Simtec, automotive supplier introduce new sealing part

Miramar, Florida — Simtec Silicone Parts LLC has expanded its product base along with its reach with the introduction of a new sealing component.

The custom manufacturer of LSR parts and high precision LSR two-shot components partnered with a tier 1 automotive supplier to produce the new liquid silicone rubber two-shot automotive sealing part.

They launched full production of the product in February with distribution planned for companies in North America, Europe and Asia, where the tier 1 parts maker has production operations, a Simtec spokeswoman said.

According to the spokeswoman, the customer is a leading parts and components supplier for the automotive industry.

Components Simtec is producing in the US are supplied to multiple locations on the three continents, she said.

She did not name the supplier due to a confidentiality agreement between the two companies.

Simtec produces the component using high cavitation 48+48 cavity LSR and polyamide two-shot tools.

In the process, LSR is moulded directly into the polyamide in the same tool where the polyamide was originally moulded.

Each time the tool closed, 48 polyamide parts are produced and an additional 48 parts are over-moulded with LSR, the company said.

“This component was a challenge due to its extreme tight tolerances (in the hundredth of a millimetre) and the fast time-to-market requirements,” Simtec President Enrique Camacho said.

The new sealing product “is part of an incipient and growing demand for features that assist in preventing accidents,” a spokeswoman said. “Consumer/driver behaviour and fast moving regulations are pushing the automotive industry to bring self-driving cars to market.

“This has required the development of new systems that detect people, pets and moving — as well as stationary — objects and alert the driver of the obstacle while automatically manoeuvring the vehicle around it.”

She said those types of systems require cameras, sensors and numerous safety features and use components manufactured by Simtec.

Based in Miramar, Simtec manufactures LSR and LSR two-shot components for the automotive, medical device, cosmetic, consumer goods, food and beverage, appliance, technology, industrial and home entertainment industries globally.