How Custom Rubber Moulding Improves Efficiency in Heavy Machinery

Although heavy machinery may appear strong and durable on the outside, in reality it comprises a multitude of parts that all need to be kept working. Consequently, they will require protection and that protection is largely provided by rubber moulding products.

Standard mouldings are readily available but their use is generally limited to basic equipment that is not subject to great challenges. Heavy machinery, however, is expected to work well and reliably in often extreme conditions where only rubber mouldings that are specially made for the environment will do the job.

Types of Custom Rubber Mouldings

Rubber mouldings are of different types with varying purposes:

• Gaskets that create seals to prevent the leakage of liquids and gases.
• O-rings that form a circular seal to prevent leakage at the join between two components.
• Bushings and dampers that absorb shocks, reduce movement and lessen noise and vibration.
• Grommets that protect cables from stress and damage.
• Liners that reduce impact and vibration.

Problems Experienced When Using Standard Rubber Mouldings

All heavy machinery is designed to carry out specific processing tasks and is precisely made from several component parts. Each of these parts has to work correctly and even a small difference in size and fitting for a rubber moulding can prevent this.

Standard rubber mouldings are available in a limited range of styles and sizes, and are made from basic materials, which limit their usefulness when they are part of a heavy machinery set-up:

• Rubber gaskets that are too large, even only slightly, cannot form an effective seal and are likely to cause leaks. Conversely, those that are too small will be compressed too much and will eventually lose their elasticity or crack, also resulting in leakage.
• Rubber bushings that are too big will be loose, allowing excessive movement during high-speed operation so that parts can become worn or misaligned. Bushings that are too small and tight will restrict movement, causing too much friction and premature wear of components.
• Badly fitted mouldings can slip while those that are too tight will be difficult to install and remove, making maintenance more difficult and costly.
• Harsh chemicals that are present in a process will cause the deterioration and eventual failure of rubber mouldings made from unsuitable materials. Extremes of temperature and high pressure will have a similar effect.

Standard rubber mouldings are not intended for extreme environments or to fit specially made heavy machinery. As a result, their use will cause excessive downtime, reduced productivity and lower profitability.

Benefits of Custom Rubber Mouldings

Every custom rubber moulding is specifically made for the part of the heavy machinery where it is used. It will, therefore, be able to contribute towards improved efficiency:

• Custom gaskets and O-rings will fit perfectly with a tight seal that will not leak, which is vital where safety is a priority.
• Mounts and bushings distribute the load evenly and are manufactured precisely for the pressure applied by a machine, reducing stress and vibration.
• Materials are selected to have exactly the required hardness and so restrict movement and absorb impact.
• Selected materials are resistant to the conditions imposed by a machine, whether temperature extremes, high pressure or abrasive liquids, and so will not deteriorate.

The cumulative effect of customisation is that rubber mouldings will do their job reliably without failing. This reduces maintenance costs and downtime, improves productivity and increases the overall efficiency of the heavy machinery. We can help you to achieve all the benefits of customised rubber mouldings so contact us and we will produce exactly what you need.