Accessory components are small, high-volume mouldings where the economics are decided by the tool, not the material. A part that runs at 0.4 seconds faster per cycle is worth more over a run than a cheaper compound, which is why the gate layout and the cooling layout are the first things we review on a drawing.
We mould small elastomer accessory components in Xiamen, in TPE or silicone, from customer drawings or from a functional description.
What we mould
- Short tubes, tapered rings and flat washers in a range of diameters
- Snap-fit clips and curved brackets in TPE
- Two-density parts with a rigid insert in a soft shell
- Multi-part components packed on runners for customer assembly
Specification
| Material | TPE (SEBS base) or silicone, phthalate and latex free |
|---|---|
| Hardness | Shore 10 to 30 A |
| Tolerance | +/- 0.10 mm on general dimensions, +/- 0.05 mm on specified fits |
| Surface | Matte tool finish, gloss, or flocked coating |
| Runner | Hot or cold, layout agreed at DFM |
| Packing | Polybag, kitted tray, or bagged and boxed |
| MOQ | 2,000 pieces per SKU |
Cycle economics
A 30 A TPE cools faster than a 0 A grade, which is counter-intuitive but useful: soft compounds hold heat longer and need longer cooling. Where the tool is cooling-limited, adding a cooling circuit is usually cheaper over a run than shortening the cycle by 10 percent and accepting warp. We quote cycle times from the tool design rather than from a generic rate card.
Gate placement and runner
Gate marks are placed on faces the buyer will not see, and the DFM note flags every gate that will be visible. Cold runners are used where the part has a cosmetic surface and the volume justifies the scrap saving; hot runners are used on larger runs where material cost dominates. Where a part is packed on a runner for customer assembly, the runner is designed so it can be held in one hand.
Quality
Dimensional inspection uses a CMM on critical fits and a go/no-go gauge on the rest. Hardness is checked per lot on a durometer with a specified press speed. Tear strength and compression set are recorded against the buyer's specification.
Presentation standards
Photography, copy and packing for this category are kept to a discreet, non-explicit commercial standard. We do not produce items that replicate a licensed character or a protected design, and we require the buyer to hold the rights where a design is brand-specific.
