This section provides a concise overview of Rubber Molding Machines, detailing their core functions, various operational methods (compression, transfer, and injection molding), and essential applications in manufacturing. It also clarifies the differences between various molding machine types, compares the longevity of rubber versus silicone, and lists 10 global Rubber Molding Machine manufacturers as of July 2025—including KraussMaffei, REP International, and Arburg—highlighting their contributions to specialized rubber product manufacturing.
What is a Rubber Molding Machine?
A rubber molding machine is a device used to shape rubber materials into specific forms. It is essential in manufacturing industries for producing rubber products like seals, gaskets, and tires.
Rubber molding machines operate by applying heat and pressure to mold rubber into desired shapes. These machines primarily use three methods: compression, transfer, and injection molding.
- Compression Molding: Rubber is placed in a heated mold cavity, and pressure is applied until it takes the shape of the mold.
- Transfer Molding: Rubber is pre-heated and forced into a mold cavity through a transfer chamber.
- Injection Molding: Rubber is heated and injected directly into a mold cavity, allowing for high precision and efficiency.
These machines are crucial in automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods industries, where consistent and precise rubber parts are necessary. Their ability to produce complex shapes and structures is vital for modern manufacturing processes.
What are the different types of moulding machines?
Moulding machines primarily include injection moulding, blow moulding, compression moulding, and rotational moulding machines, each suited for specific applications and materials.
Injection moulding machines are widely used for creating high-precision plastic parts by injecting molten material into a mould. Blow moulding machines focus on producing hollow plastic products like bottles through a process involving air-blowing molten resin. Compression moulding machines are ideal for shaping thermosetting plastics by pressing heated material in a mould cavity. Rotational moulding machines manufacture large, hollow items such as tanks by heating and rotating the mould.
- Injection Moulding: High precision, suited for small to medium-sized parts.
- Blow Moulding: Produces hollow items, common in packaging.
- Compression Moulding: Best for thermosetting plastics, utilizes pressure and heat.
- Rotational Moulding: Creates large, hollow structures, uses heat and rotation.
These machines are integral to industries like automotive, packaging, and consumer goods, where specific manufacturing needs dictate the choice of moulding process.
Which lasts longer, rubber or silicone?
Silicone generally lasts longer than rubber due to its superior resistance to environmental factors.
Silicone is a synthetic polymer known for its durability and flexibility, making it ideal for applications requiring long-term reliability. It withstands extreme temperatures, UV light, and weathering, whereas rubber may degrade under similar conditions. Here’s why silicone often outlasts rubber:
- Temperature Resistance: Silicone can endure temperatures from -60°C to 200°C, whereas rubber typically ranges from -40°C to 70°C.
- UV and Ozone Resistance: Silicone resists UV radiation and ozone, preventing cracking and maintaining integrity.
- Chemical Resistance: Silicone is resistant to many chemicals, oils, and solvents, unlike rubber, which may deteriorate.
Applications benefiting from silicone’s longevity include automotive components, kitchenware, and medical devices. Rubber, however, is often used where cost efficiency and moderate durability are sufficient, such as in tires and seals. When selecting materials, consider the environmental conditions and longevity requirements of your specific use case.
What are the methods of rubber molding?
Rubber molding primarily involves three methods: compression molding, transfer molding, and injection molding, each offering unique advantages for different applications.
Compression Molding
- Process: Involves placing pre-measured rubber into a heated mold cavity.
- Advantages: Cost-effective for large, simple parts with low waste.
- Applications: Used in automotive parts, seals, and gaskets.
Transfer Molding
- Process: Rubber is placed in a chamber and then forced into a mold cavity.
- Advantages: Better for complex shapes and allows for tighter tolerances.
- Applications: Ideal for producing small, intricate parts like electrical components.
Injection Molding
- Process: Rubber is preheated and injected into a mold cavity at high pressure.
- Advantages: High precision and efficient for mass production.
- Applications: Commonly used in manufacturing parts for medical devices and consumer products.
Each method is selected based on product complexity, production volume, and material characteristics, ensuring optimal performance and cost-efficiency.
10 Rubber Molding Machine Suppliers Worldwide
This list synthesizes market position, technical expertise, and global reputation, covering the leading companies in rubber injection, compression, and transfer molding.
- KraussMaffei
KraussMaffei is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of machinery and systems for producing and processing plastics and rubber. In its rubber molding machine business, the company offers high-tech rubber injection molding machines known for their outstanding precision, efficiency, and level of automation. These machines are widely used in the automotive industry (e.g., seals, damping elements) and for manufacturing industrial products.
Country: Germany
Address: Krauss-Maffei-Strasse 2, 80997 Munich, Germany
TEI: +49-89-8899-0
Website:https://www.kraussmaffei.com
Products:
- Horizontal and vertical rubber injection molding machines.
- Special solutions for O-rings, seals, and complex molded parts.
- Automation systems and complete production cells.
- Digital process control and data acquisition systems.
- REP International
REP is a world-leading manufacturer of rubber injection molding machines. This French company has specialized in rubber injection technology since 1948, and its invented injection principle has become an industry standard. REP’s presses are known for their high performance, reliability, and innovative solutions, serving the global automotive, electrical, and pharmaceutical industries.
