The Company was established in 1980 in a small factory on the site of the old Burnaston Airfield in Derbyshire - now the home of Toyota - with a view to manufacturing custom rubber mouldings to industry, and became incorporated in 1986 as SRM Mouldings Ltd.
A move to a bigger factory followed in 1987, and we became the first UK customer for Maplan injection moulding machines in 1988 as we moved into higher-volume injection moulding for an increasingly demanding customer base.
We purchased Topley & Fisher Ltd in 1990 to provide an engineering and toolmaking facility, moving the existing staff and equipment into an adjacent unit to give a complete in-house engineering service.
Gasket manufacturing capacity was added, quickly followed by additional compression moulding capability when we purchased Peakland Rubber Mouldings in 1991. This allowed us to move into rubber-to-metal bonding and product development. Lower volume, highly technical products can be manufactured here using a variety of compression presses.
We added a kitting and assembly division in 1999 to add an extra dimension; this started as a further service for existing customer products, but developed as new customers demanded specific requirements.
In 2008, we amalgamated these separate entities into the present company, SRM Industries Ltd, and continued growth over the last four decades has allowed us to support customers large and small, domestic and international. The range of industries we serve is expansive and varied.
We continue to invest in new state-of-the-art, energy efficient Maplan injection moulding machines and Mewo cryogenic de-flashing machines.
Our ethos is to make high-quality products and to treat our customers courteously and individually.
Introducing SRM Our Values
advisors to our clients.
We build lasting relationships with our clients, staff and suppliers built on trust, integrity and loyalty.
Through a combination of innovation and technical know-how, we are able to deliver time and again where others stumble, and go the extra mile to make it happen.
We love to say ‘yes we can’.
Rubber Mouldings
Based in the heart of the UK, we are a 24-hour moulding operation, offering a wide variety of moulding capability.
We offer technical design assistance at all stages, working closely with the customer from initial concept and prototyping, through tool design, production runs and aftersales.
Injection Rubber Moulding
Maximum Durability and Versatility
Injection rubber moulding provides a vast range of products: from making rubber gaiters for joystick manufacture, where there is a need for high volumes but with a high level of consistency across multiple batches; oil seals where accuracy is essential; to water couplings to prevent leaks. Even buttons for breathing apparatus, where precision and durability is paramount, as lives can be at risk.
As a specialist rubber moulding company, we have an unparalleled knowledge of injection rubber moulding. We are one of the leading rubber products manufacturers and have worked across a broad range of industry sectors including: Electronics, Rail, Petrochemical, Construction and Medical to name but a few.
In 2021 and 2022 SRM invested in 11 new energy efficient Maplan injection moulding machines and 2 new Mewo cryogenic de-flashing machines, cementing SRM’s place as a front runner within the industry.
All of our moulds are engineered in house by our highly skilled CNC Mouldmakers, this gives our customers the peace of mind that we can manage the whole process from initial design through to distribution on time and on budget.
We pride ourselves on our fantastic customer service and variety of high quality rubber products.
In short we...
Compression Rubber Moulding
Low Volume, Less Waste
Compression Rubber Moulding is generally used in low volume applications as the tooling cost is cheap. There is less set up waste as there is no requirement to purge out the machine. This makes it ideal for niche industry replacements such as motorbikes and the vintage car market.
It also allows larger thicker products to be moulded in excess of 20kgs in weight and we can achieve larger sized mouldings up to 850mm square in size.
Also Compression Moulding is generally better for rubber to metal bonded products as the metal parts are manually loaded into the mould out of the press for greater precision and accuracy.
Previous compression moulding projects include:
• Transport / logistics industry - Road humps – seen at popular places such as Birmingham NEC, Manchester Airport - Where product weight is in excess of 5 kgs
• Automotive Industry - Vintage car market/ niche industrial replacement seals, motorbike spares - When runs are less than 100 parts
• Nuclear industry - O rings for nuclear containers - Where products are 800mm in size
THE PROS OF COMPRESSION RUBBER MOULDING INCLUDE:
• No set-up costs
• Short set-up time
• No costly purging on machinery
• Large weight and size mould capacity
• Good for short runs
• Good for prototyping
• Low-cost tooling in comparison to injection rubber moulding
THE CONS OF COMPRESSION RUBBER MOULDING INCLUDE:
• Less consistent than injection
• Longer cure times
• Expensive on large runs
• Higher unit cost
• Higher labour costs
• More waste
Combine both processes by working smart with SRM
A great example of how these two processes can be used in unison is in product development and R&D.
