A close-up view of black rubber coils on a factory conveyor belt.

Understanding Extruded Rubber Tolerances

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Understanding Extruded Rubber Tolerances A rubber extrusion tolerance is a measure of how much dimensional flexibility is allowed when manufacturing an extruded rubber part. Some extruded rubber parts must match extremely strict dimensions to ensure appropriate performance in the field. Other parts can serve their function well even if there is some variation in dimensions. The level of precision required depends on the application and the service environment of the part. Because the extrusion process is inherently variable, due to the nature of rubber manufacturing, there are several trade-offs to consider when determining the dimensional tolerances of an extruded part…

Understanding Extruded Rubber Tolerances A rubber extrusion tolerance is a measure of how much dimensional flexibility is allowed when manufacturing an extruded rubber part. Some extruded rubber parts must match extremely strict dimensions to ensure appropriate performance in the field. Other parts can serve their function well even if there is some variation in dimensions. […]

Cut rubber profiles from extrusions

Common Defects in Rubber Extrusion & How to Prevent Them

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Common Rubber Extrusion Defects Like all manufacturing processes, rubber extrusion is vulnerable to certain defects, such as overheating during the extrusion process, surface imperfections, dimensional inaccuracies, and curing problems. Extrusion defects can lead to a wide range of performance issues and considerable problems for the end user. Understanding what causes extrusion defects is the first step for rubber manufacturers seeking to develop the proper care and quality assurance practices for prevention. Surface Imperfections Pits, bumps, scratches, and other surface imperfections on extruded parts can cause performance problems such as leakage and insufficient sealing. These polymer extrusion defects may be caused…

Common Rubber Extrusion Defects Like all manufacturing processes, rubber extrusion is vulnerable to certain defects, such as overheating during the extrusion process, surface imperfections, dimensional inaccuracies, and curing problems. Extrusion defects can lead to a wide range of performance issues and considerable problems for the end user. Understanding what causes extrusion defects is the first […]

Colorful, flexible rubber cable on white background.

Exploring UP&R’s Diverse Capabilities

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Universal Polymer and Rubber is proud to offer a robust portfolio of rubber manufacturing services to support the diverse needs of your business. Our rubber product manufacturing capabilities include rubber and plastic extrusion, rubber molding, and die cutting, all of which can be customized to support new and unique applications in a wide range of industries.  UP&R’s Polymer Manufacturing Capabilities UP&R has spent years earning our reputation as a leading rubber parts manufacturer by focusing on these four core capabilities. We have made multiple strategic investments into expanding our capacity and deepening our expertise through business acquisitions and talent development,…

Universal Polymer and Rubber is proud to offer a robust portfolio of rubber manufacturing services to support the diverse needs of your business. Our rubber product manufacturing capabilities include rubber and plastic extrusion, rubber molding, and die cutting, all of which can be customized to support new and unique applications in a wide range of […]

A pile of small, black rubber rings showing an extruded part.

How Rubber Extrusion Is Perfected at UP&R

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What Is Rubber Extrusion? Rubber extrusion is a specialized rubber manufacturing process for creating custom components. A rubber extruder forces heated, uncured rubber through an extruder die to create a continuous rubber shape with a specialized profile. The shape is later cured and cut to length depending on the application. Rubber extrusion is often the manufacturing method of choice for long shapes, such as trims, window frames, seals, and tubing.  Universal Polymer and Rubber (UP&R) has years of rubber extrusion experience. We have honed our rubber manufacturing processes over the decades to ensure unbeatable quality and precision, every time. Rubber…

What Is Rubber Extrusion? Rubber extrusion is a specialized rubber manufacturing process for creating custom components. A rubber extruder forces heated, uncured rubber through an extruder die to create a continuous rubber shape with a specialized profile. The shape is later cured and cut to length depending on the application. Rubber extrusion is often the […]

Manager with digital tablet in factory hall examining roll of rubber

Why Did Rubber Come to Akron?

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Akron has long been called the Rubber City—but that moniker was earned over many decades of growth and innovation. Much of the rich history of rubber manufacturing unfolded in Ohio, starting over 150 years ago. As the rubber industry has grown, its footprint has spread beyond Akron and throughout Northeast Ohio. Universal Polymer and Rubber (UP&R), a rubber manufacturer, put down roots in Middlefield in 1971 and later established additional rubber manufacturing facilities in Tallmadge. UP&R has over fifty years of experience in the rubber parts manufacturing industry and has expanded and refined its rubber manufacturing offerings in line with…

Akron has long been called the Rubber City—but that moniker was earned over many decades of growth and innovation. Much of the rich history of rubber manufacturing unfolded in Ohio, starting over 150 years ago. As the rubber industry has grown, its footprint has spread beyond Akron and throughout Northeast Ohio. Universal Polymer and Rubber […]

