This Report has been authored by:Brendan Cahill at PTG Silicones Inc.

High-speed data acquisition and cavity pressure monitoring capability are gaining popularity, but does the technology yield tangible bottom-line results for liquid silicone rubber molders? With the right knowledge, the latest high-speed data acquisition and cavity pressure and temperature monitoring equipment can be utilized to identify and minimize process variability in the liquid silicone rubber molding cycle. This study investigates various causes of process variability in the molding cycle including the: a) incoming raw material; b) LSR mixing and pumping system; c) molding machine repeatability; and d) process set-up. Cavity pressure and temperature sensors positioned inside a four-cavity mold will be used to determine process stability. A Design of Experiments will be conducted to determine what processing parameters have the greatest influence on overall process stability. Companies involved in this study include: 1. Shin Etsu Silicones 2. Momentive Performance Materials (Formerly GE Silicones) 3. Roembke Design and Manufacturing 4. Fluid Automation 5. PTG Silicones 6. Kistler