Technical
Summary |
|
The tool is usually
made by forming an aluminium rod into the desired inner shape of
the product. When the tool is warmed up, it's dipped in a bath
containing the liquid material. As soon as the material, that
sticks to the tool, has reached it's desired thickness, the tool
is cooled down and the (seamless) hardened product can be stripped
of. |
| Materials |
|
PVC (vinyl), neoprene, natuur
rubber latex (chloropreen). |
| Requirements |
|
PVC products can vary
in thickness between 0,5 and 8,0 mm. Neoprene and latex products
have a minimum of 0,1 mm thickness. Besides, latex has a maximum
of 2,0 mm. All gradiations between flexibel and semi-rigid can be
realised. Resistancy to oil, ozone and extreme temperatures
(fire-retardant) are easy to get with the mentioned materials. |
| Production |
|
Because of the
relatively simple production of the tool, prototypes can be made
within 2 or 3 weeks. By doing so, the costs of both the
productiontool and the prototypetool are very low, so production
of small to medium quantities are already paying off. This
production method is also suitable for medium large quantities,
when quantities become too large or tolerances must be very
precise we switch to injection moulding. |
| Result |
|
Best known examples are bellows,
caps, grips and hoses. But because of the favourable
productionspeed and costs, it appears that continuously new
applications of dip moulding are founded, for example balloons,
protective shoes, instrumenthoses, medical applications, etc. |
| Extra
possibilities |
|
When PVC is used as
material, the product can be made in a great variaty of colours
and styles, like mat, glossy or transparant. When using neoprene
or natural rubber, the product can only be made of a limited
spectrum of colours and will get a mat texture. Prints on the
product are very well possible, also are after-treatments. |
| Examples |
|
Some product examples
can be found here, here
and here |
|
