About Harboro Rubber Engineering in Rubber      Contents      Introduction      Uses of Rubber      Processing Rubber      Designing With Rubber          Designing For Minimum Costs          Producing A Specification          Prototyping          Designing Components          Tooling Design          Cost          Colour          Surface Finish          Materials          Tolerances          Quality      Selecting / Specifying Rubber      Quality In Rubber      Rubber Directory      Health & Safety      Measuring Properties      Glossary of Terms      Request A Copy Contact Information

Designing For Minimum Costs While every component is designed to fulfil a unique set of operational requirements, there are a number of common principles which will reduce the time and cost of obtaining an economic component. Many of these are self-evident, but some require an understanding of the differences between moulding thermoset rubber and moulding plastics. Parts will be obtained at minimum cost when there are no surprises in the design, supply or use. Good communications and early contact with suppliers, particularly during the development of new parts, will highlight potential areas of uncertainty and allow them to be overcome.