In industrial manufacturing, the demand for custom-shaped plastic and rubber components continues to grow. Whether it’s for sealing, protection, insulation, or structural applications, custom-molded and extruded plastic products offer the precision and performance needed for today’s complex systems. At Hanna Rubber, we specialize not only in custom rubber molding and extrusion—but also in custom plastic solutions, providing expertly engineered components tailored to the unique demands of our customers.
From material selection to final production, our team guides you through every step to ensure your product meets performance expectations, environmental conditions, and budget requirements.
Understanding Molded vs. Extruded Plastic Products
Before selecting a process, it’s important to understand the differences between molded and extruded components:
- Plastic Extrusions are continuous profiles—such as tubing, channels, strips, or seals—pushed through a die to create a consistent cross-section. This process is ideal for high-volume production of parts with a uniform shape along their length.
- Plastic Molding involves shaping a material within a custom cavity or mold, producing complex, often three-dimensional parts with intricate geometry. This includes injection molding, compression molding, or transfer molding, depending on the application.
Each process serves different needs. Extrusions are ideal for weatherstripping, tubing, edge trim, and protective covers, while molded components are suited for connectors, enclosures, plugs, bumpers, and intricate mechanical parts.
How to Choose the Right Product for the Application
Selecting between a molded or extruded product depends on several application-specific factors:
- Part Geometry – Does the part require a consistent profile (extrusion) or a complex, detailed shape (molding)?
- Volume Requirements – Is the application high-volume, requiring rapid production (extrusion/injection molding), or lower volume with specialty shapes (compression molding)?
- Functionality – Will the component seal, protect, insulate, support, or carry fluids?
- Installation Method – Will the part be bonded, clipped, pressed, or fastened into place?
- Tolerance and Finish – Does the application require precise dimensions or specific surface characteristics?
Hanna Rubber’s technical team works with your CAD files, specs, or concepts to determine the ideal process and product for your application.
Selecting the Right Plastic or Elastomer
Choosing the correct material is critical to the performance, durability, and compliance of your final product. Factors to consider include:
- Environmental Exposure – Will the material face sunlight, chemicals, moisture, or extreme temperatures?
- Mechanical Stress – Does the part require flexibility, rigidity, impact resistance, or load-bearing strength?
- Compliance Requirements – Is the product used in food-grade, medical, military, or flame-retardant applications?
- Color, Texture, and Finish – Are aesthetic characteristics or branding considerations important?
Common materials include PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, acetal, and TPU, as well as elastomers like EPDM, neoprene, nitrile, TPE, and silicone. Each has a distinct set of properties suited to specific uses—and our experts at Hanna Rubber help you navigate this selection to get it right the first time.
Why Hanna Rubber Is Your Trusted Technical Partner
What sets Hanna Rubber apart is not just our ability to supply custom molded and extruded components—but our deep technical expertise, collaborative approach, and access to a network of specialized manufacturing partners.
Here’s what you can expect when working with us:
- Engineering Support – Our team helps you translate your design into a functional, cost-effective part that meets your application requirements.
- Material Knowledge – With decades of experience in plastics and elastomers, we help you make informed material decisions that optimize performance and longevity.
- Custom Manufacturing Capabilities – From prototype to production, we handle both short-run specialty projects and high-volume production with tight tolerances and consistent quality.
- Reliable Lead Times and Service – We understand how critical these parts are to your production—and we prioritize fast, dependable delivery.
Let’s Build the Right Component—Together
Whether you need a custom extruded seal, an overmolded connector, or a precision-engineered plastic component, Hanna Rubber has the tools, knowledge, and resources to bring your design to life. From design consultation to finished product, we’re here to help at every step.
Contact Hanna Rubber today to discuss your next custom plastic or elastomer project—and discover what’s possible when technical expertise meets customer-focused service.