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.

There are two types of processes that can be used to shape raw plastic materials into a product, such as extrusion and rolling. Plastic extrusion can involve various steps, but it helps to create complex shapes while rolling. It’s mainly used to create sheets with specific thickness requirements. Knowing the differences can help you determine what process is best for your plastic manufacturing needs. At Clark Rubber & Plastic, our extrusion services can help you produce shapes and profiles with varying thicknesses, colors, hardness, and textures.

Plastic Extrusion

Extrusion helps the melting plastic through a die, which is a shaped opening. The shape of the die determines the shape of the extruded plastic. We can use extrusion to create various products, including pipes, tubes, sheets, and more. It can also create specific, complex shapes and long, continuous shapes. It is highly versatile and customizable, allowing for custom sizes, shapes, thicknesses, and textures. Extrusion can be fast, efficient, and consistent. 

The extrusion process can use highly specialized equipment. We recently added six new extrusion lines to our facility to accelerate our plastic operations and production. This helps us keep up with increased demand and quality requirements. It also makes us more capable of working within your timeline.

Plastic Rolling

This process involves inserting a plastic sheet or film between a series of rollers. These rollers reduce the thickness of the plastic until it meets the client’s desired specifications. The rollers can be textured or smooth, depending on the product requirements. It can also be used to create sheets with a smooth or specific texture. Rolling cannot create complex shapes.

Key Differences Between Extrusion and Rolling

Extrusion and rolling are both effective plastic manufacturing methods. The key differences between these processes can help you determine what process is best for your purposes. Here are a few differences between the two approaches:

Shape and Finish

Extrusion can create a wide variety of shapes. It is also more versatile for creating complex cross-sectional shapes, continuous shapes, and more. The texture and finish are customizable for various specifications. Rolling can create flat sheets, smooth or textured. The thickness and finish are often customizable. 

Speed and Efficiency

Plastic extrusion can be a fast and efficient process. This efficiency can also lead to cost savings. Rolling may be slower than extraction with lower efficiency. We optimize our production processes to increase efficiency and reduce waste as much as possible during extraction and rolling.

Waste

Extrusion can produce more waste than rolling because more plastic isn’t used after passing through the die. We mitigate this by feeding a precise amount of plastic into the die. We also help reduce waste by prioritizing efficient production processes and using sustainable practices. 

Use Clark Rubber & Plastic for Manufacturing 

Clark Rubber & Plastic manufactures rubber and plastic parts for various applications. We serve the automotive, medical, solar, appliance, and military industries. We use some of the most advanced equipment to complete plastic extrusion. If you have a project that requires plastic manufacturing services, contact us today.

Manufacturing processes like rubber molding and plastic molding play a role in the production of various products we use in our daily lives. These processes might seem similar at first glance, but each has unique characteristics. Here are the differences between rubber and plastic molding. 

Rubber Molding

Rubber molding, or rubber compression molding, is primarily used for creating rubber parts and components. This method involves applying heat and pressure to form rubber materials into the desired shape. Several rubber molding processes exist, including compression, transfer, and injection molding.

Rubber casting uses natural rubber, silicone rubber, and synthetic rubber compounds. These materials are elastic and resilient. This makes them ideal for tasks that need flexible and durable items.

The material is heated first in rubber casting, placed in the mold cavity, and exposed to high pressure and heat. Pressure combined with heat vulcanizes the rubber and takes the mold’s shape. Latex molding helps to produce gaskets, tires, and seals in the automotive industry. The process is also standard in making medical devices, industrial machinery, and consumer goods.

Items made through latex molding are durable, resistant to extreme temperatures, and have superior sealing properties. Rubber casting can create complex shapes with intricate details, making it suitable for various applications. 

Plastic Molding

Plastic molding is a manufacturing process used to create plastic products. Techniques used in this manufacturing process include injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding. You can use any of these methods depending on the type of plastic material and what you want the final product to look like.

