Rubber metal connections

As a manufacturer of rubber-metal compounds with in-house toolmaking and a high level of vertical integration, we will find the right elastomer, the right metal component and the optimum production solution for your application.

Rubber metal connections - Customised, directly from the manufacturer

We are a manufacturer of customised rubber-to-metal connections for technical applications in mechanical engineering, the electronics industry, medical technology, aviation and infrastructure. In addition to rubber-metal connections, we also supply Rubber-plastic connections, Molded Rubber and Silicone moulded parts.

Rubber-metal suction cups (long geometry) for secure gripping, high dimensional stability and reliable power transmission - made to measure.

Rubber metal suction cup

Rubber-metal shaft seals for reliable sealing of rotating shafts against media, dirt and environmental influences - manufactured to customer specifications.

Shaft seal

Vacuum cups with metal insert for secure gripping, high dimensional stability and reliable connection to the application - manufactured according to customer specifications.

Vacuum cup metal insert

Customised geometry according to customer project: miniature valve tappets for precise actuation and reliable power transmission in a small installation space.

Miniature valve tappet

Customised valve tappets for precise actuation and reliable power transmission in valve systems.

Valve tappet

Customised valve disc for the safe opening, closing and regulation of media flows.

Valve disc

Customised valve bodies for the precise control and shut-off of media flows.

Valve body

Customised production: Module contact jaws for precise, safe and gentle gripping of components.

Module contact jaw

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Materials for your rubber-metal connections

Almost all common materials are available for our metal-rubber moulded parts. We combine the right rubber with various metals to fulfil your requirements:

Metals

Steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass and other metallic materials as well as special alloys - internally machined and pre-treated according to drawing for optimum adhesion and process reliability.

Elastomers

NR, EPDM, SBR, NBR, HNBR, CR, FKM, FFKM and many other elastomer compounds - from standard types to high-performance rubbers with special properties.

We will be happy to advise you on the choice of material and find the Most economical manufacturing process for your rubber-to-metal bond.

Properties Rubber metal connections

Rubber-metal connections combine the advantages of hard and soft components. Rubber provides flexibility and damping, metal stability and resilience. GUME creates your highly functional moulded parts for industrial technology with a strong, inseparable rubber-metal bond.

At a glance:

Superior mechanical stability through metal carrier parts
Elastic properties for damping, sealing, and vibration isolation
High load capacity and long service life
Reduction in the number of parts and assembly work
Firm, non-detachable bond between rubber and metal
Optimized load distribution through engineered component geometry

Rubber-metal connection made to measure

We are your manufacturer of rubber-metal connections that are precisely customised to your requirements, your quantities and your applications. Production follows a process scheme that enables efficient and economical manufacturing despite maximum design freedom.

Set design

If the geometry of the rubber-metal connections has not yet been finalised, we will advise you on the production-orientated design and support you in the selection of materials. Once the design (geometry and material) of the rubber-metal connections and the quantities have been finalised, we will find the most economical tool concept and prepare a quotation within two days. For complex geometries or higher quantities, we can initially produce a prototype mould in a simple design on request. Contact us for a personal consultation on your project.

Production of the inserts

We manufacture the metal inserts for rubber-metal connections directly in-house. After milling, the metal surface is prepared: Visible surfaces can be coated, adhesion surfaces can be roughened by vibratory grinding or sandblasting. We then apply a bonding system consisting of primer and adhesion promoter. During vulcanisation, this reacts with the metal oxide layer and rubber at 150-180 °C and forms an inseparable bond. The adhesion is so strong that in shear and tensile tests, the breakage occurs in the rubber instead of on the adhesive surface.

Tool design

We manufacture sample and series tools for the vulcanisation of our rubber-metal compounds ourselves using modern CNC machines. Thanks to our in-house toolmaking department, we can respond particularly quickly to urgent requests and implement component modifications and iterations immediately during the development phase. This also enables express production for the start of series production of your rubber-metal compounds in four weeks.

Prototypes & series production

As soon as the sample mould and inserts are ready, we produce the first rubber-metal prototypes for you to test and approve. If changes are necessary, we iterate quickly and deliver new prototypes. If you are satisfied with the final geometries and properties, we produce a series mould and start series production. An initial sample test report of the series mould ensures the series quality for your rubber-metal connections. Contact us for personalised advice on your rubber-metal elements.

Rubber-metal connection made to measure

01 Set design

02 Mould design

03 Production of inserts

04 Prototypes & series production

Customised Rubber-metal connections: We think along with you to keep your series running

Insights into the success stories
of our customers.

Iterative product development and project management

The challenge

The project with a medical technology manufacturer started at a very early concept stage on the basis of a specification sheet, but without a clear definition of the geometry and the material to be used.

Solution

Together with the customer's development department, GUME worked out an optimal solution in an iterative process and 14 component adaptations. Due to the close coordination between internal toolmaking and elastomer production, iterations could often be implemented within the same weeks.

