Plastic and rubber molding services play a key role in many manufacturing processes for various industries. Each industry depends on materials made from molding processes to increase the functionality of its products. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we manufacture high-quality materials that meet our clients’ demands. Here are seven industries that use molding services:

1. Automotive

The automotive industry uses plastic- and rubber-molded products to produce components that enhance a vehicle’s safety, performance, and comfort. These products include tires and seals to prevent flat tires while driving. Interior and exterior elements include bumpers, door panels, and interior trims. Engine parts like hoses, belts, and mounts support the engine and are heat resistant. Manufacturers also use rubber and plastic moldings for electrical wiring coverings.

2. Healthcare and Medical Equipment

Healthcare industries rely on rubber and plastic molding products to produce safe, sterile components for patient care and medical advancements. These include medical devices such as ventilators, blood pressure monitors, and diagnostic equipment. Other products, such as surgical instruments, use rubber for sterile solutions. Manufacturers use custom-molded materials to make lightweight prosthetic and orthotic devices.

3. Consumer Goods

Rubber molded products are designed for everyday household items, such as kitchen utensils and tools like silicone baking molds. Many toys are rubber-molded to make sure they are child- or user-friendly. Soles and inserts in footwear are often molded from rubber to be slip-resistant while providing comfort. Other household moldings contribute to personal care products and their ergonomic design. 

4. Electronics and Electrical

Plastic and rubber molding services create protective coverings for wires to resist environmental factors like heat and moisture. Plastic moldings are also used to make connectors, sockets, and plugs to house wiring connections and prevent the wires from touching. This can prevent sparks. Household electronic devices contain lightweight molded pieces to protect components from dust, water, and other contaminants. 

5. Construction and Infrastructure

In construction, piping and fittings use rubber gaskets to seal plumbing and water management systems. Rubber molding services also create seals for windows, doors, and HVAC systems for weatherproofing and maintaining energy efficiency. Plastic and rubber are necessary to produce personal protection gear such as safety boots, gloves, and eyewear.

6. Renewable Energy

Engineers use molded rubber seals in dams and turbines to make sure they are water-tight. Rubber hoses are utilized because they can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures. Plastic framing protects solar panels from environmental conditions.

7. Aerospace

Components on aircraft, such as shock absorbers and fuel system parts, are from rubber molding services. Even items inside the aircraft, like tray tables and door handles, are built from moldings. These parts are durable enough to withstand changes in air pressure during take-off and landing.

Schedule Rubber Molding Services Today

Plastic and rubber molding services are used in industries worldwide, offering durable and lightweight materials. Our rubber molds support natural rubber, neoprene, and nitrile. From vehicle safety and medical equipment to everyday household products, molding services are integral to manufacturing. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we deliver top-quality molding services to fit your needs. Call us today to schedule production for your next project.

The extrusion process allows custom products to be manufactured for a variety of projects. Clark Rubber & Plastic is a manufacturer that offers rubber and plastic extrusion services. Here are several things to look for when choosing a company for your extrusion project: 

Meets Product Requirements for Industries

Find a company that offers rubber and plastic extrusion products that meet industry standards. Appliances that require rubber and plastic products should withstand regular usage and high temperatures. In a military environment, rubber and plastic components are expected to meet strict regulatory compliance standards to endure extreme conditions and provide constant reliability. Rubber and plastic components also help uphold the structural integrity of solar equipment. Look for a manufacturer that prioritizes using high-quality materials during the extrusion process and creating long-lasting components. 

Clark Rubber & Plastic serves the appliance, automotive, consumer, military, and solar industries. We utilize a quality system as part of all company operations to make sure that our products meet your industry’s production and safety requirements. We use certified materials and provide uniform density and structural integrity for our high-quality products. Clark Rubber & Plastic has received a UL certification of compliance for QMFZ2.E356537 Plastics-Component.

Handles Long and Short Product Runs 

When selecting a company for extrusion products, check their manufacturing and production volume capabilities. If you are creating a prototype or a single product, see if the company offers short product runs. If your project requires a longer run, talk to the company about their facilities and rate of production. Ask about turnaround and lead times to make sure the company’s production process aligns with your project timeline. 

