How Product Design Affects Silicone Manufacturing Costs

If you have been sourcing silicone products for more than a year, you have probably run into this situation. You receive samples that look perfect, then the mass production order arrives with issues that were not there before. How Product Design Affects Silicone Manufacturing Costs is often where things go wrong.

Where Things Go Wrong

Wall thickness is the single most important factor in silicone part design, and it is also the most commonly messed up. Too thin and the part tears during demolding. Too thick and you get voids and long cure times. For most consumer products, 1.5 to 2.5mm is the sweet spot.

Key Takeaway

Draft angles exist for a reason. Silicone is flexible, so you can get away with less draft than with plastic, but zero draft will still cause tearing and stretching during demolding. We recommend at least 1 degree per side, more for deep parts.

The bottom line is that sourcing does not have to be a gamble. Do your homework, ask the right questions, and find a partner who is willing to be transparent. Lemeng Silicone works with brands of all sizes, from startups to household names. Reach out anytime.