Rubber Injection Molding

The Custom Rubber Injection Molding Experts

With over thirty years of experience with rubber injection molding, Qualiform offers competitive pricing combined with unparalleled product quality and service.  Qualiform Rubber Molding is a leading provider of rubber injection molding to OEMs across the US.  OEMs rely on our expertise in material properties and rubber compound selection, design consultation and complex part molding.

Qualiform is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and experienced in meeting the strictest quality standards.

Rubber Injection Molding

Rubber injection molding is used to develop both solid rubber parts and rubber-to-metal bonded products.  Natural and synthetic rubber compounds can provide a wide variety of properties that solve problems from seals or gaskets, noise and vibration isolation, abrasion and impact resistance, and chemical/corrosion resistance.  Rubber injection molding is ideally suited for mid-to-high-volume production and where tight tolerances, part consistency, or over-molding are required.  In addition, rubber injection molding works well with rubber compounds that have faster cure times.  This is a process that can be fully automated.

The Rubber Injection Molding Process

History

Rubber injection molding was first used in the mid-1960s and was based on the plastic injection molding process.  The key difference between plastic and rubber injection molding is that rubber requires significantly higher pressure to cure the rubber thus leading to longer cure times.

Starting with Tooling

The process starts with the tooling, a rubber injection mold typically with multiple cavities.  The mold consists of a nozzle plate, runner plate, cavity plate, and a base plate with a post-molding ejector system.  The rubber compounds and additives are mixed to create rubber stock.  The stock is formed into continuous strips of uncured rubber stock approximately 1.25″ wide & .375″.

From the Hopper to the Runner Plate

The continuous strip is automatically fed from a hopper into the injection molding machine into a heated barrel, conveyance channel, which softens, plasticizes the rubber.  The stock is then pushed by a large auger, a screw-type plunger, through the injection nozzle. After flowing into the nozzle plate, the rubber is routed through the runner plate, through the gates, and then into the mold cavities.

Vulcanizing

When the cavities have been filled the heated mold is kept closed under pressure. 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 and ready for the next cycle.

Encapsulating

In cases where rubber injection molding is used to encapsulate metal components with rubber or bond rubber to metal, the components are loaded, either by hand or using a loading fixture, into the heated mold cavities. The mold is then closed and the injection molding cycle can begin. After curing is completed, the mold is opened and parts are removed. The cured rubber in the runner is removed, cured rubber in the injection nozzle is purged, and the mold cavities are cleaned in preparation for the next molding cycle.

Injection Molding Advantages

  • A mid-to-high volume, efficient process
  • Full automation is available
  • Provides high-tolerance, precision rubber molded products
  • The best rubber process for consistency and repeatability
  • Allows for molding of complex geometry
  • Ideal for rubber to metal bonding,  insert molding and over-molding
  • Color molded rubber
  • Lower unit cost
  • Eliminates preforms and preform labor cost
  • Flashless molding / flashless tooling / eliminating secondary trimming
  • Rapid cavity filling
  • Reduced cycle time
  • Minimal material waste

Injection Molding Disadvantages

  • Higher start-up/shutdown costs
  • Suited for high volume applications
  • Not all elastomers are suitable due to fast cure times
Custom Injection Molding

Typical Parts Produced with Rubber Injection Molding

  • Rubber boots
  • Rubber gaskets
  • Rubber seals
  • Rubber grommets
  • Colored rubber products
  • Rubber bumpers
  • Rubber grips
  • Rubber diaphragms
  • Rubber bellows
  • Rubber shock absorbers
  • Rubber to metal bonding products
  • Complex rubber products
  • Vibration control parts / vibration isolation parts
  • Chemical or corrosion resistant parts
  • Abrasion-resistant parts
  • Custom rubber parts

Materials We Process

  • Butyl
  • SBR
  • Natural Rubber
  • Silicone
  • Colored Compounds
  • EPDM
  • Nitrile
  • Viton©
  • Neoprene
rubber injection molding

Rubber Molding Capabilities

Different molding processes have different strengths.  That’s why Qualiform offers quality custom rubber compression molding, custom transfer molding, custom rubber injection molding, and rubber to metal bonding.  Our experts help you match the best process to your project.