Result

The rapid iteration and close interaction as a development partner ensured a high level of development reliability despite the time-critical and complex task. The development and release times were significantly reduced and a production- and therefore cost-optimised design was developed.

Setting up dual sourcing for a critical component

The challenge

The manufacturer of measurement technology purchased a critical component in large quantities from a single source. This led to dependency and the risk of a complete production shutdown in the event of a supplier failure. Earlier attempts to establish a second supplier failed due to the technically demanding production process.

Solution

Due to the challenging properties of the component, GUME involved external specialists in the development process. Thanks to a structured development process, it was possible to achieve the desired component properties over several iterations and test cycles.

Result

The customer now has a secure supply chain with GUME as a second supplier and additional resilience. Purchasing also benefited from cost improvements due to competition and the ability to place quantity structures flexibly.

Express service to avoid a production stop

The challenge

The previous rubber parts supplier of a crane manufacturer was in danger of failing, with the risk of a production standstill due to missing components. In order to safeguard production, a new supplier had to be established within a very short space of time and several new moulds had to be developed.

Solution

GUME prepared a quotation for the components concerned within one working day. Qualification as a new supplier, including documentation and an on-site visit, took place within a week. Thanks to the integrated express design and production of the moulds at GUME, the first components were delivered just two weeks later.

Result

The supply of parts was ensured thanks to the rapid implementation and tool development and production downtime was avoided. The customer quickly gained planning security and reduced the risk of further delivery failures.

Do you have questions about rubber-metal connections?
We have answers!

What advantages do rubber-metal connections offer over components made of 100% rubber?

Rubber-metal connections combine stability and elasticity in one component. This results in durable, resilient solutions with reduced assembly effort. The combination of metal support elements and rubber components enables high mechanical loads to be absorbed while at the same time providing vibration damping and flexibility. Compared to pure rubber parts, rubber-metal connections offer improved force transmission and a longer service life, as the adhesive bond protects the material structure and prevents signs of fatigue. In addition, these rubber-metal parts minimise the need for additional connecting elements, as the integration of both materials ensures a firm and inseparable connection during the manufacturing process. This results in the elimination of assembly times, as the components are already combined during production.

Which metals can be processed in rubber-metal compounds?

We process all common metals such as steel, stainless steel, aluminium and brass. If required, special alloys based on nickel, cobalt or titanium can also be processed. We are also happy to support you in selecting the right material based on your requirements and tailored to the load, weight and corrosion requirements.

In what batch sizes can rubber-metal compounds be produced?

As a subcontractor, we manufacture rubber-metal compounds in customised products for special projects, in small series of 10 to 1,000 pieces as well as in medium and large series. This flexibility sets us apart from other manufacturers of rubber-metal compounds: With modern CNC machining, not only tools but also metal inserts are produced economically, quickly and to the highest quality in flexible quantities. We look forward to your enquiry: both for individual production and for large series of 100,000 pieces and more.

Why are rubber-metal connections vulcanised and not glued?

Vulcanisation uses heat and pressure to create a strong, inseparable rubber-metal bond. This bond is significantly more resilient, durable and resistant to temperature, media and dynamic forces than a bonded joint. In the event of a defect, a structural break occurs in the rubber before the bond is released.

For which components should rubber-plastic, silicone or rubber be used?

Rubber-plastic composite components combine the flexibility of rubber with the easy mouldability and low weight of plastic. They are suitable for components that require more stability than components made of pure rubber, but less than rubber-metal connections and are produced in large quantities, as plastics are cheap to process once a mould has already been produced.

Components made of 100% rubber are more flexible, more elastic and designed for repeated deformations, for example in seals, sleeves or protective covers. Purely elastic requirements can be reliably covered, but tensile or compressive loads can only be insufficiently absorbed.

As a manufacturer of rubber-metal compounds, we at GUME process all elastomers and all material combinations with metals. We are also happy to advise you on the selection of the right material.

Which certificates and quality checks are possible?

If material certificates are required for your rubber-metal compounds in accordance with RoHs, REACH, FDA or other requirements, we will be happy to supply these. If required, we can also test the finished rubber-metal elements for defined properties such as elongation, adhesion, dimensional accuracy and tensile and compressive deformation. In special cases, we can also have your rubber-metal compounds tested by an external test laboratory for special requirements such as AED, outgassing, behaviour under radiation exposure, etc.

How quickly can rubber-metal connections be delivered?

We have a wide range of raw materials for moulds, inserts and rubber parts in stock. In combination with in-house toolmaking, integrated metal parts production and optimised processes for express deliveries, we can often produce prototypes as rubber-metal compounds within 2 weeks and start series production within 4 weeks. If required, we can also act as a development partner and work with you to develop rubber-metal compounds until they are ready for series production.

Rubber metal connections