This manufacturing process uses many thermoplastic materials like polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, and many others. Each type of plastic has its own properties, which influence its suitability for different applications.

Manufacturers choose plastic material to heat to a molten state during plastic molding and then inject, blow, or extrude into a mold cavity. Once it cools and solidifies, the finished product is removed from the mold. Plastic molding is used to produce everything from packaging materials and household items to automotive parts and electronics casings.

Plastic molding processes are highly versatile and efficient. They encourage identical parts to be produced precisely and repeatedly. Plastic components are light, resist corrosion, and are cost-effective to produce. 

Differences

• Rubber casting uses rubber materials, while plastic molding uses plastic polymers.
• This manufacturing process uses heat and pressure to shape rubber materials. Plastic molding incorporates the melting and solidifying of plastic materials in a mold.
• Rubber molding suits products that require elasticity, resilience, and resistance to extreme temperatures. You can apply plastic molding in various industries and product categories because it is versatile.
• Plastic molding offers versatility, repeatability, and cost-effectiveness. Rubber casting provides sealing and durability.

Use Our Rubber Molding Services

Rubber and plastic molding are two distinct manufacturing processes catering to specific applications and materials. Understanding the differences helps manufacturers and product designers select the appropriate method for their needs. Contact us today for your rubber molding needs and experience the flexibility of rubber in your everyday lives.

A solar panel has several parts that work together to convert sunlight to electricity. Many solar panel manufacturers partner with companies that can efficiently produce the required quantity and quality of panel components. At Clark Rubber & Plastic, we provide rubber and plastic extrusion services to make components for various solar panel applications. Here are some of the main solar panel parts and how they are made:

1. Solar Cells

Solar cells are also known as photovoltaic cells and are the heart of a solar panel. They absorb the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. These cells are typically made from thin layers of semiconducting materials like silicon. The manufacturing process involves cutting the silicon into wafers, doping them with impurities to create the necessary electrical properties, and adding metal contacts to facilitate electricity flow. Solar cells come in various colors, configurations, designs, and technologies.

2. Encapsulation

Encapsulation is the protective barrier between the solar cells and the environment. This prevents water, dirt, dust, and other contaminants from damaging the delicate solar cells. It also protects them from mechanical shocks, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations. Encapsulation is created using ethyl vinyl acetate, or EVA, a durable and flexible polymer. The EVA is layered over the solar cells, then heated and laminated to create a protective layer.

3. The Junction Box

A junction box houses electrical connections and protects them from environmental factors. You can find this box on the backside of the solar panel. The junction box contains diodes that prevent reverse current flow and facilitate the wiring of multiple panels in an array. Junction boxes are made from durable plastic. Our rubber and plastic extrusion services can provide the components needed to make these junction boxes. These components include electrical coverings, cable trays and inserts, and other protective parts.

4. Backsheet

The backsheet is the bottom layer of the solar panel that protects it from moisture and provides electrical insulation. Backsheets can be made from different plastics or polymers, each offering varying grades of UV resistance, thermal stability, and protection. The process of creating a backsheet involves extruding the polymer into thin sheets and laminating them onto the panels. Our rubber and plastic extrusion services can provide the high-quality materials needed for this solar panel component.

5. Tempered Glass

A sheet of tempered glass covers the front surface of a solar panel. This glass provides protection against weather conditions, UV radiation, and physical impacts while allowing sunlight to pass through to the cells. Tempered glass is typically made by heating and cooling regular glass in a controlled manner to increase its strength and durability.

6. Frame

The frame is what holds all the components of a solar panel together. It provides structural support and protection for the panel. The frame also facilitates solar panel installation by offering mounting points. Aluminum is the material solar manufacturers prefer for this purpose due to its lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and easy-to-fabricate properties.

Contact Clark Rubber & Plastic for Rubber and Plastic Extrusion Services

Solar panels require various rubber and plastic parts. At Clark Rubber & Plastic, we offer rubber and plastic extrusion services to help solar panel manufacturers get the needed parts for their projects. Whether you require large, small, or complex designs, we have the resources to fulfill your extrusion product requirements. Contact us today to discuss your project and learn more about our extrusion services.

