Processes of silicone products tool making

All silicone products must be made into molds before they are produced, and then new products can be developed through molds.

The sample mold is also known as the rapid tooling or prototype mold. When the customer confirms that we need to provide samples for cooperation with us, the customer first needs to provide a sample or 2D, 3D drawing files. If the customer provides the sample directly, we will process the tool based on the 3D drawing obtained after the sample is copied. If the customer provides the 3D drawing, we will omit the step of copying, which is convenient for everyone and saves time. The tooling room expert will program the tooling according to the 3D drawing. Usually, a small sample mold is opened to the customer to confirm the structure of the product. When the customer confirm that the sample is okay, the mass production tooling will be processed accordingly.

The rapid tooling usually has 1 to 2 cavs, and the tooling plays a role in confirming the initial sample, turning the drawing file into a real object. Because silicone rubber has good elasticity, the product produced may not be exactly the same as the picture. At this time, we need to make the rapid tooling and produce the sample for the customer to confirm. If it does not meet the requirements, modify the structure of the product.

Before making the mold of the silicone product, we must first consider the selection of the mold material, and determine the material of the mold according to the quality, quantity and structure of the product. Mold material selection is the most important link in the entire mold manufacturing process. The mold material selection needs to meet three requirements: first, the mold should meet the work requirements of wear resistance, toughness, etc.; second, meet the process requirements; third, the mold should meet the economic applicability requirements.

Mold manufacturing generally has to go through several processes such as forging, cutting, and heat treatment. In order to ensure the quality of mold manufacturing and reduce production costs, the material should have good forgeability, machinability, hardenability, hardenability, and Grindability; should also have a small oxidation, decarburization sensitivity and quenching deformation cracking tendency.

In addition, the production and supply of the market should also be considered when selecting materials, and the selected steel grades should be as few and concentrated as possible, and it is easy to buy.

Only by understanding the knowledge of mold material selection can the advantages of the mold be better utilized, and then a better and higher-quality mold can be made.