Custom Rubber Molding

Ro-Lab has the press capacity for small, high-volume production as well as production of large-scale parts.  We have over 75 presses up to 2,032 mm wide (80”) with 36.3-2267.9 capacity. (40-2500 ton)

Platen sizes are up to 6.10 mm long and 15.24 mm wide (20 feet long and 50 feet wide.)  In-house Branbury mixing allows us to produce custom compounds.

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Capabilities

Ro-Lab has several processes available to produce the ideal rubber part for your application.

Rubber Compression Molding

Rubber compression molding is the most widely used production method for rubber molding and the simplest method used for the production of elastomeric materials. In this process, material is placed directly into the cavity of the mold. Pressure is applied which forces the material to conform to the cavity shape. The cure occurs as the pressure and heat cause the thermoset material to crosslink. For the ability to meet close tolerances, compression molding is the preferred process for gaskets, seals and o-rings.Ro-Lab’s 1,400 ton compression press is ideal for large molds, or thin sheets with close tolerances. There is ample capacity for production of large-scale parts; as well as smaller, high volume runs. Multi-cavity molds can produce tiny parts down to two grams. Our equipment allows for continuous curing for long, uninterrupted items.

Rubber Injection Molding

This process most commonly injects preheated thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers directly into a mold. It is capable of molding parts more intricate than both transfer and compression molding. The advantages of injection molding: – Delivers faster curing times than compression or transfer molding –  Shortens cycle times – Ideal for high volume component production Compared to compression molding, injection molding is a more complex process that injects a preheated material into the cavities of a closed mold.

Rubber Transfer Molding

In a process that is a hybrid of compression and injection techniques, a piston forces preheated material from a transfer pot into a closed mold. Transfer molding advantages include: increased productivity, product quality and product consistency. Molding with inserts is possible where either a metal or ceramic insert is placed into the cavity prior to injection and the heated plastic bonds to the insert during rubber molding process. This process is capable of molding part shapes that are more intricate than compression molding. This is because transfer molding uses a closed mold and can therefore achieve tighter tolerances. It produces a good surface finish and has dimensional stability.​In summary, the benefits of rubber transfer molding are:

  • Finished components with intricate shape
  • Compatible with the use of delicate insets
  • Delivers tight dimensions and tolerances
  • Usable for all rubber durometers

Special Rubber Processes

Ro-Lab produces hoses, rolls, lined pipes, and other mandrel-made products.

Hoses are hand built on a mandrel (cylindrical form) in a variety of configurations:

  • Soft or wire reinforced walls
  • Plain ends, or duck and rubber flanges with back-up rings
  • Built-in nipples

Other Mandrel-made products

  • Non-hose mandrel-made products with 101.6 – 1524 mm diameters (4” – 60”) with lengths to 15,24 m (50’)
  • Rubber transition chutes
  • Mandrel-made endless belts

Industrial and agricultural rolls

  • Rubber or urethane covers
  • New or stripped/recovered cores
  • Roll regrinding
  • Crowns and grooves

Rubber-lined pipes for mining, oil and gas