Custom-Molded vs. Off-the-Shelf — Decision Helper

Five questions to show whether a custom rubber part earns its tooling cost.

1. Is the part electrically critical — does it insulate, EMI-shield, or sit near live circuits?

2. Does it need a tight dimensional tolerance or an exact enclosure fit?

3. Must the compound be documented to RoHS, REACH or a UL 94 flame rating?

4. Will the part ship in sustained or repeat production volume?

5. Has a generic catalog part already failed, leaked or fit poorly?

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