While every component is designed to fulfil a unique set of operational requirements, there are a number of common principles which will reduce the time and cost of obtaining an economic component. Many of these are self-evident, but some require an understanding of the differences between moulding thermoset rubber and moulding plastics. We have utmost data on Rubber Design Standards. We have developed Electric Rubber mat in accordance with IS 15652 standards. We also have been following DIN, ISO, ASTM & IS Rubber design standards. Our rubber seal rings has been tested on AS 14000. Our Electric mats are tested up to 40 Kv on IS 15652.

If we know the applications then we can design the products at much lower possible costs. Hence effective communication can play vital role here.

A single cavity prototype can be produced quickly and economically. This allows designs to be proved, materials tested and a small number of parts supplied for pre-production runs. Mech offers a priority service for prototype moulds which can generally be obtained in less than four weeks.

The following should be borne in mind at the design stage:

• Be aware of where the split line will fall
• Think about removing the part from the mould when it is hot and soft
• Rubber parts do not generally need taper
• Re-entrant shapes are practical in rubber
• Core out thick sections which would extend cure times
• Geometric shapes make for economic tools
• Combine features – such as seals, springs, logos and tolerance take-up – from other parts.

The key determinants of cost are cycle time, the number of cavities in the mould, material cost and the need for manual operations before or after moulding.

Cycle times for rubber generally range from two to ten minutes, although the cure time for heavy parts may be much longer than this. Reducing the mass of a component not only reduces the material cost, but may also reduce the cycle time. This is especially true for parts with thick sections.

Where zero defects are required, due recognition of process capability is required in order to prevent unnecessary quality inspections after moulding. Checks that are not built into the process will inevitably add to the cost (shortcut to Quality in Rubber).

Rubber gains much of its strength and its resistance to heat and light from the addition of carbon black. Hence the vast majority of rubber is black.

Coloured rubbers can be produced using other reinforcing fillers and suitable colouring pigments.

However, the changes that take place during curing, and the nature of the moulding process, make it difficult to maintain perfectly even coloration, particularly with pale colours. Silicone rubbers are the most suitable for achieving reliable and clean coloured mouldings, even with pale colours and translucents.