Our manufacturing plant can manage all project sizes and complexity levels. Clark Rubber & Plastic can provide a variety of profiles and shapes for your plastic and rubber extrusion products. With six newer extrusion lines and a 40,000-square-foot facility dedicated to plastic operations, we provide both high- and low-volume production services and offer a quick turnaround time.

Provides a Variety of Services

Find a manufacturer that provides multiple services, such as assembling, milling, and packaging. This allows you to work with a single company to fulfill your project needs, which can help reduce production time. You will not need to work with multiple suppliers to complete one project. Clark Rubber & Plastic creates our own tooling with state-of-the-art equipment. Our die-cutting services allow us to meet precise specifications for different products. Clark Rubber & Plastic’s other services include custom CNC turning, digital printing, taping, kitting, and milling.

Plastic Extrusion Services at Clark Rubber & Plastic

We incorporate equipment that utilizes multiple plastic extrusion techniques, allowing us to combine two to three materials with different properties. Extrusion products we offer include rubber seals and tubing, solid-cored profiles, and plastic tubing and sleeves. Our team at Clark Rubber & Plastic will discuss your project needs with you, going over the project requirements and industry specifications. We can also recommend materials and make design suggestions. We invite you to call us today or request a quote for our rubber or plastic extrusion services. 

If your business needs to create custom parts for your products, plastic extrusion is a good solution. This manufacturing process helps businesses in many industries create a high volume of uniform components. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we offer custom plastic extrusion services. Here’s more information about the extrusion processes and what makes it useful:

Plastic Extrusion

Extruded plastic is formed by placing polymers into a heated chamber. The high heat melts the plastic to create a smooth, moldable material. Melted plastic moves into a mold, where it is forced into a unique shape. Once the plastic is extruded, manufacturers allow it to cool fully before cutting it to size and preparing it for transport. This helps the product maintain its intended shape during use.

Product Uniformity

During the plastic extrusion process, manufacturers filter the melted polymer to remove any impurities or contaminants that could weaken the final product. This careful preparation results in a large number of high-quality plastic parts with the same structural makeup. The die molds also promote uniformity as each batch of extruded plastic will match the custom shape and size of the mold.

Production Speed

One benefit of the extrusion process is the ability to create many identical parts in a short amount of time. Automated extrusion machinery makes the manufacturing process more efficient and saves companies time and effort. Manufacturers program automated equipment to perform repetitive tasks with consistent results. Once the manufacturer has a digital design for the intended product, they can enter the measurements into the system and instruct it to fulfill specific production volumes. Computer numerical control, or CNC, systems speed up the design and fulfillment processes of extrusion projects. 

Project Customization

Plastic products can be customized by creating unique extrusion molds, choosing specific polymer types, and adding colorants. Die molds are produced by fabricating metal into profiles that match the plastic product’s intended dimensions. Many types of plastic can be melted and used in these dies, including polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride. Our team of manufacturers will recommend a plastic type that matches your final product’s application. This will help improve the durability and efficiency of the plastic parts.

If you want your components to have a specific color, we can mix colorants with the raw plastic before the melting process. This allows the materials to blend together as they melt, creating a consistent color for each plastic part. If you need a fully customized component, work with our team to create a die mold. Customized molds enable companies to produce parts that are tailored to different applications across various industries.

Explore Our Plastic Manufacturing Services

At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we offer molding and manufacturing services for businesses that need custom plastic or rubber parts. We can create plastic connectors, tubing, panels, and other components for industries like automotive, appliance, and solar. During a consultation with our team, share project details like the parts’ dimensions and how many you need. This information helps us create an estimate for the project’s timeline and cost. It also helps us provide recommendations for polymer types and die specifications. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services.

Extrusion molding can be used to make pipes and tubing, tracks, hoses, and drinking straws. Clark Rubber and Plastic offers two versatile material options for extrusion molding. Learn more about rubber and plastic extrusion, which options are right for your project, and how to use extrusion services:

Extrusion Process

Extrusion molding is a manufacturing process where a material is softened or melted and then pushed through a mold. After it cools, the shaped material is cut to the desired length for the final product. This type of molding works well with high-volume production and for tube-shaped items like rods, siding, or weather stripping. Clark Rubber and Plastic provides plastic and rubber extrusion services with cutting-edge technology for high-quality results.  

