Silicone injection molding starts with the preparation of raw materials in two containers. One container holds the base forming material while the other contains the catalyst. These two substances are mixed and released into the mold cavity by a special pump. Once the mold has been prepared, the silicone is pumped into the mold cavity under high pressure with the use of an injection screw. The temperature, pressure, and pistons are adjusted to suit the design of the customer part.
The two-part silicone compound, A and B, is mixed and heated. Once melted, silicone is injected into the mold. Properly designed gate and runner systems ensure that the silicone fills the mold completely. Mold pressure and temperature are controlled to ensure that the mold conforms to the desired shape and hardens quickly. An ejector pin is used to remove the finished product from the mold cavity. Once the mold is filled to specifications, it can be reused for the next molding cycle.
The advantages of liquid silicone rubber over HCR include its great resistance to water, ozone, weather, and extreme temperatures. It is also a versatile material and can be injected into molds. It is also highly compatible with other materials like plastic, nylon, and metals. Moreover, liquid silicone rubber can be cured within a minute. That makes silicone injection molding a cost-effective and time-saving process. Further, this process can be fully automated, reducing labor costs.
Once the mold has been filled with the liquid silicone, the molding process begins. The temperatures are increased to accelerate the crosslinking reaction, which results in a material transition from a liquid to a solid state. A silicone injection mold can take as little as a day for the first component prototype. As with most other thermoplastic materials, silicone has a wide range of properties. The best way to choose a mold for your project is to consult a qualified silicone injection molding expert.
One method of silicone overmolding is with the use of a multi-shot or insert molding process. This molding method shoots two different resins into a mold and then overmolds the parts. This molding process is more expensive than double-shot molding. Unlike other processes, double-shot molding is the best choice for high-volume production. You can use either of these two processes to mold your product. However, both methods are highly recommended for larger-scale production.
When it comes to manufacturing a medical device, there are several advantages to choosing silicone injection molding as a manufacturing method. The silicone molds are produced on continuous machines. The process results in a high output rate and very little downtime. For the most accurate silicone molding results, it is vital to use a quality mold made of a high-grade material. A top-quality mold is one that offers high-volume, thin-wall PEEK molding.
With a liquid silicone molding, the silicone rubber flows as easily as a stream of silicone rubber. The tooling design does not need to be intricate. It also doesn’t require tilt angles to remove the finished material from the tooling. The finished material is easily removed from the mold, and the gasket isn’t ripped or deformed. The resulting silicone-polymer products are ready for production. And silicone injection molding is a fast and efficient way to create the product that your customers will love.