Using compression rubber moulding, a prototype can be produced in the exact rubber compound that will be used in the final run. This can then be tested and if needed, produced in different materials to simulate multiple outcomes; speeding up and streamlining the process and saving costly re-makes further down the line.
Once the client is happy with the results of the prototype, we can convert the compression tooling to injection tooling for the final product run, saving time and money.
The same process can be used when running a small volume job that needs to be switched to larger volumes to meet demand.
The process of combining compression and injection rubber moulding optimises and streamlines the process of product development, making the whole process more viable from a cost perspective.
For more information and guidance about the best rubber moulding processes and correct rubber compounds, email sales@srm-industries.com or visit www.srm-industries.com
Mould-making & Prototype Production
At SRM we use single cavity tooling to produce one-off samples that can be produced in the exact production material.
This gives a far greater insight into how the product will perform than the standard prototype materials, as it enables testing of the intended compound itself.
We are also able to run different materials to simulate multiple outcomes, speeding up and streamlining the process, saving a costly re-make.
All of this is done in-house by our highly experienced team of product designers.
CAD/CAM prototyping
We will then review any drawings, samples or CAD models you may have developed at this stage and then our technical experts will suggest applicable materials and design traits to create a product that best meets your requirements.
At SRM, CAD and CAM are an integral part of how we work. From the initial tool design using Solidworks CAD package, to the manufacture of complex designs.
CAD and CAM take the human error element from a project, giving a more streamlined 21st century approach.
They enable the creation of more complex designs with precision repeatability, or even the ability to prototype for one-offs or batch work.
For more information about mould-making & prototyping, or to discuss your requirements, contact sales@srm-industries.com today.
The use of CAD and CAM is imperative in areas such as fire safety, and also the petrochemical industry where seals and diaphragms have no margin for error. It removes discrepancies, ensuring every individual product is identical.
At SRM we can supply a complete range of non-metallic die-cut gaskets to suit all applications
Our machinery covers a wide spectrum of die-cut technology from the small lot, swing beam press to fully automated ultra-high-speed kiss-cutting production equipment.
Our kiss-cut self-adhesive products can be supplied on reels without any excess waste material.
GASKET USES INCLUDE
• anti-vibration
• supporting mounts
• noise reduction
• sealing
The tooling required is low cost and quick turnaround with average lead-time from order to samples of less than one week.
We stock many non-metallic materials in various thicknesses, including Food quality (FDA-approved) material and WRC / WRAS-approved material
Automated production planning and monitoring gives us the capability to manufacture and supply high-quality products to customer deadlines.
Die-cut Gaskets materials guide
COMMERCIAL QUALITY RUBBER
Commercial quality rubber is an entry-level material with a broad range of uses. It is mainly used in gaskets for anti-vibration
It is not, however, a suitable material when creating seals and should not be used in products that may be subject to high pressures, heat or chemicals such as acid.
Typical uses include rubber feet for domestic appliances like televisions, where it acts as a noise reducer and protects against
EPDM FOAM
If you are looking for a gasket that is water-resistant; can handle extreme temperatures (both hot and cold); is resistant to ozone and incredibly long-lasting, then EPDM is the choice for you.
EPDM’s water-resistance is second-to-none, making it the ideal material for creating gasket seals in drainage pipes, as it complies to BSEN681-1.
VITON
Viton is an extremely hard-wearing compound. It is chemical- and acid-resistant and can withstand oil temperatures of 300 degrees C, making it perfect for gaskets used in the petrochemical industry.
At SRM we carry Viton in stock which is not the industry norm. We are able to mould sheets in-house to the required size in our
Other non-rubber materials
ASTROTURF
One of the more unusual materials we use when producing gaskets is Astroturf; this is predominantly used in the leisure industry.
Examples include
• Sprinkler head covers
• Manhole covers
• Golf turf cups
NON-MARKING CORK
Cork gaskets can be used as a non-marking backing or foot for products; we also produce cork non-marking feet for stands in car showrooms.
Cryogenic De-flashing
At SRM we can de-flash your rubber moulded products, whether injection or compression moulded; and can process all types of rubber and silicone. We have recently installed two state-of-the-
Our machines
MEWO JET ROTOR L
The JET ROTOR-Series is a very powerful basic drum-type mediablasting de-burring system. It is an ideal introduction for the cryogenic finishing of rubber, plastic and non-ferrous metals from small to medium sized batches. It has a batch volume of up to 50 litres.
