Rapid prototyping for silicone and LSR
Before a product can be mass-produced, it must pass various tests and the prototype must be fully functional and error-free in its application. Only then can the product be released for mass production. This is why our product developers produce for very complex developments what is referred to as “hand samples” for development tests in addition to a simulation. This may also be done using 3D printing.
Hand samples
“Hand samples”, also known as “laboratory samples”, are prototypes that were 100% handcrafted in the laboratory. They are used to evaluate the developed design on the part very quickly and to carry out initial preliminary tests during development – rapid prototyping, for instance, is extremely helpful, especially for very complex parts. Prototypes can be created within 4-5 working days. They are handmade (which is why there are a maximum of 10-20 pieces), but they are made from the real material and properly vulcanized.
3D printing
We use 3D printing to support our internal testing and seal design in order to get real results quickly and easily. We manufacture silicone components for verification as well as testing equipment and adapters for testing them in-house
With the help of this new technology, we are opening up completely new worlds for component development in terms of speed and flexibility. Because what was originally only possible after several weeks using injection molded parts from production is now possible in a laboratory on a small scale within a few days or even hours.
This technology supports our seal design and the selection of materials – in the event that elastomer components have to be tested on a real part during the now purely virtual development of elastomer components.
Product Development
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.
Tool making
Tool making
We stick to the “single source supply” principle. Marchtrenk is not only the center for the development of products. Here we design and produce the molds for injection molding products exclusively in our own tool making department. Our expertise is concentrated entirely here at our HQ. This makes us independent and we can react in a flexible manner.
Rapid Tooling
Rapid Tooling
Early mass production-like LSR parts within only 10 working days – this is rapid tooling starlim-sterner-style.
Rapid Tooling – fast tool making – was developed so our customers could be offered first LSR injection parts after a brief time span; those parts were made under mass production-like conditions.
Test tool
Test tool
First serial parts within a short span of time. By producing a test tool it is possible to offer our customers LSR injection molding parts which after a brief time span were made under mass production conditions.
Micro injection molding
Micro injection molding
At starlim, components are manufactured in large series as standard, which have a weight of at least 10mg. We refer to silicone components under 10mg as micro injection molding.
Clean room
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
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.