Rubber Extrusion 

Rubber extrusion is when rubber material is used in the extrusion process and molded into the desired shape. This is often used for products like weather strips and gaskets. Unvulcanized rubber is loaded into the extruder and forced through the shaped die under high pressure. The rubber takes on the shape of the die and is then vulcanized to harden it and add durability. Different types of rubber are used depending on the product’s requirements. Clark Rubber and Plastic has a facility set up to use natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, and other rubber materials. Rubber-extruded products can be recycled at the end of their useful life, reducing waste. 

Plastic Extrusion 

The plastic extrusion process takes melted plastic and pressurizes it through a die. The extruded shape is then cooled with cooling rolls or water baths to solidify the product. Plastic extrusion is a versatile, high-volume manufacturing process that is suitable for pipes, fencing, deck rails, or window frames. The raw materials for plastic extrusion are typically plastic pellets that are loaded into a hopper. Additional additives like fillers and coloring are then added before the material is moved forward, heated, and shaped. Clark Rubber and Plastic’s extrusion services can produce a range of shapes, sizes, thicknesses, and hardness to fit your needs. 

Differences Between Plastic and Rubber Extrusion 

Plastic and rubber extrusion have a similar process but have final results with different properties. Rubber extrusion creates more flexible products with elasticity, even after the product has been cooled in the final stage. Products from plastic extrusion are rigid and may become deformed if you try to stretch them. Plastic is extruded at a higher temperature than rubber. Products from plastic extrusion are found in the solar, construction, automotive, and medical industries. Rubber-extruded products are used in appliances and electrical work. 

Extrusion Services From Clark Rubber and Plastic 

Extrusion molding is a flexible production option that often saves time and costs because the final product doesn’t always require post-production finishing. The continuous process allows a large amount of parts to be created quickly without requiring the multiple-step drafting process of other molding options. Extrusion also has some sustainable properties since the discarded material can be reused, and the finished items are often recyclable. Clark Rubber and Plastic handles are capable of high and low production needs with our cutting-edge facility. Contact us today to learn how we can fulfill your needs. 

Plastic extrusion involves melting plastic into solid, finished products such as pipes and tubing. Understanding how extrusion methods work helps determine which technique fills a business’s needs. Some processes include co or tri-extending, which can produce a wide variety of shapes, forms, and textures. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we provide plastic extrusion services for products used in various industries. Here’s how our process works:

Heating 

Our team at Clark Rubber and Plastic uses various types of plastic for extruding, including PVC, acrylic, and TPU. We start the process by heating the materials to create a specific product for a business’s needs, whether it’s automotive or solar parts. Our manufacturers may also add colorants or stabilizers to the melted mixture to enhance its final quality.

Heating occurs as the plastic pellets fed into the melting chamber are pulled along by a revolving screw. The friction caused by the movement increases the pressure and generates heat, leading to melting. A filter screen sits at the end of the melting chamber, which removes impurities from the melted plastic as it is pushed through.

Shaping 

The melted plastic is pushed out of the barrel chamber through a die, which sets the final shape of the extruded product. Some common plastic products created through extruding include bars, pipes, wire insulation, and monofilaments. Plastic extrusion also creates products with custom profile features like edges and channels. Co- and tri-extruding can create items made with different components or incorporating different colors. In both processes, the materials composing the outer layers are of high quality to help the finished product be more stable.

Some shrinkage can occur during the extruding process and is more common with complex profiles. Designers may overcome this by being generous when sizing a die, allowing a small amount of extra space in the mold to account for shrinkage. Additional shearing can be done later on the production line to maintain uniform sizing.

Cooling

The shaped plastic profile is set through cooling, finalizing the product’s form. This process happens as belts pull the profile through a long trough containing a cold water bath. Certain products, such as plastic pipes, might require additional mechanisms that remove heat in order to keep their shape. Designers may apply a vacuum to the water bath to keep the pipe from collapsing as it cools.

The belts pulling the profile along also help to correctly size the cooled profile, satisfying the client’s required dimensions. The sizing belt pulls the profile through a final opening, at the end of which a blade slices it into individual pieces. These are the completed products that are then sent on to users.