Country: France
Address: 15, Rue du Dauphiné, 69960 Corbas, France
TEI: +33-4-72-21-53-53
Website:https://www.repinjection.com
Products:
- G10 Series: Energy-efficient rubber injection presses.
- Vertical and horizontal presses.
- Multi-injection units for multi-component molding.
- Compression and composite molding presses.
- Arburg GmbH + Co KG
Arburg is a top global manufacturer of plastic processing machines that also provides expert injection molding solutions for elastomers (like LSR, HTV, and rubber). The modular design of its ALLROUNDER machines allows for flexible configurations to meet the stringent requirements of rubber molding for precision and process stability.
Country: Germany
Address: Arthur-Hehl-Strasse, 72290 Lossburg, Germany
TEI: +49-7446-33-0
Website:https://www.arburg.com
Products:
- ALLROUNDER Series: Injection molding machines adaptable for rubber and LSR processing.
- Specialized kits for elastomer processing.
- Robotic systems for automation.
- Turnkey solutions.
- ENGEL Austria GmbH
As a global leader in injection molding technology, ENGEL also offers advanced molding solutions for elastomers and thermosets. Its elast series of rubber molding machines is known for its flexibility and high efficiency. Whether vertical or horizontal, ENGEL provides customers with customized services from standalone machines to fully automated production cells.
Country: Austria
Address: Ludwig-Engel-Strasse 1, A-4311 Schwertberg, Austria
TEI: +43-50-620-0
Website:https://www.engelglobal.com
Products:
- elast Series: Vertical and horizontal injection molding machines for elastomer processing.
- flexseal Series: Efficient production cell for O-rings and flat seals.
- Tie-bar-less technology for easy mold change and automation.
- Integrated automation and process technology support.
- Maplan GmbH
Maplan is an Austrian company focused on developing and manufacturing high-quality injection molding machines for the elastomer industry. The company is known for its innovative technology, energy efficiency, and user-friendliness. Its rubber molding machines are used worldwide to produce high-precision technical molded parts.
Country: Austria
Address: Schoellergasse 9, 2630 Ternitz, Austria
TEI: +43-2630-35706
Website:https://www.maplan.at/en/
Products:
- Ergonomic vertical rubber injection machines.
- Horizontal rubber injection machines.
- C-frame machines.
- FIFO (First-in, First-out) injection units.
- Pan Stone Hydraulic Industries Co., Ltd.
Pan Stone is a leading Asian manufacturer of rubber molding machines, with headquarters in Taiwan, China. The company produces high-quality rubber injection and compression molding machines, renowned in the global market for their robust design, reliable performance, and excellent technical support.
Country: Taiwan, China
Address: No.10, Aly. 145, Taiming Rd., Wuri Dist., Taichung City, Taiwan
TEI: +886-4-2335-8499
Website:https://www.panstone.com
Products:
- Rubber Injection Molding Machines.
- Vacuum Compression Molding Machines.
- Silicone Injection Molding Machines.
- Conveyor Belt Vulcanizing Press.
- French Oil Mill Machinery Company
French is a historic American manufacturer of industrial presses, providing highly engineered hydraulic press systems. Its product line includes compression and transfer molding presses for rubber and composites, known for their ruggedness, durability, and ability to be custom-designed for specific applications.
Country: USA
Address: 1035 West Greene Street, Piqua, Ohio 45356, USA
TEI: +1-937-773-3420
Website:https://www.frenchoil.com
Products:
- Compression Molding Presses.
- Transfer Molding Presses.
- Hydraulic Press Systems.
- Polymer Dewatering and Drying Equipment.
- Wabash MPI
Wabash MPI is a leading American manufacturer of standard and custom hydraulic and pneumatic presses. The company has a strong reputation for producing high-quality compression molding machines used for rubber, thermoset plastics, and composites, serving laboratory and production applications.
Country: USA
Address: 1569 Morris Street, Wabash, IN 46992, USA
TEI: +1-260-563-1184
Website:https://www.wabashmpi.com
Products:
- Hydraulic Compression Presses.
- Transfer Molding Presses.
- Vacuum Presses.
- Pneumatic and Laboratory Presses.
- DEKUMA Rubber and Plastic Technology
DEKUMA is a prominent Chinese technology enterprise specializing in rubber and silicone injection molding machines. The company provides efficient and intelligent molding solutions for global customers in sectors like automotive, energy, electronics, and healthcare, with a focus on automation and turnkey systems.
Country: China
Address: No.1, Keyuan 3rd Road, Songshan Lake, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
TEI: +86-769-2220-8000
Website:https://www.dekuma.com
Products:
- Rubber Injection Molding Machines (Vertical, Horizontal, C-Frame).
- LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber) Injection Molding Machines.
- Thermoset & BMC Injection Machines.
- Turnkey Solutions.
- HF Group
The HF Group is a German technology leader and part of the Possehl Group. While diversified, its HF TireTech Group is a world leader in machinery for tire manufacturing. This includes advanced tire curing presses, which are highly specialized rubber molding machines essential for vulcanizing tires.
Country: Germany
Address: Frankenwerft 21, 50667 Cologne, Germany
TEI: +49-40-77179-0
Website:https://www.hf-group.com
Products:
- Tire Curing Presses (Vulcanizing Presses).
- Tire Building Machines.
- Extruders and Rubber Mixers.
- Engineering and Automation for the Tire Industry.
