Reduced Cycle Times:

Keypads and components typically have a cycle time of approximately 30 seconds – 2 minutes depends on the shape, size, and complexity of the part.

Flash-less Tooling:

Liquid silicone injection molds inject the liquid silicone after the mold has closed. With the utilization of flash rings, venting air tracks, and a well-designed runner system the tooling leaves little to no flash on the final parts.

No Pre-Forms Needed:

Liquid silicone rubber injection molding requires no pre-forms. A pre-form is a basic shape of the end product that is placed into each cavity during compression molding. These pre-forms need to be a surplus of material which insures a total cavity fill of materials. The excess material is pressed between the two molds causing flash around all fo the cavities.

Production of Insert Molded Components:

Injection molding silicone rubber allows for the placement of pre-molded clear silicone inserts within the tool. The clear silicone inserts become “over-molded” with the desired color creating a seamless bond. between the insert and over-mold. This allows for the blockage of light between keys and eliminates the need for the customer to designing custom light blocking components within the PCB. The clear inserts can also be used for display windows to show components or digital screen behind the silicone keypad. The cross-link bond that over-molding silicone inserts creates, allows for a leak-proof keypad or component.

Minimal Material Waste:

Material is only wasted within the sprue and runner syste leading to the component or keypad, and this can be eliminated with the use of a cold runner system. Cold runner systems keep the silicone cool within the runner and sprue to keep the silicone from curing. These systems are typically only used on large quantity orders where the material waste begins to have an effect on the cost.

Contact Si-Tech

Check out more useful information in our application guide located here! Contact us today at 757-887-8488.