Why Process Discipline Defines a Great Rubber Injection Molding Company
The rubber injection molding industry is more competitive than ever. With manufacturers offering similar equipment, materials, and capabilities, it can be difficult to understand which partner will offer the best services. But the rubber injection molding companies that deliver high-quality rubber components stand out with one thing: They’re winning on process discipline. Below, we’re exploring what process discipline is and how Moldtech uses it to create quality products, every time.
What Is Process Discipline?
Process discipline involves adhering to documented procedures and standards at every stage of production. It means that when an operator sets up a job, they follow the documented steps every time. And when a material is pulled from storage, it’s handled according to protocol. With these steps in place, you can be sure that every part in every run will be made according to the right specifications.
Why Process Discipline Is Important for Rubber Injection Molding Companies
Working with rubber is quite different from working with thermoplastics. Thermoplastics can often be remelted and reprocessed. However, rubber undergoes an irreversible chemical reaction called vulcanization. Once a part is cured, you can’t undo it. That’s why process control is so important. It minimizes errors and reduces the amount of scrap during the process.
Where Process Discipline Shows Up on the Shop Floor
Material Handling
Material handling is the first line of defense. Rubber compounds should be stored at controlled temperatures and protected from contamination. These steps are documented, tracked, and followed without exception.
Machine Setup
This is perhaps the most important part of process discipline in the injection molding process. Your manufacturer should ensure that injection pressure, cure time, mold temperature, shot size, and dozens of other variables are laid out for the operator. This reduces costs associated with human error.
In-Process Monitoring
Monitoring should happen during the rubber injection molding process, as well. Certain methods can be used to allow teams to detect issues early and make corrections before scrap accumulates.
Mold Maintenance and Cleaning Cycles
Injection molds can be extremely costly, so it’s important to take care of them. A mold that isn’t cleaned and maintained on schedule may produce flash, surface defects, and dimensional variation. Documented schedules and processes can keep issues from happening.
How Moldtech Uses Process Discipline to Create Quality Parts
Rubber injection molding companies must take process discipline seriously to create the best components. At Moldtech, we do just that. For decades, we’ve been providing high-quality components through our time-tested processes. Our vertically integrated facility in Lancaster, NY, gives us the ability to handle the entire process from start to finish. When you partner with us, you’ll spend less time managing multiple suppliers and retain full control over your products.
Our facility has nearly 50,000 square feet of production space and operates 24 hours a day, five days a week. With this schedule, we’re able to respond quickly to urgent demands. In fact, many businesses partner with us because we can adapt to changing demands and get them to market faster. Whether you need single prototypes or large-scale production runs, we’ve got you covered.
Additionally, we have cleanrooms and climate-controlled workspaces for sensitive projects. That’s why some of the biggest companies in the world trust us with their products. Organizations like Boeing, Bosch, Johnson & Johnson, and the U.S. military all rely on us. If you’re ready to learn more, contact our team today.