Silicone Elastomers Technology and Fabrication
Receive a comprehensive overview of silicone elastomers, including basic silicone chemistry, types of silicone elastomers, manufacturing processes, fabrication techniques, problem-solving and application areas. With an emphasis on liquid injection molding, learn from a panel of experts in the silicone field, and discuss specific projects of interest.
Featured in this course is a one-day “field trip” to M.R. Mold & Engineering Corp. during which attendees experience all the manufacturing processes involved in producing an actual liquid silicone rubber part including material selection, pump design and operation, tool design considerations, injection molding machine setup and operation, and flow analysis.
This course will be held at the Embassy Suites in Anaheim, Orange, CA. Reserve your room today!
Who Should Attend
- Entry-level and experienced rubber technologists
- Rubber chemists
- Process engineers
- Laboratory managers, supervisors, technicians
- Shop foremen
- Quality assurance managers and engineers
- Technical sales personnel
- Rubber producers and users
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
- Visit M.R. Mold & Engineering Corp. to experience the production of an actual liquid silicone rubber part
- Observe pump design and operation, machine setup and operation, flow analysis and more
- Understand material selection, dispensing methods, injection molding process, tool design and bonding alternatives
Course Outline/Topics
Silicone Elastomer Technology
- Silicone Product Categories
- Why Silicone?
- Silicone Markets and Applications
- Silicone Manufacturing Process
- Nomenclature
- HCE/HCR Technology
- LIM/LSR Technology
- Testing and Specifications
- Elastomer Properties
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR / LIM)
- Why Liquid Silicones?
- Comparison with HCE and TPE
- Process Overview
- Dispensing Systems
- Injection Equipment
- Molding Parameters
- Automation
- Demolding
- Flow Analysis and Simulation
- Troubleshooting
Tooling Design and Construction
- Materials
- Machining Methods
- Hot Runner vs. Cold Runner
- Valve Gate vs. Open Gate
- Venting and Gating
- Cavitation
- Balanced Design
- Do’s and Don’ts
Adhesion and Bonding of Silicone Rubber
- Definition of Adhesion
- Types of Adhesion
- Measurement of Adhesion
- Overmolding
- Two Component Molding
- Surface Modification
- Troubleshooting
Class Project
- Performance Objectives
- Material and Equipment Requirements
- Prototyping
- Cost Analysis
- Debugging
Dates and locations to be announced.