How an Insulator Is Made

Primary process: Compression Molding. The full route, materials, tolerances and design tips for an insulator, with an indicative cost.

Compression MoldingPrimary process
PolymerFamily
7Route steps
+/-0.2mmTypical tol.

An insulator is primarily made by Compression Molding. Compression moulding presses a measured charge of material into a heated mould that closes and cures or sets it, common for thermoset and rubber parts. Below is the full route to make an insulator, the materials it suits, the tolerances to expect and the main design points. The route is free, from the finder.

Step by step

How an insulator is made

The usual route, raw material to finished part. The amber step is where the insulator gets its basic shape.

  1. Material

    Select the polymer grade and colourant for the insulator.
  2. Tooling

    Cut the steel or aluminium mould that forms the insulator.
  3. Compression Molding

    Press the charge in the heated mould and cure to make the insulator.
    Tooling Medium to high   Tolerance ±0.1 to 0.5mm   Lead 6 to 12 weeks
  4. Trim

    Trim the edges, flash and any waste material.
  5. Secondary

    Where the insulator needs them, add inserts, printed graphics or machined details.
    Tooling None   Tolerance ±0.125mm, to ±0.025mm   Lead 1 to 10 days
  6. Assembly

    Where the insulator joins other parts, snap-fit, weld or bond it into the finished product.
    Tooling Low   Tolerance good   Lead immediate
  7. Inspection

    Check fit, finish and any functional dimensions.

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Precision

Tolerances to expect

TYPICAL TOLERANCE IT CAN HOLD
+/-0.2mm typicalcoarsefine+/-1mm+/-0.1mm+/-0.01mm+/-0.005mm
Where this process typically lands. Tighter is possible with extra operations like grinding, at higher cost.
Materials

Materials for an insulator

GradeWhy it suits this
NBR (nitrile)Oil resistant
EPDMWeather, water
SiliconeTemperature, food/medical
Design

Design tips

General pointers. The full design-for-manufacturing list for an insulator is in the dossier.

  • Sharp corners on a seal. Radius them.
  • Over-tight dimensional tolerance. Use rubber tolerance grades.
Cost

What an insulator should cost

Rubber seals and thermoset parts; robust molds, good for mid-to-high volume elastomer/thermoset parts.

PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
one-offat volumeVolume per order, low to highCost per part
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for an insulator at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$4.3 to 10 per part at 100 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER

Everything you need to quote and source it

The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on an insulator and buy it well:

  • Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
  • Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
  • A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
  • The full DFM list and a ready-to-send RFQ draft

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See also: How Compression Molding works and the full route for an insulator in the finder.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How is an insulator made?
An insulator is primarily made by compression molding. The route is: Material; Tooling; Compression Molding; Trim; Secondary; Assembly; Inspection.
What does an insulator cost?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $4.3 to 10 per part at 100 off and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. A model estimate, not a quote.
What material is an insulator made from?
Common choices are NBR (nitrile); EPDM; Silicone.
What is the main process for an insulator?
Compression Molding. Rubber seals, composite panels, electrical parts and silicone moulds in medium volume.
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