What are rubber mould tools?

Rubber mould tools are precision-engineered systems used to manufacture consistent, high-quality rubber components across virtually every industry. From simple compression tools to fully automated injection systems, the right tooling depends on factors such as material specification, production volumes and component tolerances. At Burnsall Engineering, we design and manufacture mould tools tailored to your application, selecting the most suitable tooling materials and processes to maximise performance, durability and production efficiency.

Compression moulding

Compression mould tools form components by placing a pre-measured rubber blank into an open cavity before using heat and pressure to shape the material. The process delivers uniform material distribution, giving each component excellent strength and durability, while also keeping tooling costs down by avoiding complex feed systems. We manufacture precision compression tools for prototypes, low-volume production and intricate components.

Compression mould tools are a great solution for:

  • Cost-efficient setting up of moulded part production
  • Low-volume production runs
  • Prototyping prior to a full automatic production tool
  • Intricate parts that pose injection and transfer moulding difficulties
  • Large, bulky parts with too high a volume for injection moulding
  • Parts moulded around fabric, such as diaphragms
Injection moulding

Injection mould tooling delivers rubber into closed cavities through engineered runners and gates, creating highly repeatable, precision-moulded components. Designed for efficiency and scalability, it’s ideal for high-volume production where consistency is critical. We manufacture robust injection tools that support automated production, tight tolerances, and long-term manufacturing performance.

Injection mould tools are a great solution for:

  • Efficient moulding of high-volume production parts
  • Greater control over dimensional tolerances
  • Repeatable quality and precision of moulded parts
  • Automatic and lights-out running
  • Scalability of production if demand ramps up
Compression transfer moulding

Transfer mould tooling introduces heated rubber into closed cavities via a transfer pot and feed system, offering precise material control and improved dimensional accuracy. It provides an effective balance between cost and performance, making it ideal for complex geometries and bonded components. Transfer moulds can also incorporate high-precision flashless grinding, eliminating excess material and removing the need to trim parts. We manufacture transfer tools engineered for precision, repeatability and reduced waste.

Transfer mould tools are a great solution for:

  • Greater control over closing dimensional tolerances
  • Repeatable quality and precision of moulded parts
  • Complex geometries
  • Rubber-to-metal bonded components
  • Reducing material wastage and cost without affecting precision (Flashless tooling)
Injection transfer (hybrid) moulding

Injection transfer moulding combines the simplicity of compression transfer moulding with the controlled material flow of injection moulding. The process improves material distribution, reduces air entrapment, and enhances surface finish compared to traditional compression methods. We design these tooling solutions that improve component quality while maintaining production efficiency.

Injection transfer mould tools are a great solution for:

  • Reducing the possibility of air entrapment by use of venting
  • Improving the flow of material for more even dispersal, especially when moulding metal bonded parts
  • Improving the surface finish of moulded parts
  • Increased labour and material efficiency during transfer pot loading
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) moulding

LSR mould tooling is engineered specifically for liquid silicone rubber, and requires extremely tight tolerances due to the material’s low viscosity. Designed for intricate and high-performance components, this process is widely used in medical, automotive and electronics applications. Our experience in LSR toolmaking ensures precision tooling built for demanding environments.

Liquid silicone rubber mould tools are a great solution for:

  • Resistance to extreme temperatures and harsh environments
  • Applications that require hypoallergenic qualities, e.g. food or medical
  • Sealing applications, e.g. electronics, automotive and consumer products
  • Small, intricate forms where traditional rubber compounds may trap air pockets
Extrusion moulding

Extrusion tooling creates continuous rubber profiles by forcing material through a shaped die to produce a consistent cross-section. Ideal for seals, gaskets and long-length components, it offers efficient, continuous production with excellent profile uniformity. We manufacture precision extrusion dies designed for dependable performance across demanding industrial applications.

Extrusion mould tools are a great solution for:

  • Creating ‘pre-form’ lengths of rubber used for loading compression moulds
  • Cost efficiency when moulding parts required in long lengths
  • Uniformity in sectional geometry
  • Continuous production

Why choose Burnsall?

  • 70 years of toolmaking experience
  • Fully insured and BS EN ISO 9001 accredited
  • In-house team of expert designers and engineers
  • State-of-the art modelling and programming applications
  • Established relationships with approved contractors
  • High quality and competitive lead times
  • Awarded the only preferred supply status to a facility in Europe by DuPont Performance Elastomers
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