What is mandrel forming?
Mandrel forming parts is a multi-step process. Usually a steel rod having the same OD as the ID of the finished rubber part is bent into the configuration of the desired part. Uncured rubber with an ID similar to that of the OD of the steel mandrel is extruded and cut to a somewhat longer length than the end part. The uncured rubber hose is put over the steel mandrel and then cured in an autoclave (cure-time). Parts are then removed from the mandrel, cleaned from the mold release agent, and then trimmed to length.