The UP&R Approach to Business Growth

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Starting in 2008, Universal Polymer and Rubber (UP&R) undertook a multi-year strategic acquisitions initiative with the goal of increasing our capacity and expanding our service offerings. We are proud to say that our acquisition strategy has been a tremendous success, especially with regard to how we are able to serve our customers. We’re sharing a brief overview of our acquisition history as a rubber component manufacturer and the priorities that guided our strategy. What is an Acquisition Strategy? An acquisition strategy is a set of criteria, goals, and values used to guide decisions around acquiring other companies. Many, if not…

Starting in 2008, Universal Polymer and Rubber (UP&R) undertook a multi-year strategic acquisitions initiative with the goal of increasing our capacity and expanding our service offerings. We are proud to say that our acquisition strategy has been a tremendous success, especially with regard to how we are able to serve our customers. We’re sharing a […]

Metal hangar with conveyor and rubber belt

How UP&R’s Logistics Keep Customers Ahead

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What Is Manufacturing Logistics? Manufacturing logistics is a blanket term for the process of getting products and materials from one place to another. This may include coordinating the procurement and delivery of raw materials to a manufacturing facility or transporting finished products to a customer. Another term for this practice is supply chain management. Because manufacturing is often a large-scale operation, coordinating manufacturing logistics is more complex than simply ordering something online. Large orders may require pallets, shipping containers, and freight arrangements to get from place to place. Additionally, some products and materials may require special handling, especially when traveling…

What Is Manufacturing Logistics? Manufacturing logistics is a blanket term for the process of getting products and materials from one place to another. This may include coordinating the procurement and delivery of raw materials to a manufacturing facility or transporting finished products to a customer. Another term for this practice is supply chain management. Because […]

Large-size profile being extruded in rubber factory

Understanding UP&R’s Rubber Processes & Quality Standards

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Rubber Product Manufacturing Processes How is rubber manufactured? This is no simple question. The process of rubber manufacturing dates back well over a century, to the earliest compression molds of the 1890s. The rubber manufacturing process has undergone considerable developments since then. Today’s rubber product manufacturing technology blends time-honored best practices with modern production advancements. Rubber product manufacturers can choose from a range of manufacturing methods to create everything from simple shapes to complex components destined for secondary processes and rigorous service environments. So, how is rubber manufactured? Below are some of the most common rubber manufacturing processes. Die Cutting…

Rubber Product Manufacturing Processes How is rubber manufactured? This is no simple question. The process of rubber manufacturing dates back well over a century, to the earliest compression molds of the 1890s. The rubber manufacturing process has undergone considerable developments since then. Today’s rubber product manufacturing technology blends time-honored best practices with modern production advancements. […]

Boxes of product made in the united states on a conveyor belt

Understanding Domestic vs. Foreign Manufacturing

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Understanding Domestic Manufacturing In the United States, domestic manufacturing refers to any manufacturing that occurs entirely on American soil, rather than overseas. Choosing an American rubber parts manufacturer means keeping the entire supply chain within US borders and adhering to American regulations and standards for manufactured goods. The top five manufacturing states are California, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan. Benefits of Working with a Domestic Polymer Parts Manufacturer Choosing a domestic rubber manufacturer offers several significant advantages, starting with simple logistics. Communication is much easier when two businesses are located in the same country. Even if a West Coast company…

Understanding Domestic Manufacturing In the United States, domestic manufacturing refers to any manufacturing that occurs entirely on American soil, rather than overseas. Choosing an American rubber parts manufacturer means keeping the entire supply chain within US borders and adhering to American regulations and standards for manufactured goods. The top five manufacturing states are California, Texas, […]

A row of 3 power transformers with well managed cables

Applications of Extruded Rubber in Power Generation

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Key Applications Extruded rubber has multiple uses in the energy and power generation industry. From extruded rubber seals and insulation to vibration dampening, extruded rubber components play a critical role in the efficiency and safety of power generation. Electrical Insulation The energy industry relies heavily on extruded rubber parts for electrical insulation applications. Extruded rubber seals, bushings, connectors, mats, and rubber pipe gaskets are found throughout power and energy assemblies to ensure that energy is distributed and directed reliably. Extruded rubber insulation components protect workers from shock hazards and boost energy efficiency by preventing currents from dissipating or moving away…

Key Applications Extruded rubber has multiple uses in the energy and power generation industry. From extruded rubber seals and insulation to vibration dampening, extruded rubber components play a critical role in the efficiency and safety of power generation. Electrical Insulation The energy industry relies heavily on extruded rubber parts for electrical insulation applications. Extruded rubber […]