ThadH
New Member
Posts: 2 
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Post by ThadH on Jul 27, 2015 19:05:33 GMT -5
Hi, I need to make a precise cylinder out of rubber, to be used as a bushing on an axle. It would be 2.5" long, needs to have a .5" hole drilled through the center axis, and it needs to be 1.38" OD. Is this possible with Alumilite rubber? Can I cast it in approximate dimensions and machine it to tolerance? Is it possible to drill through it? Can it be turned on a lathe? Any suggestions about getting precise dimensions with this product?
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Post by mike on Jul 28, 2015 7:18:52 GMT -5
Good Questions. Yes, the stiffer Flex series casting rubbers can be turned, drilled, and machined. How precisely becomes the issue as they will flex as pressure/tools are applied to it. I would recommend starting with the Flex 80 and if at all possible, would recommend using vacuum or pressure to eliminate air bubbles in the piece.
Mike
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Post by noahspurrier on Aug 7, 2015 3:16:01 GMT -5
Look up cryogenic machining (not to be confused with cryojet cutting). Maybe you have access to dry ice or liquid nitrogen (and know how to handle them). Chill your part until it is hard enough to machine. I've done home-brew cryogenic machining of butyl and urethane rubber at home just by chilling my parts in a freezer. This works well for drilling and sawing rubber parts. A household freezer likely does not get cold enough for most silicone rubbers; although, I never tried with the freezer temperature set as low as it would go. The hardest part is working quickly enough before the part returns to room temperature. But you have plenty of time to drill a few holes and make some cuts.
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ThadH
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by ThadH on Aug 9, 2015 14:09:00 GMT -5
That's a great idea. I'll try the freezer trick and if that doesn't work I know where to get dry ice. My part is a simple urethane cylinder, and I would only have to do a couple of light passes to true it up to round and centered.
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