Covered-mold (silicone duplication) tooling copies an existing part in silicone rubber to mold small batches without steel tooling — the fastest route from a bare sample to functional parts. Use cases, limits and economics.
Compression molding makes discrete 3D parts; extrusion makes continuous profiles cut to length. This comparison covers achievable geometry, tolerances, tooling cost, batch economics and typical products — plus how the two combine in one project.
Flash, sink marks, bubbles, flow lines, short shots and dimensional drift: what each defect tells you about tooling, process or compound — and the corrective action for each, from a production floor perspective.
For outdoor equipment, ozone, UV and temperature cycling kill seals faster than pressure. Silicone and EPDM are the two weather-proof families — this article compares them for solar, telecom, EV charging and outdoor cabinet applications.
Straight answers to the six questions every buyer asks: why molds cost money, when existing molds work, what MOQ really depends on, how fee refund works, who owns the mold, and when moldless production is possible.
A step-by-step walkthrough of a typical sampling project: RFQ review, DFM feedback, mold design, tooling in 7 days, first articles with inspection reports, and revision loops — with realistic timelines at each stage.
Five verifiable checks before you commit: real factory evidence (equipment, certifications, audits), engineering response quality, sampling policy, quality system documentation, and export track record. A practical checklist for OEM buyers sourcing silicone parts from China.
Liquid Silicone Rubber injection suits complex precision parts: tight tolerances, flash-free edges, full automation and medical-grade consistency. Learn how LSR compares with compression molding and when its tooling premium pays back.
Shore A 20-80 covers most sealing and damping applications: 20-40 for soft seals and pads, 50-70 the general-purpose band, 70-90 for load-bearing parts. This article explains how hardness interacts with compression set, sealing force and damping, with typical values per application.
Silicone offers -70~232°C stability, food/medical grades and weather resistance; rubber families (NBR, EPDM, FKM) win on oil resistance and cost. This guide compares temperature, chemical resistance, hardness, compliance and unit cost so buyers can pick the right compound family before requesting a quote.