logo

Rubber Product Design Assistance

ELBEX • Feb 18, 2016

'Early Supplier Involvement' is a strategy that every design engineer should employ whenever they are presented with the opportunity. Granted it can be rewarding to have hands-on control with a product from concept to production, but the cost and time advantages of bringing in the supplier at the forefront are just too numerous to pass up. 

It should be noted that the overall design is still the brainchild of the engineer, it's just that the supplier can effectively determine how to most efficiently use our products in your project. Elbex is proud to provide design assistance on your new, custom, or retrofit applications. 

What is Design Assistance? 

Quite simply put, our design assistance helps an engineer tap into the knowledge and experience Elbex has gained from the past 25 years in the silicone sheeting and extruded rubber products fields. Every application is unique and we have worked in a variety of industries from appliances to automotive to industrial, manufacturing, mass transit, and more. 

With design assistance we calculate your needs, consider our means, and together arrive at the ultimate solution for production efficiency, cost, and performance. After a customer contacts us with a request for quote, our engineering team responds with a plan of attack that may include plant visits, field support, and tooling and engineering presentations (at Elbex). Both teams evaluate the information and decide what is best moving forward.  

Benefits of Design Assistance 

Antiquated designing practices involved a lot of 'trial and error' when developing a product. Engineers would throw ideas at the wall to see what sticks and then contact the supplier. Sending out multiple orders for prototypes until finding the ultimate solution was an waste of time and materials. Even the final manufacturing conclusion may have been mired by inefficiencies in production or the failure to explore a more viable material option. Engineers, supervisors, and management simply 'went with it.' 

Today, quality suppliers like Elbex offer design assistance whenever a client may need it for our rubber extrusions and other products. The advantages of design assistance actually help both parties involved. The buyer can get their product to market faster by knowing the most efficient manufacturing methods, materials, and alternatives before the first prototype is ever created – making only slight tweaks before production. The end design is the most cost and labor efficient to manufacture. 

Subsequently the supplier isn't burdened with impossible rubber extrusion profiles design orders from a designer. Tolerances that are unnecessarily tight, multiple setups that could have been avoided, and just more time spent in production than needed are eliminated when both sides come together in the design stage. 

Taking the Next Step 

Our engineering team is eager to assist whether you are looking at creating a new application or just want to inquire if there is a better production route for an existing product. We value our relationships in all the industries we serve including the construction and industrial sectors in NW Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nevada. Please fill out our contact form , request a quote , or call (877) 302-0423 to kick off what is sure to be a blossoming partnership.

2024 and Beyond: ELBEX’s Vision for the Future of Rubber Extrusion

27 Mar, 2024
We live in a time of rapid change — and this is just as true of the rubber extrusion industry as it is in other areas. At ELBEX, we believe a forward-thinking approach is vital to stay at the forefront of rubber extrusion. Emerging Trends in Rubber Extrusion in 2024 As 2024 begins, several trends have stood out in the rubber extrusion industry. These include advancements in eco-friendly materials, improvements in manufacturing automation, and increased demand for rubber extrusions from emerging markets. At ELBEX, ongoing investments in research and development have proven essential for helping us take advantage of these trends so we can better serve our clients. Incorporating Advanced Technology Manufacturing processes are constantly improving thanks to new technologies such as AI and the internet of things. These technologies enable us to automate certain processes to achieve greater efficiency, quality control, and customization capabilities. Sustainability: A Core Focus for ELBEX in 2024 Energy efficiency and the use of eco-friendly materials have long been a focus at ELBEX, but they are even more important in 2024. Current sustainability initiatives include the use of recycled materials and a focus on implementing energy-efficient processes that minimize waste. Expanding into New Markets and Applications New industries and markets represent a major area of growth for rubber extrusion products. Areas such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart infrastructure will all rely on rubber extrusions, and as such, we must continually research and develop new profiles that will work with these applications. ELBEX’s Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction In the midst of these trends, ELBEX is committed to maintaining high quality standards, as demonstrated through our ISO certification. By taking advantage of the latest industry trends, we can further improve results for our clients and drive meaningful outcomes. With a proactive approach to embracing current and future trends in the world of rubber extrusions, ELBEX is positioned to continue shaping the future of the industry in 2024 and beyond.

Maximizing Efficiency, Minimizing Waste: ELBEX’s Low Scrap Success in Rubber Extrusion

19 Mar, 2024
One of the most important indicators of a manufacturer’s efficiency is its scrap rate — or the percentage of defective products that need to be thrown away or recycled. At ELBEX, we are proud to consistently achieve low scrap percentages with each job we undertake. The Importance of Low Scrap in Manufacturing In manufacturing, scrap can have significant environmental and economic impacts. Unusable products must be recycled and replaced, which means more time, energy, and materials used in the manufacturing process. This can drive up costs for both the business and its clients, while also creating a larger carbon footprint. ELBEX’s Approach to Minimizing Scrap At ELBEX, we implement a wide variety of steps to minimize scrap, starting by using high-quality materials that are less likely to result in defects. We combine this with the latest in rubber extrusion technology and processes and a skilled team that draws on decades of industry experience. Strong quality control systems help us reduce waste at every step of the process. Impact on Quality and Cost-Effectiveness These practices, which help us achieve a low scrap percentage, ultimately result in higher quality products and less waste. This creates cost savings for everyone involved, as production runs can be completed faster and with less material. Reduced energy consumption also means less of an impact on the environment. ELBEX’s Ongoing Commitment to Improvement ELBEX is committed to continuous improvement, including finding new ways to further reduce scrap and enhance efficiency. By embracing new technology and sourcing the highest-quality materials, we can become even more sustainable and cost-efficient. At ELBEX, we believe our low scrap percentage is an indicator of our efficiency, quality, and environmental responsibility. While there is always room for improvement, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far and how it can help you, too.

Achieving Excellence with ELBEX: The Significance of ISO Certification in Rubber Extrusion

19 Mar, 2024
At Elbex, we are committed to maintaining a high standard of quality with our rubber extrusions. As part of this, we are proud to have obtained ISO 9001:2015 without Design certification as a signifier of our team consistently meeting quality standards. Here’s what this means for you. ELBEX’s Journey to ISO Certification ELBEX obtained its ISO certification in 2010, and has held it continuously since then. To achieve this certification, ELBEX had to demonstrate to a certification body that our work complied with ISO standards. During the assessment process, we had to show that we had sufficient quality management systems in place, while also striving for continuous improvement. Benefits of ISO Certification for ELBEX Clients Thanks to our ISO certification, you can have confidence that you’ll get consistent quality, reliability, and safety from our rubber extrusions. Adhering to ISO standards ensures that our products will always live up to expectations, so you can have confidence when placing an order for a standard or custom extrusion. ISO Standards and Rubber Extrusion Excellence The ISO certification that ELBEX holds — ISO 9001 — is considered a global quality management standard. It means that we have effective quality management processes in place to ensure great results with our products. This standard also covers process improvements and ongoing optimization, meaning we must continually look for ways to become more efficient, reduce waste, and find other ways to improve quality. ELBEX’s Commitment to Ongoing Excellence ISO certification isn’t held permanently — it must be periodically renewed. At ELBEX, we are dedicated to maintaining and exceeding ISO standards so we can deliver great results for our customers, while also finding new innovations that help us become even more effective in our work. With ISO certification, you can have confidence in ELBEX’s capabilities to ensure quality in the rubber extrusion industry. We are committed to upholding the highest standards for every project — including yours.
Share by: