Silicone Compression Molding?
Silicone Compression Molding is an effective manufacturing process, used to form silicone parts. This processing method uses material preforms to mold silicone into the desired shape. Compression molding is versatile and used, including silicone seals, O-rings, gaskets, valves, diaphragms, switches, covers, cases, and buttons. We are a silicone manufacturer having silicone compression molding technology, we are very pleased to communicate with you about Silicone Compression Molding. If you want to start a project, we are here.
How Does Silicone Compression Molding Work?
During the process of silicone compression molding, an uncured rubber material or preform is correctly placed into a heated mold typically consisting of a top and bottom plate with half of the part cavity cut into each plate. And the mold is then placed into the compression molding press which put on pressure to make the mold highly clamped, then the preform material will fills the mold cavity. The material is by the shape of the mold and produces a cured and molded components.
Silicone Compression Molding Process
Silicone Compression Molding is a manufacturing process with mass production. This molding typically requires a two-plate mold, which concludes with a cavity mold and a core mold. The molding material in compression molding is usually preheated and placed in the heated, open cavity mold or a mold.
(1) Place the material into the mold;
(2) Mold plates will be tightly assembled and automatically inserted into the compression molding press machine;
(3) The compression machine will exert pressure to manufacture high-quality parts;
(4) A fixed amount of time is used to heat and press so that silicone can spread through the whole cavity and cure;
(5) After releasing pressure from the press, the mold will open and the separate mold will remove;
(6) Using the hand tool to separate the plates;
(7) Removal of the manufactured silicone parts;
What Are the Different Types of Compression Molding?
Hot Compression Molding is a kind of method, in which the composite is first placed in the heat of the open tool. Then close the tool and the pressure to force the material into contact with all the tools area, while keeping the heat and pressure until the course of curing.
Cold Compression Molding is a manufacturing process that curing happens at an indoor temperature. In this method, the reinforced material is first laid on the mold, and then the resin glue liquid/curing agent is poured, and the product is formed after a certain pressure and time. The molding temperature of compression molding generally does not exceed 160, forming pressure 0.07~0.35MPa, so can use cheap materials for mold. However, the production efficiency and dimensional accuracy of cold compression molding are slightly lower than that of hot compression molding, which is suitable for the production of large products of medium quality.
What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Silicone Compression Molding?
Benefits of Silicone Compression Molding:
♦ Rapid mold changeovers
♦ Low lead time for manufacturing parts
♦ Capable of processing most elastomers and cure systems
♦ Ideal for material requiring longer cure times
♦ Easy to prototype
♦ Wide applications of part size
Drawbacks of Silicone Compression Molding:
♦ More waste
♦Lower precision
♦ Slower manufacturing process time
♦ Need de-flashing
♦ High labor costing
♦ Do not work well for complex-design parts
What Are the Different Types of Compression Molding?
Hot Compression Molding is a kind of method, in which the composite is first placed in the heat of the open tool. Then close the tool and the pressure to force the material into contact with all the tools area, while keeping the heat and pressure until the course of curing.
Cold Compression Molding is a manufacturing process that curing happens at an indoor temperature. In this method, the reinforced material is first laid on the mold, and then the resin glue liquid/curing agent is poured, and the product is formed after a certain pressure and time. The molding temperature of compression molding generally does not exceed 160, forming pressure 0.07~0.35MPa, so can use cheap materials for mold. However, the production efficiency and dimensional accuracy of cold compression molding are slightly lower than that of hot compression molding, which is suitable for the production of large products of medium quality.
Compression-molded silicone parts are valuable in a range of industries and applications. The manufacturing process is ideal for low- and medium-volume production runs. And this process is capable of creating highly precise parts, making it suitable for many complex rubber components, including large and intricate products. The defense, military, and medical industries frequently use this process to produce high-performance products such as O-rings, seals & gaskets.
What is the Difference Between Silicone Compression Molding and Silicone Injection Molding？
Silicone Injection Molding is a moldi