About

For over 30 years, Qualiform Rubber Molding has provided full-service manufacturing and quality rubber products to our customers.  With reputable and dependable rubber products, our manufacturing capabilities meet the needs necessitated by the transportation, medical, electrical, plumbing, industrial, appliance, and aerospace industries.

Why Qualiform for your Rubber Injection Molding?

With unparalleled experience, Qualiform is the top U.S. rubber molder for custom rubber products.  At Qualiform, we know that quality custom rubber products often require special compounds and present unique design and molding challenges.  Our team of problem-solving, experts is well-equipped to handle all aspects of rubber molding and rubber to metal bonding with the utmost regards to their customers.

As the leading supplier of rubber molding services, compression molding, transfer molding, rubber to metal bonding, and rubber injection molding, we at Qualiform understand the importance of a fast turnaround.  We are committed to running a 3-shift, 24-hour production facility for the quickest possible turnaround.

Rubber Molding Company Certifications

As a certified ISO 9001 company, we are dedicated to producing high-quality custom rubber molded products while taking the necessary steps to understand your project needs and ensure that they meet your full satisfaction.  Qualiform is committed to implementing an effective quality assurance program that oversees, evaluates, and documents every aspect of our process, assuring top-notch quality with every product and service that we provide to our customers.

Competitive Pricing

Qualiform is committed to our customers, our environment, and our country. The competitive pricing that Qualiform offers our customers is a result of evaluating every aspect required to produce the part.  Through research and development, our team at Qualiform analyzes the entire project scope to provide our customers with the best solution at the best price.

Green initiatives are taken by using repurposed rubber as often as we can.  In turn, we are able to reduce costs and limit the amount of waste going into landfills.

As an American-owned company that works solely with American-Made products, Qualiform sources all of our tooling from within the United States.  This allows faster lead times and faster responses to customer design changes.

Custom Injection Molding

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

custom injection molding rubber

An example of a flexible strain relief protector.

custom rubber grommets

Vibration isolation grommets customized for your needs.

Rubber Grommet for Vibration Isolation | Custom Rubber Molding

Specific customized rubber grommets for your needs.

