TPU and TPE parts custom moulding

In addition, our company has established cooperative relationships with plastic raw material suppliers, printing manufacturers, etc. to ensure the supply of raw materials and printing quality. Through our rich experience and perfect supply chain, our company can provide customers with high-quality customized TPU and TPE parts custom moulding products to meet their specific needs. At the same time, we have 10 years of professional foreign trade service experience, understand the foreign trade process, and better serve our customers. For TPU and TPE parts custom moulding products, we can make corresponding plastic parts, which is mainly done through injection molds.

The customization process of two commonly used elastomer parts, TPE and TPU. From material selection, general processes to key decision points, all will be included so that you can make judgments based on the requirements of the parts.

To facilitate your quick understanding, the following table compares the core differences between TPE and TPU:

Characteristic dimensions: TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer), TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

Material properties

TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) : There are many types, with a wide range of adjustable hardness, hand feel and elasticity, and it is generally softer.

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) : It has more outstanding wear resistance, oil resistance and tear resistance, and high mechanical strength.

Processing performance: TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) : Good fluidity, easy to fill mold.

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is sensitive to moisture and must be thoroughly dried. The processing temperature window is relatively narrow.

Typical applications of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) : interior parts, sealing strips, soft-touch coating layers (such as steering wheels, door panels), gaskets.

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) : Automotive floor MATS, dust covers, corrugated pipes, cable sheaths, and components that require high wear resistance.

Cost

TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) : Overall, it is lower, and both raw material and processing costs are relatively economical.

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) : The cost of raw materials is usually higher than that of TPE.

The following are the key points of each stage:

Demand analysis and part design

Function and Regulations: Clearly define the mechanical requirements of parts such as load-bearing capacity, temperature resistance, and wear resistance, as well as their contact conditions with oil and chemicals. It must be confirmed that it complies with the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of automotive interiors or relevant safety regulations.

Structural design: When designing, full consideration should be given to the draft Angle and the uniformity of wall thickness, and space should be reserved for the larger shrinkage rate of TPE/TPU. If overmolding is involved (such as overmolding soft rubber on a plastic substrate), a specially designed mechanical interlocking structure (such as holes and grooves) is required to enhance the bonding force.

Material selection and formula customization

Basic selection: Make a preliminary choice between TPE and TPU based on the characteristics in the above table.

Deep customization: If the existing grades do not meet the requirements, we can cooperate with material suppliers to customize the formula. By adjusting the base material, additives, etc., specific hardness, color, touch, UV resistance or flame retardancy can be achieved.

Mold design and manufacturing

Mold steel: Select based on production volume. For large-scale production, high-grade steel is required to ensure service life.

Runner and gate: Due to the softness and large shrinkage of the material, the dimensions of the runner and gate are usually designed to be larger than those of injection-molded hard plastics.

Exhaust and cooling: A good exhaust design can prevent the product from trapping gas and burning. A uniform cooling system can reduce deformation.

Sample trial production and verification

Process debugging: This is the core stage, which requires meticulous adjustment of parameters such as temperature, injection speed, pressure, and cooling time. For instance, TPU must be thoroughly dried, and when TPE is overmolded, a relatively high melt temperature is often required to enhance the adhesion to the substrate.

Comprehensive verification: The samples need to undergo dimensional measurement, assembly testing, functional testing and durability testing.

Small-batch trial production and mass production

Conduct small-scale trial production before mass production to verify the stability of molds and processes, and confirm the connection of the supply chain.

During mass production, first-piece inspection, process patrol inspection and final inspection are required to ensure consistent quality.

�� Key points to note and suggestions

Emphasize material drying: especially for TPU, moisture control is the key to success; otherwise, the products will develop bubbles and silver streaks.

Consider the overmolding process: If the part you need is a dual-material structure of "hard plastic + soft rubber" (such as a hard panel with soft rubber keys), overmolding is the ideal process. It involves injection molding TPE/TPU onto an already formed hard substrate, which can achieve seamless bonding, but the process is more complex.

Clarify the special requirements of the industry: The customization of automotive parts has extremely high demands for consistency, durability and safety. Be sure to choose suppliers with IATF 16949 quality management system certification and require them to provide complete material certification and test reports.

In summary, the core of customizing TPE and TPU parts lies in precisely selecting materials based on performance requirements and collaborating with material suppliers and mold/injection molding suppliers for integrated development.

We are a TPU and TPE parts custom moulding manufacturer, providing high-quality TPU and TPE parts custom moulding manufacturing. As long as you want to customize/develop TPU and TPE parts custom moulding products, you can find us. We have professional injection mold design and mature manufacturing technology, providing you with one-stop service, from product design-mold making-product production-product packaging-product transportation, we can help you in every link. As long as you come to us, we will provide you with the ultimate service and satisfy you in terms of product quality, production time, information dialogue, etc.

Plastic Injection Mould making

Plastic molding specifications

Mold design:

Transaction process:

Mold testing:

Product packaging

Factory

We are Custom Plastic Mold factory. Our factory is plastic injection mold maker. we has 17 years of experience in professional custom plastic mold and 10 years of foreign trade experience. We are custom Plastic Mold supplier. We can provide custom Plastic Mold service. Our factory can make the Injection molded plastic parts, and the quality of the products will satisfy you.

We have more than 50 high-end machines and hundreds of engineers and designers. We can provide one-stop service, from product design - mold making - product production - product packaging - transportation. We have a complete production chain. We can meet all your requirements.

Services we provide:

Professional custom mold service, Plastic mold design and manufacturing .plastic product production, product design, mold design, blow mold customization, rotational mold customization, die-casting mold customization. 3D printing services, CNC manufacturing services, product packaging, customized packaging, shipping services.

We always adhere to the principles of quality first and time first. While providing customers with the highest quality products, try to maximize the production efficiency and shorten production time. We are proud to tell every customer that our company has not lost any customer since its establishment.If there is a problem with the product, we will seek a solution actively and take responsibility to the end.

FAQ

Q1: Are you trading company or manufacturer ?

A: We are manufacturers.

Q2. When can I get the quotation?

A: We usually quote within 2 days after we get your inquiry.

If you are very urgent, please call us or tell us in your email so that we can quote for you first.

Q3. How long is the lead-time for mold?

A: It all depends on the products' size and complexity. Normally, the lead time is 25 days.

Q4. I have no 3D drawing, how should I start the new project?

A: You can supply us a molding sample, we will help you finish the 3D drawing design.

Q5. Before shipment, how to make sure the products quality?

A: If you don't come to our factory and also don't have the third party for inspection, we will be as your inspection worker.

We will supply you a video for production process detail include process report, products size structure and surface detail, packing detail and so on.

Q6. What is your payment terms?

A: Mold Payment: 40% deposit by T/T in advance, 30% second mold payment before sending out the first trial samples, 30% mold balance after you agree the final samples.

B:Production Payment: 50% deposit in advance, 50% before sending out the final goods.

Q7: How do you make our business long-term and good relationship?

A:1. We keep good quality and competitive price to ensure our customers benefit for best quality products.

2. We respect every customer as our friend and we sincerely do business and make friends with them, no matter where they come from.