Your Partner in Plastic Extrusion

The plastic extrusion process requires a tightly controlled environment to deliver quality products. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, our professional extrusion services deliver the precise results needed for products to meet industry standards. Our team has extensive experience and access to the necessary production capacity to fulfill almost any request. Contact us today for a quote on your next job.

Plastic extrusion is a high-volume manufacturing process that involves pushing melted plastic through a die so that the plastic takes on a new shape. This process can create a wide range of plastic products with various shapes, profiles, sizes, and properties. It is also highly customizable and cost-effective, making it a good option for large-scale production runs and custom projects. There are multiple plastic extrusion techniques used for different applications, including: 

Co-extrusion

Co-extrusion combines two materials with different properties into a single cross-section. The process uses two extruders to extrude multiple layers of material simultaneously. These extruders can be set to different speeds and sizes to alter the layer thicknesses. Our manufacturers use co-extrusion to produce products with various performance characteristics, including enhanced durability and strength.

Clark Rubber and Plastic can also complete projects that require tri-extrusion. Tri-exclusion is similar to co-extrusion but uses three extruders and separate materials. This allows our manufacturers to customize your product to your desired specifications.

Tubing Extrusion

We use tubing extrusion to produce plastic tubes and pipes with uniform dimensions and properties. This process often requires the extruder to push a positive internal pressure throughout the plastic to create a hollow core. Tubing extrusion can create pipes for medical devices and plumbing applications because it produces tubes with precise tolerances, smooth surfaces, and consistent quality.

Blow Film Extrusion

Our manufacturers use blow film extrusion to produce thin plastic films with uniform thickness, such as shopping bags and food packaging. The melted plastic is extruded through a circular die to create a tube during the extrusion process. The machine then uses air pressure to inflate the tube to the desired size and thickness. We can customize these specifications to fit the diverse needs of various industries and applications. 

Sheet Extrusion

The sheet/film extrusion method produces flat plastic sheets of varying thicknesses. It may be used to produce plastic films or sheets that are too thick to be made with blow film extrusion. During extrusion, molten plastic is extruded through a flat die, which is then cooled to form a continuous sheet. Sometimes, the sheets go through a series of cooling rolls, which can control sheet thickness. We use these sheets to create various products, including signs or packaging materials. 

Over-Jacketing Extrusion

Our manufacturers use over-jacketing extrusion to apply an additional protective coating to something, most often a cable or wire. In this method, the machine extrudes a layer of melted plastic material over the surface of the cable. This helps provide enhanced insulation and durability, increasing the wire’s reliability and safety. 

Contact Clark Rubber and Plastic for Plastic Extrusion Services

Plastic extrusion creates plastic products with precision and efficiency. Each technique is better suited for different applications and has unique advantages. Clark Rubber and Plastic has expanded its plastic capacity to accommodate multiple projects using different extrusion techniques. We work with you to understand your project’s demands so we can recommend materials and design options. We have experience with many industries, including solar, appliances, automotive, and more. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Plastic extrusion is a manufacturing process that produces a wide variety of plastic profiles, forms, and shapes. These shapes are created by running melted plastic through an opening in a die and trimming the product to the desired length. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, our services are used in various industries, including solar, consumer, appliances, and automotive. Here are some of the benefits of plastic extrusion:

Cost-effective

Plastic extrusion is more cost-effective than many other manufacturing methods. Thermoplastics are generally less expensive than other materials, such as metals. The process itself is high-volume and produces minimal material waste, so the production cost per unit is relatively low. It is also highly streamlined and mechanical, which reduces labor requirements and associated costs. These factors make it an attractive option for manufacturers who want to drive down unit costs without sacrificing quality.

Versatile

Extrusion allows you to create products with customized shapes, sizes, and properties. Many materials are available, including PVC and polyethylene. The material you select can affect the thickness, texture, and hardness of your product. This versatility allows manufacturers to create customized products and develop solutions that meet their unique needs and applications. It also gives them options and enables them to make changes to their design if needed.

Efficient

The machines we use for our plastic extrusion services can run continuously with less supervision. This allows us to make large quantities of products in a short period of time, contributing to a high output rate and reducing the risk of inventory shortages. The ability to customize extrusion parameters such as die design, temperature, and pressure also allows manufacturers to tailor the process to their specific requirements. This can further enhance efficiency and minimize production costs.