The materials used to manufacture home appliances determine their function and dependability. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we understand the importance of quality materials for home appliance production. We are a plastic manufacturer that provides reliable rubber and plastic products to retailers in various industries, including home appliance companies.

Methods for Manufacturing Rubber and Plastic for Home Appliances

We use specialized processes and techniques to create the highest quality rubber and plastic components for home appliance production. Our methods include:

Plastic Injection Molding

We use high-precision plastic injection molding machines to create plastic components for home appliances such as washers and dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers. The process utilizes melted plastic and a mold to create precise components that meet the product design specifications. Some of the plastics we produce through plastic injection molding include polycarbonate, nylon, HDPE, ABS, and thermoplastics.

Plastic Extrusion

Plastic extrusion produces continuous lengths of plastic parts used in appliances such as cooktops, microwaves, ovens, and other kitchen appliances. We are a high-quality plastic manufacturer with equipment that can co- or tri-extrude, meaning it can combine two or three materials into a single product. We use various certified grades of materials to create the highest-quality components for home appliance production.

Rubber Molding

Rubber injection molding produces rubber components for appliances such as power cords, hoses, sealing gaskets, and seals. It is a process used to create products that have intricate shapes and require a high level of precision. We use hot and cold rubber molding to create products such as Neoprene, Viton, EPDM, Nitrile, and SBR.

Rubber Extrusion

Rubber extrusion is a process that produces continuous lengths of rubber components for appliances. Our equipment can make complex shapes with high levels of accuracy and precision. We rely on custom dies instead of presses to create rubber components for appliances such as air conditioners, washing machines, and dishwashers. Our specialists can produce rubber parts with various durometers, textures, and colors.

Quality Assurance and Testing

Our products are designed and manufactured with quality in mind, so we have stringent testing and quality assurance procedures. We use advanced inspection methods, including:

Ultrasonic Testing

We use ultrasonic testing to inspect rubber and plastic components for any defects or irregularities. The process involves using high-frequency sound waves to detect flaws in the material before it’s approved for production. It’s a non-destructive test where we can quickly and accurately identify any potential issues. The process is also used to inspect components for dimensional accuracy.

Tensile Testing

The components we create for home appliance production must undergo tensile testing to determine their strength and durability. We use specialized equipment to test the components for any signs of weakness, and if they do not meet our strict standards, they are rejected. Our products are meant to endure the rig of appliance use, and our rigorous testing supports their dependability.

Chemical Analysis

Chemical analysis tests for any inconsistencies or anomalies in the material. Our experts analyze the chemical composition of the materials to determine the best grade and type of plastic or rubber for each application. We also test for any potential risks or hazards that could arise from using certain types of materials.

Get Quality Home Appliance Components From a Reliable Plastic Manufacturer

At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we know that the quality of home appliance components determines their performance and longevity. We take great care in producing the highest-quality components for any home appliance product. Contact us today for reliable, quality parts for your home appliance projects. Our professionals will work with you to customize a solution that meets your exact needs.

Rubber is a popular material in the automotive industry since it’s lightweight and provides shock absorption. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we offer rubber molding for engines, brakes, seals, steering, and solenoid valves. We used certified rubber materials to manufacture high-quality products.

What Is Rubber Molding?

Rubber molding is a manufacturing process used to produce rubber parts and components. Our skilled technicians fill rubber inside a mold cavity, applying pressure and heat to form the desired shape and size. We incorporate cutting-edge technologies to handle a variety of materials, such as:

• Natural rubber
• Nitrile
• Neoprene
• Viton
• Silicone
• Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)
• Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)

Our manufacturing process entails inspection using optical comparators to check rubber quality. We also test rubber materials using durometer gauges to review hardness value. Our experts use the right rubber materials to make different automotive components. Neoprene can be suitable for making tubing for engine fluids, while nitrile rubber can work well for sealing components.