The de-burring drum ensures the separation of burr and granulate. The external vacuum ensures the de-dusting of the blast medium.
de-burring system for various cryogenic de-burring applications of seals and moulded parts made of rubber, plastic and non-ferrous volume of up to 12 litres ensures exceedingly precise results and is ideal for prototypes and short-run products and components that
What is cryogenic de-burring de-flashing?
The process of cryogenic de-burring / de-flashing involves using a combination of liquid nitrogen and plastic granulate to remove burrs from moulded components. This gives the components the desired final appearance and specification. When de-burring the components, precise settings are determined and documented according to the material and shape being processed.
The benefits of cryogenic de-flashing over
hand-trimming
Hand-trimming high-volume parts is time-consuming and expensive. Smaller batches of high-precision or application-critical parts de-flashed by hand-trimming is a risk. A small cut or tear in the wrong place can be a disaster for your customer. Cryogenic de-flashing takes that risk away.
For more information about de-burring and de-flashing, or to discuss your requirements, contact SRM today.
Assembly, Kitting and Ultrasonic Cleaning
SRM has a dedicated in-house assembly and kitting service.
We can pick and pack your products into kits; effectively managing another part of the supply chain.
The kits are packed to customer-specific requirements, barcoded and supplied in bulk. Using advanced materials and state-of-the-art technology, we minimise cost and maximise efficiency.
• We undertake rework solutions.
• We repack and resend.
• We develop customer-specific cells to undergo tests on products.
• We build rigs and fixtures to carry out precise tests and record data for customer analysis.
• We have an ultrasonic cleaning cell to cater for small product cleaning.
• We can build sub-assemblies enabling you to manage a smaller supply chain.
We can offer a logistics service for your products as our integrated supply chain software allows us to distribute your
items from website sales direct to your customers.
• Real time stock and warehouse monitoring gives us full visibility of stock levels and ensures continuity of supply.
SRM help you reduce your procurement requirement by receiving fully kitted assemblies or component kits rather than purchasing numerous individual parts.
As a key part of the supply chain, we understand that many of our customers now require a ‘one-stop shop’, and sub-assemblies are an important part of their purchasing process.
Our fully equipped, clean assembly area can cater for all of your requirements. This is supported by our fully skilled team of engineers and rubber moulders.
Sub-assembly
At SRM, we added a kitting and assembly division in 1999 to add an extra dimension; this started as a further service for existing customer products, but developed as new customers demanded specific requirements.
Today we deal with a broad range of product assembly in a diverse range of sectors; for example Turf Cups which we produce for many Premier League football grounds. Over the years, through our R&D program, we have worked with the customers to refine these products; creating interchangeable parts which are easily replaceable and negate the need for the whole sprinkler unit to be removed – saving time and money for our clients.
Typical assemblies we produce include:
• Pulley wheels
• Assembly jigs
• Banding for couplings
• Turf cups
• Manual rubber-to-metal bondings
• Adhesive backings with UV curing
• Bumpers and bump stops for construction vehicles
Ultrasonic cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaning uses cavitation bubbles induced by highfrequency soundwaves to agitate a liquid. The agitation produces high forces on contaminants adhered to the metal, nylon or rubber part. This action also penetrates blind holes, cracks, and recesses.
bacteria, polishing compounds, flux agents, fingerprints etc.
Ultrasonic cleaning can be used for a wide range of products of all shapes, sizes and materials, and may not require the part to be disassembled prior to cleaning.
MEDICAL
SRM work extensively in the medical sector, where it is crucial that components are free from contamination. The medical industry demands silicone-based products. Silicone is a clean product and contains no impurities; it can also withstand boiling water and sterilisation whilst maintaining its integrity.
SRM have dedicated clean environment areas and hold medicalapproved silicone in stock.
Types of rubber we use
The 6 types of rubber we use in the rubber moulding process and why?
1. SILICONE RUBBER MOULDING
Silicone Rubber Moulding is used in many automotive, electronics and aerospace applications where resistance to temperature extremes is necessary. Examples of products include: low-smoke, low-toxicity products for the rail industry; FDA-approved bakeware mouldings and glow-in-the-dark perimeter blocks.
The benefits
• Faster cycling
• High temperature-tolerance
• Low toxicity
• Full colour spectrum
• Very clean precise moulding
• Broad market usage
raw material for a series of specialist industries such as fire prevention, marine, rail & underground.
The benefits
• Self-extinguishing
• Resistant to oil
• Weather-resistant
• Non-conductive
• Full colour range
• Broad market usage
O-ring seals used in engines across all types of industries from construction to rail and public transport.