Types of Rubber Products We Manufacture

  • Rubber Molded Parts Manufacturers

  • Rubber Gasket Manufacturer

  • Rubber Grommet Manufacturer

  • Rubber Coated Rollers

  • Rubber to Metal Bonding Manufacturers

  • Aircraft Rubber Parts

  • Rubber Feed Rollers

  • Rubber Component Manufacturers

  • Medical Rubber Products

  • EPDM Molding

  • Custom Rubber Pads

  • EVA Rubber Molding

  • Molded Rubber Dock Bumpers

  • Rubber Grommet Shapes

  • High Density Custom Rubber Products

  • Small Rubber Products Manufacturers

  • Grommet Manufacturers USA

  • Anti Vibration Mounts Manufacturers

  • Molded Rubber Covers

  • Molded Rubber Bumper

  • Custom Rubber Parts Manufacturer

  • Rubber Blocks

  • Rubber Disc Manufacturer

  • Molding Rubber Parts

  • Vulcanized Rubber Products

  • Rubber Handle Manufacturer

  • Custom Rubber Rollers

  • Rubber Plugs Manufacturer

  • 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

  • Rubber Molded Products Manufacturers

  • Molded Rubber Shapes

  • Molded Rubber Grip

  • Rubber Rollers

  • Rubber Cylinders

  • Rubber Hinges

  • Steel Rubber Parts

  • Black Rubber Molding

  • Industrial Rubber Molding

  • Rubber Grommet Manufacturers

  • Custom Gaskets

  • Rubber Components

  • Molded Rubber Base

  • Custom Rubber Grommets

  • Expansion Bellows Rubber

  • EPDM Gasket

  • Custom Rubber Rollers

  • Molded Rubber Bumpers

  • L Shaped Rubber

  • Molded Rubber Gaskets

  • Rubber Thread

  • Molded Rubber Grommets

  • Flexible Rubber Cone

  • Quick Turn Molded Rubber Parts

  • Large Molded Rubber Parts

  • Molded Rubber Boots for Cylinder

  • Rubber Coated Products

  • Rubber Sleeves

  • Metal Backed Rubber Products

  • Flexible Rubber Rod

  • Rubber Stop Manufacturer

  • Custom Rubber Wheels

  • Precision Rubber Products

  • Rubber to Metal Molding

  • Rubber Profile

  • Neoprene Molder

  • Neoprene Molding

  • EPDM Gasket Manufacturer

  • Rubber Mounts

  • V Shape Rubber Gaskets

  • Rubber Bollards

  • Custom Rubber Machining

  • U Shaped Rubber Grommet

  • 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

  • Molded Rubber to Metal Bonding

Rubber Injection Molding FAQ’s

The process is simple. All you need to do is provide us with a print or a sample of the desired part for review.  To assist with tooling design, provide your estimated annual usage requirements along with the desired material.  If the material is unspecified or unknown, just describe the environment in which it will be used and our team will come up with the best possible solution.  It’s as simple as that, the rest is on us.

Absolutely! Qualiform Rubber Molding can assist in the initial design phase all the way through to final approval.

Caunt on Qualiform’s 32+ years of experience to assist you in determining the proper polymer for your application as well as your durometer requirements.

All tooling that Qualiform uses is manufactured in the U.S., allowing for faster lead-times.  The average lead-time for prototype tools is 2-4 weeks.  For production compression or transfer tooling, lead-time is 6-8 weeks.  Average production rubber injection molding tooling is 8-10 weeks.  At Qualiform we understand that there may be instances that will entail improved tooling lead-time and we are committed to working with our tooling shop to meet customer requirements.

In most cases, tooling will fit into Qualiform’s presses.  Occasionally, a minor tooling modification may be necessary.

Tooling is part of the customization we provide our customers with.  It is part of our customer’s design and therefore their property once payment is received.

From the receipt of order and depending on the order quantity, most parts can be shipped per order requirements in 3-4 weeks.

We’ve got connections! Qualiform works with several supply chains to source the required metal stamping or insert.

We mean it when we say full-service manufacturing.  Qualiform works with our rubber suppliers to provide exact color matches for your requests.

Our Capabilities

Qualiform has the experience and the knowledge to complete your custom rubber molding project needs. In business since 1976, Qualiform has built its enviable reputation on superior quality and a solid commitment to customer service.  Our offerings include rubber compression molding, rubber transfer molding, and rubber injection molding. In addition, we have an extensive line of services, such as color compounds and rubber to metal bonding. Our range of capabilities means we are positioned to provide the custom molded rubber products you require.

From Design through Inspection

From start to finish, Qualiform will produce your design with top-notch customer service. We create quality custom transfer molding, rubber to metal bonding, custom injection molding, and rubber compression molding. We have the ability to complete jobs other manufacturers would fall short in, due to our extensive manufacturing capabilities.

Our Specialties

Our services include custom rubber transfer molding, custom rubber injection molding, rubber to metal bonding, rubber parts manufacturer, custom rubber molding, custom rubber compression molding, rubber parts manufacturer, rubber products manufacturer.

Additional Questions

Our technical staff is available to answer any questions you may have.  Qualiform customer service support provides reliable, courteous, and responsible communication that includes a detail-oriented follow-up with every customer.

Call us at (330) 336-6777 or submit an inquiry through our contact form.