SILICONE MOLDS

Everything you need to know about silicone molds and the materials that can be used.

The production of objects by means of silicone molds makes it possible to have objects that are aesthetically identical to a model produced by injection molding in a short period of time.

There are countless resins suitable for any customer’s needs, from clear resin ideal for light fixtures to high-temperature resistant resin, medical resin used for medical equipment to biocompatible resin; rubber-like resins on different Shore_A scales can also be used.

This technology is useful for small and medium production runs as the lifetime of the silicone mold is limited to about 25 replications, for further runs another mold must be made.

Below you will find a detailed description of the way of silicone molds.

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Silicone molds

The production of objects through the production of silicone molds, allows for objects that are aesthetically perfect and identical to a model produced with injection molds, has neither surface defects nor machining marks.

The end use is suitable for exhibition fairs, daily use but not with applied forces, representative use, use for dimensional testing, parts to be replaced no longer in production.

Approximately 25 replicas can be produced for each silicone mold, after which it will be necessary to produce a new mold for the next series.

The processing steps begin with the production of the master model by stereolithography, then the silicone mold is prepared; vacuum injection of the designated resin dento the silicone mold is carried out, and finally the model is extracted.

A final stage of surface finishing by painting is always provided.

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Types of materials

Numerous types of resins are available that are suitable for each type of end use of the models.

We can produce items with rigid or rubber-like materials according to the Shore_A scale suitable, for example, for gaskets, materials certified for both the medical and optical sectors, materials with characteristics suitable for more durable models as well as materials more suitable for aesthetics.

For small and medium series

The production of models made with this technology is 80 percent manual, making it unsuitable for large production runs; instead, it is an excellent solution for small and medium production runs.

About 20-25 replicas can be made with each silicone mold and then replaced with a new mold.

Final surface finishing

Each model produced with siliocnic molds, must pass through the painting department where it will be treated and finished according to the customer’s requirement.

Different types of surface finishing are possible:

1) Calssic gloss and matte painting made by gun and with color shade according to RAL scale

2) Finishing with soft touch effect

3) Chrome plating (very delicate and only possible with certain types of resins) suitable for interior light fixtures

4) Pulling at maximum transparency (glass-like) for transparent resins.

5) Colored paint, but clear (like taillight)

6) Application of lettering and logos by digital printing