The benefits
• Resistant to oil
• FDA approved
• Low cost
• Broad market usage
• Fast cycling
• Rubber-to-metal bonding
4. NATURAL RUBBER MOULDING
Natural Rubber has incredible elasticity and will always return to its original shape, making it an excellent shock absorption and anti-vibration choice. It is commonly used in the food processing and manufacturing industries to produce shock absorbers for production lines where an anti-vibration requirement is paramount. Another great benefit to Natural Rubber is its wear-resistance. This makes it ideal for seals (although not where water is present). It is commonly used in the rail and defence industries and is nuclear approved.
The benefits
Water-resistant
FDA approved
Good elasticity
Anti-vibration
Nuclear approved
Wear-resistant
5. EPDM RUBBER MOULDING
If you are looking for a rubber compound that is water-resistant; can handle extreme temperatures (both hot and cold); is resistant to ozone and incredibly longlasting, then EPDM is the choice for you.
EPDM is great outdoors, so it is a natural choice for use in road signs and speed humps because of its durability and toughness. Its water resistance is secondto-none, making it the compound of choice for seals in drainage pipes, as it complies to BSEN681-1.
The benefits
• Water-resistant
• Extreme weather-resistant
• Ozone-resistant
• Oxidation-resistant
• Long-lasting
• Broad market usage
Why use SRM for rubber moulding?
Here at SRM we’ve been working with these 6 types of rubber for over 40 years and have an extensive knowledge of their properties and applications. Working with specialist material laboratories, we have developed our own compounds for optimum performance every time.
6. VITON RUBBER MOULDING
Viton is an extremely hard-wearing compound. It is chemical- and acid-resistant and can withstand oil temperatures of 300 degrees C, making it perfect for use in the petrochemical industry for seals and clamps.
Viton is commonly used for O-rings in engine seals where resistance to fuel and oil at high temperatures is paramount, particularly where high concentrations of bio-diesel are required.
The benefits
• Chemical- and acid-resistant
• Extreme temperature tolerance
• Ozone-resistant
• FDA approved
• Premium quality product
• Broad market usage
We hold a broad range of stock materials on site and can produce the mould tooling in house, whether it be injection, transfer or compression tooling; this allows us to mould the complete volume spectrum, from small quantities to mass production.
Industries we work with...
From scientific speaker surrounds for the music industry to personal grooming products, we manufacture a whole range of items for the leisure industry, guaranteeing satisfied customers wherever they are used. We protect the metatarsals of global footballing superstars with the manufacture and supply of silicone pads for ‘Metasox’ sportswear.
FOOD
We supply lollipop and sweet moulds, ensuring generations of happy children. Confectionery moulds contribute to some of the UK’s best-loved and most exported products.
CONSTRUCTION
Joystick and lever gaiters, boots and dust covers, grommets and bushes for cable protection, terminal covers, rubber feet and belts are just some of the extensive range of products SRM supplies for the construction industry.
MARINE
From boat buffers and ladder steps, to diving equipment and submarine parts, where there is water there will always be a need for our products.
DEFENCE
SRM are approved to supply parts to the latest sub-surface vessels, to the highest quality-standard requirements.
POWER GENERATION
We manufacture seals and insulators made from high-specification silicone rubber for power plants across the globe.
NUCLEAR
SRM supply transportation pads and O-ring seals for containers, approved to nuclear industry standards.
reliable transfer of digital information.
FIRE AND SAFETY
We keep our firemen safe by providing fire-retardant rubber products for breathing apparatus, and a range of accessories in specialist selfextinguishing materials. We manufacture flame-proof blocks for use in high-rise accommodation. We manufacture products for scuba equipment and help to keep international travellers safe with components for airport security systems.
WATER AND DRAINAGE
SRM manufacture a huge range of products for all things aquatic. From gaiters and diaphragms in domestic showers and plumbing systems, to commercial pipeline seals for major infrastructure projects, SRM’s products
will be there. We also aid the supply of water to where it is needed, whether through sprinkler systems on golf courses or football pitches, or helping the agricultural industry to grow crops.
ELECTRONICS
We provide IP-rated solutions to the electronics industry to ensure the safety and integrity of domestic appliances. Our products prevent water ingress to circuit boards, and can be found in automotive electronics systems. SRM have extensive experience of manufacturing components for the consumer electronics industry, including mobile phones and touch-screen devices.
t: +44(0)1283 814411 | e: sales@srm-industries.com | www.srm-industries.com Castle View Industrial Estate, Station Road, Hatton, Derbyshire, DE65 5EL, UK
