Tel: 757-887-8488

140 Harwood Drive

Newport News, VA 23603

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Silicone Rubber Molding Design

Silicone Rubber Molding Design: Rules and Recommendations
Welcome to our guide on the essential rules and recommendations for designing silicone rubber molded products. Our approach combines technical precision with practical guidelines to ensure the highest quality in your molded devices and components.

1. Manufacturability Musts:

  • Rule: Design with manufacturing ease and efficiency as primary goals.
  • Recommendation: Incorporate considerations like part geometry and material selection early to minimize costly mid-production changes.

2. Dimensional Standards:

  • Rule: Adhere to specific minimum measurements: 0.010 inches for radii and 0.020 inches for deep pockets or cavities.
  • Recommendation: Maintain these standards to preserve product integrity and functionality.

3. Keypad Design Specifications:

  • Rule: Keys taller than 0.500 inches must have a minimum draft of 2°; those over 0.200 inches, a draft of 1°.
  • Recommendation: Allowing for draft in your design eases the manufacturability of your part.

4. Keypad Mat Thickness:

  • Rule: The thickness should be within a 0.040 to 0.150-inch range.
  • Recommendation: Optimize thickness for the desired force profile and longevity.

5. Backlighting Integration:

  • Rules:
    o Maximum undercut depth for feature windows: 0.250 inches.
    o Minimum thickness for insert-molded windows: 0.030 inches.
  • Recommendations: Carefully design LED inserts and light pipes to optimize backlighting effectiveness.

6. Shrinkage and Tolerance Considerations:

  • Rule: Silicone shrinks between 2-3% during the demolding process. And will expand and contract with temperature differences.
  • Recommendation: Carefully design within Class M1 tolerances of ISO 3302 to accommodate for shrinkage and thermal expansion. Allowing for larger tolerances will ease manufacturability.

7. Comprehensive Design Checklist:

  • Rules: Define clear specifications for keypad size, colors, mat thickness, key dimensions, mounting details, and actuation force.
  • Recommendation: Ensure a comprehensive approach to design, considering every aspect from functionality to aesthetics.
 
Remember, these rules and recommendations are your blueprint for success in the complex world of silicone rubber molding. Adhering to them will not only enhance the quality of your products but also streamline your manufacturing process. Contact us at 757-887-8488 to discuss how we can turn your concept into a high-quality, precisely designed product.

With over 75 years of experience in silicone keypad design and molding, we are committed to providing complete customer satisfaction with the highest quality products in a successful and timely manner. The customer is and has always been the focus of our business.

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Silicone Technology Corp. manufactures out of Newport News, Virginia. Custom silicone rubber keypads are just one of the many products manufactured by Silicone Technology Corp. We use a unique injection molding process with Dow and Momentive Silicones. This combination of technology and quality offers you a competitive domestic supplier of custom keypads and other silicone rubber products.

  • 140 Harwood Drive
  • Newport News, VA 23603 USA

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