ABSTRACT

While Another Has Too Much Flow........................................... 539 16.6 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 539 References ............................................................................................................. 541

While the basic technology of compression, transfer, and injection molding of rubber has existed for many years, industry requirements for greater performance, improved quality, and improved value have increased. Along with these increasing requirements, the relentless pressure from Automotive, Consumer Products, Heavy Equipment, and Aerospace for reduced costs has forced rubber molders to rethink and reengineer existing processes as well as invest in new processes. During this time of change, frustrations arise when the promise of an easy conversion from, for example, compression to injection molding suddenly becomes a black hole of effort and money. Unfortunately, many of these changes are driven by business concerns and application of the existing scientific knowledge base and the use of good problem-solving techniques are often neglected in up-front design.