Consistent

The plastic extrusion production process is known for producing consistent results. It regularly delivers products with precise dimensions, high-quality finishes, and uniform properties. The continuous shaping of molten plastic through the die creates consistent cross-sectional profiles throughout the length of the extrudate. This allows manufacturers to achieve tight tolerances and develop products that meet industry specifications and standards.

Sustainable

Many thermoplastic materials used in extrusion, such as polyethylene, are recyclable and can be reused. This minimizes waste and conserves resources. The process can also prevent unnecessary waste of resources such as electricity and other process materials. The efficiency of the process, combined with advancements in recycling technology and energy-efficient machinery, allows manufacturers to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Co-extrusion Capabilities

Co-extrusion is the process of extruding two or more different polymers simultaneously to create complex products with varying properties. Different materials can contribute specific functionalities, such as strength, flexibility, and barrier properties. This capability allows manufacturers to create unique products and increase functionality. It also offers greater design flexibility and improved cost-efficiency, offering a competitive advantage in the market.

Request a Quote for Plastic Extrusion Services

Plastic extrusion offers many benefits for various industries. Its efficiency, consistency, and cost-effectiveness make it an ideal choice for producing a wide range of plastic products, including plastic sheets and tubing. Clark Rubber and Plastic takes the time to understand your product’s demands and your industry’s requirements and standards. We use this information to recommend materials and design options. Contact us today to learn more about our extrusion options and services. 

Plastic extrusion is used to create continuous lengths of plastic products with a consistent cross-section. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we offer extrusions that can be used in various applications and industries. Some suitable applications include solar, automotive, and appliances. Here are six common applications of this type of extrusion:

1. Solar Industry

Plastic extrusion plays a role in producing components like solar panel frames and encapsulation materials. Extruded plastics’ lightweight and durable nature can make them ideal for supporting solar modules. This promotes the solar device’s longevity and resistance to environmental elements. Our process allows companies to create customized profiles, enabling them to meet the specific design requirements of solar installations.

2. Automotive Sector

Extruded plastic manufacturing is applied in the automotive industry, as it contributes to the production of several automotive parts. Items like weather seals, gaskets, and interior trim components may use these extrusions. Vehicle tubing and hoses for fluid transfer systems also utilize extruded plastic. The manufactured parts offer resistance to chemicals, temperature variations, and UV exposure. This can increase durability in diverse automotive applications. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we use extrusion to produce complex shapes and precise densities for the automotive sector.

3. Appliance Manufacturing

The appliance industry benefits from plastic extrusion in the production of components such as gaskets, seals, and handles. Extruded plastics provide insulation and sealing properties, enhancing the energy efficiency of appliances. The cost-effectiveness of the extrusion process allows us to produce high volumes of consistent parts. This can help us meet the demands of the appliance market while maintaining quality standards.

4. Construction Industry

Extruded plastic manufacturing is applied in the construction industry. The parts can be seen in windows, doors, and other architectural elements. Extruded plastics are versatile, enabling the production of weather-resistant and thermally efficient profiles. This can contribute to sustainable and energy-efficient building practices. The lightweight nature of extruded plastic components also simplifies installation processes, which may reduce overall construction time.

5. Medical Device Manufacturing

Plastic extrusion can be utilized to manufacture tubing, catheters, and various medical device components. The ability to use a wide range of medical-grade plastics helps make sure medical sectors are in compliance with specific regulatory requirements. The extrusion process also fosters complex and intricate profiles, meeting the particular needs of medical applications like microcatheters and guide wires.

6. Packaging Industry

In the packaging industry, companies can use plastic extrusion to help produce films, sheets, and other profiles used for packaging materials. The versatility of extruded plastics allows for the creation of packaging with varying thicknesses, barrier properties, and surface finishes. This adaptability makes plastic extrusion a suitable choice for developing packaging solutions that protect products, extend shelf life, and enhance visual appeal.

Plastic Extrusion

At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we use cutting-edge technology to create high-quality results in our extrusion processes. We can create a variety of profiles, forms, and shapes for your industry. Choose from varying hardnesses, thicknesses, textures, and colors. Contact us today to learn more about our extruded plastic manufacturing processes and applications.