Types of Rubber Molding

We use different techniques to mold rubber into functional automotive components. Here are some types of rubber molding that we utilize at Clark Rubber and Plastic:

Injection Molding

In this process, our technicians inject rubber material into the mold cavity under high pressure. We use injection molding for manufacturing designs with complex geometry like sharp contours, holes, and curvature. Due to sufficient curing time and pressure, the final product can last longer.

Injection molding can produce small- to medium-sized rubber parts in different sizes and shapes. We use this process to manufacture cable grommets, O-rings, diaphragms, anti-vibration mounts, seals, and gaskets. Injection molding can also produce bushings, rubber hoses, and tubes.

Transfer Molding

During transfer molding, our experts place the rubber material in a transfer pot and then move it to the mold cavity using a plunger. Transfer molding requires heat and pressure to produce durable automotive parts. The mold design can create large cavities with ease.

This molding process can produce automotive components with high precision and excellent mechanical properties. Transfer molding can be effective for making bellows, rubber-to-metal bonded parts, and vibration dampers. We use transfer molding to manufacture shock-absorber bushing with reliable resistance to environmental conditions.

Compression Molding

In this process, we place rubber material into a heated mold cavity and use a hydraulic press to get the desired shape. Compression molding doesn’t rely on material flow, meaning it can handle different rubber materials. This process can produce many parts simultaneously, reducing manufacturing time and costs.

We use compression molding to produce different automotive parts, such as electrical insulators, dust covers, and engine covers. This process can also manufacture suspension bushings and brake pads. Compression molding can make engine mounts in many shapes and sizes.

Get Quality Rubber Molding Services

Rubber molding is versatile and can produce a variety of automotive components. Our facilities incorporate advanced equipment to produce high-quality products in high or low quantities. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we have horizontal presses for fabricating parts to produce exceptional finishes and tolerances.

Plastic injection molding is a key process for automotive, healthcare, solar, and appliance businesses. The process results in custom-molded parts and components central to these industries’ operations. At Clark Rubber and Plastic, we use high-quality polymers to deliver components for projects of different complexities. Here are some common types of polymers:

Polycarbonate 

Polycarbonate is a lightweight, transparent polymer that can support light transmission. The polymer is also strong and durable, making it ideal for our clients in the automotive industry. It’s commonly used for clear windows. It can also be suitable for tinted windows as it retains its strength even when pigmented.

Polycarbonate is one of our core injection molding polymers because it can maintain its physical properties even when exposed to high temperatures. It can offer a high level of dimensional control as its shrinkage is uniform and predictable. 

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

This polymer’s relatively low melting point makes it easy to mold. It’s one of our top injection molding plastics because it’s exceptionally tough, even when exposed to low temperatures, and has a high impact resistance. The polymer can also support different surface finishes, colorants, and textures. 

Its strength and impact resistance makes it a great choice for clients in the automotive industry—it can be used to manufacture auto body parts and dashboards. The consumer industry can also benefit from this polymer as it can make products like protective headgear and electrical outlets. 

Nylon 

Nylon is one of our popular polymers known for its abrasion resistance, strength, noise-dampening properties, and toughness. It’s used in injection molding applications like bearings, slides, gears, and other mechanical components. The polymer can also be used in the appliance industry as an electrical insulator.
 
Nylon has different grades, each with unique impact resistance, flexibility, water absorption, and melting point properties. For example, Nylon 12 has a low melting point, whereas Nylon 66 has a high one. Our staff can help you choose the most suitable option depending on your intended use. 

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

We recommend PVC to our clients because of its high durability and versatility. The polymer is available in rigid and malleable forms to fit different industries’ uses. In its malleable form, the polymer can be ideal for businesses in the consumer and appliance industries—it can be used in packaging and encase copper wiring. Its rigid form can be suitable for making products like water pipes, flooring, and children’s toys. 

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE is a polymer made from petroleum. It’s a popular injection molding plastic at Clark Rubber and Plastic as it has a high strength-to-density ratio. This makes it ideal for making products like recycling bins, toys, and water and gas pipes. 

