Influence of production process to product performance

Manufacturing rubber components is a complex process. It is well known, that this manufacturing process influences the properties of the final part. It is a challenge to install a reliable production process after the development process of a rubber part, that includes the material choice and in many cases the choice of the bonding system and the tooling geometry. The goal is for example to achieve a necessary stiffness and fatigue performance of the final rubber part. Thus the step from the single development and manufacturing to mass production is very important for later part performance. In this step many mistakes can occur. This paper discusses some parameters of the production process and shows effects in the final part that can be influenced by the production process.