinder

  • Viton Seals

  • Custom Rubber Gasket U Profile

  • Rubber Coated Products

  • Rubber Sleeves

  • Metal Backed Rubber Products

  • Custom Rubber Gaskets Maker

  • Flexible Rubber Rod

  • Rubber Stop Manufacturer

  • Custom Rubber Wheels

  • Precision Rubber Products

  • Custom Rubber Metal Carrier Gaskets

  • Rubber to Metal Molding

  • Rubber Profile

  • Neoprene Molder

  • Neoprene Molding

  • EPDM Gasket Manufacturer

  • Rubber Mounts

  • V Shape Rubber Gaskets

  • Custom Seals and Gaskets

  • Rubber Bollards

  • Custom Rubber Machining

  • U Shaped Rubber Grommet

  • Custom Viton Gasket

  • Rubber To Metal Vibration Mounts

  • Automotive Rubber Boots

  • A Better Process than Induction Bonding of Rubber To Metal

  • Molded Rubber Shore A40

  • Molded Gasket Shapes

  • Custom PTFE Gasket

  • Molded Rubber to Metal Bonding

  • Viton Gaskets

Rubber Molding FAQ’s

First, we ask that you provide a print or sample of your part for reviewing purposes. Also, please include your estimated annual usage requirements to assist us in tooling design. Lastly, please indicate the material. If the material is unknown or unspecified, describe the environment in which it will be utilized.

From the initial design phase to the final approval of your part, Qualiform can be by your side to assist you.

Qualiform has 32+ years of experience in rubber molding, and we can assist you with expert recommendations for polymers and an indication of your durometer requirements.

Average lead-times are as follows:

  • Prototype Tools: 2-4 weeks
  • Compression or Transfer Tooling: 6-8 weeks
  • Rubber Injection Molding Tooling: 8-10 weeks

However, we understand some situations require improved tooling lead-time. In these situations, we work with our tooling shop to meet customer requirements.

All of our tooling is purchased in the United States, allowing for faster responses to customer changes and faster lead-times.

Most parts can be shipped within 3-4 weeks from receipt of order, depending on your order quantity.

Tooling will fit into our presses in most cases; however, there are some situations where minor tooling modification is required.

All tooling is custom to each customer’s design; thus, the tooling is the property of the customer after payment is received.

We work with a variety of supply chains in order to source required metal stamping or insert.

Qualiform Rubber Molding works with rubber suppliers to provide color matches. We can match any customer-requested color.

Custom Rubber Molding Services You Can Rely On

As a trusted name among custom rubber molding companies, Qualiform delivers high-quality, precision-molded rubber parts tailored to your specifications. Since 1976, we’ve helped businesses meet demanding applications with consistent results and top-tier customer service.

We specialize in:

  • Rubber compression molding
  • Rubber transfer molding
  • Rubber injection molding
  • Rubber to metal bonding

Our team works closely with you from design through final inspection, ensuring your product performs as intended—every time.

Why Choose Qualiform For Custom Rubber Molding?

Unlike many custom rubber manufacturers, we’re equipped to handle complex jobs and custom formulations. Whether it’s small runs or large-scale production, we offer flexible solutions, fast turnaround, and unmatched expertise.

Our technical staff is available to answer any questions call (330) 336-6777, or submit a question through our Contact Form or Send Us a PDF.

Custom rubber molds