Services
We want to save our customers’ precious time and resources as much as possible and therefore act as a premium full-service provider. That means that we are happy to accompany you from your first product idea to the finished series product.
Our extensive service portfolio begins with joint product development, is continued with rapid tooling and test tooling in sterner’s in-house tool shop and then concluded with the production of silicone parts, optionally also in our clean room. We do all of this in compliance with strict quality standards, which are continuously monitored by our extensive quality management.
For over 40 years we have been honing our skills and made ourselves specialists in the processing of liquid silicone and at the same time a reliable partner of numerous international companies that commission us with the production of high quality silicone parts.
Let’s work on your vision together!
Product Development
At starlim, we have extensive material and process knowledge about the phenomenon of silicone. With reference to your requirements, we start with the product development together.
Clean Room
In order to have a controlled environment for the production of the purest silicone parts, starlim has its own clean room. This is certified according to the classes ISO 14644-1 class 7 & 8 as well as GMP class C&D.
Production
In the fully automatic injection molding process, one-component and multi-component parts are made from silicone at starlim. Production takes place at the Austrian locations in Marchtrenk, Weißkirchen and Lambach as well as in our Canadian branch in London / Ontario.
Silicone Micro Molding
Silicone micro molding is a specialized manufacturing process employed to produce extremely small precision silicone components. We at starlim are capable of manufacturing micro-silicone components weighing less than 10 mg with precision undercuts and indentations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What services does starlim offer at every stage of the product lifecycle?
starlim offers a comprehensive range of services, from the development to the series production of silicone components. These include design and engineering, simulations, material testing, prototyping, tooling, and industrial series production.
Customers can join the process at various project stages—from the initial idea through existing designs to actual series production. Depending on the initial situation, starlim takes on the appropriate tasks and supports the subsequent implementation. Thanks to in-house toolmaking, development, tool fabrication, and production are closely integrated. This allows components to be designed from the outset for stable, efficient, and reliable mass production, and enables changes to be implemented quickly.
In what ways does starlim support the development of silicone components?
starlim supports customers in the development of silicone components with the clear goal of designing them early on for stable and cost-effective mass production. In doing so, geometry, material behavior, and the manufacturing process are considered holistically and specifically coordinated with one another.
To achieve this, starlim combines in-depth material and process expertise with simulations, tests in the development laboratory, and extensive data from existing mass-production projects. This enables even complex components to be evaluated and optimized early on and reliably transformed into a solution suitable for mass production.
What is the role of simulations in product development?
Simulations are a central component of product development at starlim and a key element in designing components for stable mass production at an early stage. They make it possible to realistically simulate both the behavior of the silicone material and the injection molding process even before the mold is manufactured.
On this basis, geometries can be specifically optimized, critical areas identified, and process parameters defined early on. This helps avoid potential sources of error even before series production begins and significantly shortens development times. Combined with material and process expertise as well as data from existing series projects, simulation plays a decisive role in reliably and process-securely industrializing even complex components.
What opportunities does the development lab provide?
In its development lab, starlim specifically investigates the interplay between material behavior, component function, and the manufacturing process. The goal is to establish a solid foundation for future series production as early as possible in the project. To this end, material tests, validations, and investigations are conducted on prototypes and near-production components. The results are directly incorporated into the design of components and processes, helping to identify and minimize potential risks at an early stage.
When is micro-injection molding the right solution?
Micro-injection molding is the right solution when very small silicone components need to be mass-produced with high precision and consistent quality. The challenge lies not only in the size of the components, but in the entire manufacturing process—from molding to the safe handling and further processing of the parts.
To ensure stable processes even at this scale, component geometry, material behavior, and manufacturing steps must be holistically coordinated. Combined with precise mold technology and optimized injection molding processes, even complex microcomponents can be manufactured reliably and reproducibly.
What is the difference between one-component and multi-component injection molding?
In one-component (also known as single-component) injection molding, a part is manufactured from a single material—in the case of starlim Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)—while in multi-component injection molding, multiple materials are combined in a single integrated process step.
Particularly for silicone components, multi-component injection molding enables the direct integration of additional functions—for example, by combining them with other materials or utilizing different material properties. This allows for simplified component design and reduces downstream assembly steps. The precise coordination of materials, molds, and processes is crucial to ensuring stable and reproducible series production.
Learn more about our production processes.
What are the advantages of using multi-component injection molding to produce silicone components?
Multi-component injection molding makes it possible to combine multiple functions directly within a single component—for example, by strategically combining different materials or material properties.
The greatest advantage lies in the reduction of interfaces: components do not need to be assembled afterward, which reduces assembly effort and minimizes potential sources of error. At the same time, this results in more robust and process-stable solutions for mass production.
When is cleanroom production required for silicone components?
Cleanroom production is a key component when manufacturing silicone components that must meet exceptionally high standards for cleanliness and process reliability—such as in medical technology or the life sciences sector in general.
At starlim, the cleanroom is not merely a controlled environment but is fully integrated into the entire production process. This means that every step—from processing to the further treatment of the components—is consistently designed to minimize contamination and ensure consistently high quality.
Combined with automated processes and a stable manufacturing design, this enables even complex components to be produced reproducibly and in large quantities under cleanroom conditions.
How does starlim ensure consistent quality in high-volume production?
starlim ensures stable mass production by specifically designing components for their future manufacturing right from the development phase. Geometry, material behavior, and the injection molding process are coordinated at an early stage to achieve high process stability.
Based on simulations, tests in the development laboratory, and extensive data from existing series production projects, manufacturing processes are specifically defined and validated. This enables even complex components to be transferred to series production in a reproducible manner. A high degree of automation and integrated quality controls ensure that this stability is maintained with consistent quality even for large production volumes—supported by a certified quality management system.
What are the benefits of having an in-house tooling department for developing silicone components?
sterner’s in-house tooling division is closely integrated into starlim’s development and production processes. This allows tools to be tailored specifically to the requirements of the respective silicone component and subsequent series production. This close collaboration reduces coordination points, speeds up coordination, and enables changes to be implemented efficiently. This supports rapid industrialization and ensures a high level of process reliability in series production.
When is starlim the right partner for my project?
starlim is the right partner when silicone components need to be manufactured in large quantities in a stable and cost-effective manner. Especially when faced with complex requirements regarding geometry, function, and process stability, starlim helps design components specifically for reproducible mass production.
Through a combination of development expertise, simulation, in-house toolmaking, and highly automated manufacturing, even challenging projects can be efficiently transitioned to series production and manufactured reliably over the long term.
