RESOURCES

Whether launching a new product line, improving an existing product’s performance or reducing manufacturing costs, manufacturers of curtain walls and architectural glass and glazing go to great lengths to create new or improved extrusion designs.

In today’s innovative, technologically advanced glazing world, very few single parts can possibly handle all of the relevant applications, particularly when it comes to glazing products. Somewhere down the line, you’ll be forced to compromise. How do you choose between a standard of custom part? What do you need to know to make the best decisions?

RMA MO-1 provides the necessary information to designate a dimensional tolerances, finish tolerances, and flash tolerances for molded rubber parts. The RMA designation is specified as follows:

In an ever-changing business environment with fierce competition, managers need to constantly seek out new ways to improve their products or components. Continuous improvement is an important ingredient for innovation, which in turn ensures staying competitive and profitable.

Sustainable and responsible business are no longer merely buzzwords or a concern only for large corporations looking to improve their reputation or win-over more customers, it has become crucial to the strategy of any size company who strives to remain competitive in this complex market environment.

This document lists some of the factors affecting tolerances. In general, the degree of reproducibility of dimensions depends upon the type of tooling and rubber used, and the state of the art.

Today’s competitive manufacturing environment has led to the adoption of lean manufacturing techniques as a way to reduce overall costs by eliminating waste at all levels, reducing inventories, while at the same time improving productivity.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has developed tolerance tables with ranges to provide communication between user and provider across a wide range of industries. These are helpful when designing and producing a part. You can also consult the RMA article on factors affecting tolerances of molded rubber products.