Key Considerations When Choosing a Silicone Molder
Optimizing Optical Silicone Molding for Performance and Efficiency
When selecting a silicone molder for your optical components, several critical factors can impact quality, production speed, and overall cost-effectiveness. A.L.P. brings industry-leading expertise and cutting-edge technology to optical silicone molding, ensuring high precision and rapid turnaround. Here are key considerations to guide your selection process.
Capacity
A.L.P. LexaLite® offers an extensive lineup of seven Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) injection molding machines to accommodate projects of various sizes and complexities:
• 80-ton
• 180-ton
• 220-ton
• Three 240-ton
• 660-ton
Advanced Technology
Our state-of-the-art injection molding equipment includes essential production enhancements:
• Built-in conveyor systems for streamlined handling
• Electro Servo injection technology for superior control
Unique Molding Capabilities
With the capacity to mold parts up to approximately 200 square inches, our equipment is ideal for a wide range of optical applications. The low viscosity of Liquid Silicone Rubber requires molds built with extremely tight tolerances to prevent leaks, ensuring the highest precision in molded components.
In-House Tooling Resources
A.L.P. maintains high-speed machining centers and advanced surface grinding capabilities, allowing us to produce critical tooling in-house. This capability significantly reduces lead times and enhances quality control throughout production.
Rapid Prototyping
Speed to market is crucial in today’s competitive environment. Our precise machining processes minimize the need for extensive polishing, allowing us to produce production-ready inserts in weeks rather than months. This streamlined approach ensures faster prototype iterations and accelerated product development.
Materials Expertise
With over a decade of experience in optical silicone molding, our team has extensive knowledge of LSR materials. We understand the unique molding requirements of optical-grade silicones and engineering molds with the precision necessary to prevent leakage and maintain part integrity.
In-House Testing for Quality Assurance
To guarantee superior product performance, we offer:
• Photometry Lab: Enables real-time evaluation of first-run samples
• Optical Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM): Ensures molded parts meet precise design specifications
Partner with A.L.P. LexaLite® for Optical Silicone Molding Excellence
With our cutting-edge silicone molding technology, in-house tooling expertise, and commitment to quality, A.L.P. is your ideal partner for bringing optical silicone molding projects from concept to production—quickly and efficiently.
A.L.P., In-house Tooling, injection molding, LexaLite, Liquid Silicone Rubber, LSR, Moldable Optical Silicone (MOS), Optical Silicone, Rapid Prototyping, Silicone Molder
Press Release: A.L.P.’s Charlevoix Facility Achieves ISO Certification
(Niles, IL) -A.L.P. is pleased to announce that our Charlevoix, MI facility has been certified to ISO 9001:2015 by DNV GL. A.L.P.’s Dickson, TN facility has been certified to 9001:2015 since November 2018. A.L.P. has had a long-established Quality Management System, and these certifications affirm our commitment to effective manufacturing and business practices. “We welcome new and existing customers to audit our facilities,” offers Tom Barnes, VP and Business Unit Manager. “We hope these certificates offer an extra measure of confidence in our abilities,” he adds. A.L.P.’s Charlevoix and Dickson facilities produce LexaLite® brand injection molded components. A.L.P. has also significantly expanded its injection molding capacity in the Monterrey, Mexico plant.
A.L.P. LexaLite is an industry-leading provider of injection molded components in thermoplastic and optical silicone. Long recognized for designing and manufacturing innovative optical lighting components, A.L.P LexaLite also serves markets such as Medical, Automotive, Signage, Point of Purchase, Electronic Equipment, Appliance, and Mass Transportation.
A.L.P.’s team of experts provides specialized services from product design and engineering to tooling and prototyping, product testing and contract assembly. Production capabilities include press sizes ranging 88-1650 tons and industry-leading capabilities in secondary operations such as UV coating and laser cutting. Committed to innovation and responsive to market requirements, A.L.P. LexaLite also offers unrivaled capacity in optical silicone injection molding and edgelit injection molding.
A.L.P. is an international leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of lighting components and components for other technical industries. We offer the industry’s most comprehensive line of products for OEMs and the aftermarket. For custom projects, our unique “360° Solutions” suite of custom services enables us to collaborate with customers at every stage of a product’s life cycle. Our core commitment is to provide superior service and product performance to every customer.
Charlevoix, Edgelit, injection molding, ISO 9001:2015, ISO Certification, MI, Optical Silicone, Press Release, Thermoplastics