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)

TPU is a flexible polymer that offers high chemical resistance, toughness, abrasion resistance, and strength. It’s well-suited for parts like gaskets, gears, and wheels in the automotive industry. The polymer can also be a suitable choice for our appliance industry clients as its dimensional stability makes it ideal for manufacturing products like phone cases. 

Different Polymers Can Be Used In Plastic Injection Molding

Plastic injection molding helps produce a wide variety of plastic products. Common polymers used in the process include polycarbonate, PVC, nylon, and ABS, each with unique properties. 

Clark Rubber and Plastic can support your production processes by supplying close-tolerance plastics from our wide range of polymers. Our experts can help you choose the most suitable plastics based on your durability and strength requirements. Contact us for high-quality plastic parts today. 

Plastics are everywhere due to their simpler manufacturing requirements, versatility, and longevity. Plastic extrusion involves melting plastic to create many shapes and is commonly used for high-volume production. At Clark Rubber & Plastic, we specialize in providing custom, high-quality rubber extrusion. Here are the types of plastic that can be extruded:

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)

HIPS is a thermoplastic styrene plastic material that is easy to process, hard, and rigid. The material exhibits the high impact resistance attributes of rubber additives and the stiffness of polystyrene.

HIPS is not vapor-proof or waterproof and is considered a cost-effective general-purpose material. The material is used for appliances in the point-of-purchase, appliance, electronics, and automotive industries.

HIPS can be recycled if that’s appropriate for your project. The advantages of using HIPS plastic extrusions include the following:

• Good rigidity
• High gloss
• Low cost
• FDA grades available

We utilize sustainable manufacturing practices to make custom extruded parts. Our facility has the latest extruding equipment capable of manufacturing complex and simple shapes to match your exact specifications. We are dedicated to manufacturing high-quality components and parts that meet your expectations.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate’s clarity and strength make it an excellent choice for protection, glazing, and lighting applications. The plastic material is used to produce luminaries, diffusers, and lenses.

Polycarbonate can be used in both sheet and profile forms. The strong polymer has high-temperature resistance, excellent optical properties, and high impact resistance due to its high transparency.

Extruded polycarbonate is regularly used to protect display cabinets, electrical cabinets, refrigerators, and walls. The material has a high gloss appearance and can be colored with ease which makes it attractive. The benefits of polycarbonate include the following:

• Impact resistant and naturally strong
• Able to be molded
• Heat resistant
• High dimensional stability

We can produce custom rubber profiles in a variety of shapes and sizes. We have the manufacturing capabilities to create the products that you need in a cost-effective and timely way. Our company can work with various materials to deliver the best results.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

ABS has strong resistance to corrosive chemicals and physical impact. The material is an opaque polymer that is available as a colorable or natural compound. The plastic material can be above a specific temperature and solidifies when cooled.

ABS is meant for indoor applications since it’s not weatherable because of poor UV resistance. The product is used for applications in the marine, plumbing, construction, furniture, appliance, and hydroponics industries.

Materials made using ABS extrusions can be produced in all colors. The benefits of using ABS plastic extrusions include the following:

• Recyclable
• Inexpensive
• Lightweight
• Offers good electrical properties
• Moisture resistant
• Resilient against corrosive chemicals

If you are considering ABS extrusion for your new project, we are the right company to help you. We are equipped to produce the shapes, forms, and sizes in the colors, thicknesses, textures, and densities required for your project.

Find the Best Plastic Extrusion Manufacturer

At Clark Rubber & Plastic, we are a renowned plastic extrusion manufacturer that creates a wide range of custom products. Our facilities can deliver quality components in low or high production quantities. We work to push the boundaries of rubber extrusion technology and innovate new solutions, so choosing us will be a competitive advantage.

We also offer a comprehensive list of other services, including special packaging, milling, assembly, notching, taping, and more. Let us be your single-source solution for all your plastic part production needs.