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

Producing A Specification   Designers are strongly advised to consider and record a specification covering the following points: • What operating conditions are expected - normally and exceptionally? • What substances will be encountered? • What will be the likely material? (See: Selecting / Specifying Rubber) • Will there be any movement or distortion? • What are the price targets? Are there any tool cost constraints? • What colour should the component be? • What finish is required? • What quality standards will it have to meet? • How many are likely to be required? • Where are tool split lines preferred and is a level of flash permissable (define width & height)? A specification is invaluable in selecting a suitable material for trials, as well as being a sound basis for producing parts which are safe and economic by design. Over-specification may lead to the use of an expensive polymer, an inappropriate tool or unnecessarily costly processing.