Role Summary
Lead Engineer – Oil Seal Mould Design (Compression Moulding) is responsible for the design, development, and optimization of compression moulds for radial shaft seals. The role ensures precision lip formation, optimal rubber flow, minimal flash, and high cavitation efficiency, while supporting production, quality, and tool room teams for consistent manufacturing performance.
Key Responsibilities
1. Compression Mould Design
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Design single and multi-cavity compression moulds for oil seals (TC, SC, VC, DC, cassette seals)
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Define:
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Cavity layout and parting line
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Flash control systems (flash land, overflow grooves)
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Venting design for air entrapment elimination
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Core and cavity alignment mechanisms
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Ensure uniform rubber flow and pressure distribution across all cavities
2. Product Engineering Integration
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Interpret product drawings with focus on:
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Lip geometry accuracy (critical sealing edge)
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Spring groove and case fit tolerances
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Rubber-to-metal bonding interface
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Incorporate shrinkage factors for elastomers (NBR, HNBR, FKM, ACM)
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Optimize designs for minimal distortion and concentricity control
3. Process Optimization (Compression Moulding)
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Design moulds suitable for:
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Preform loading (strip / slug-based feeding)
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Controlled material flow under compression
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Optimize for:
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Cycle time reduction
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Balanced filling across cavities
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Minimal air traps and knit lines
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Ensure compatibility with hydraulic compression presses
4. Tool Room & Manufacturing Coordination
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Collaborate with tool room on:
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CNC machining & EDM detailing
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Surface finishing (mirror polish in lip area)
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Heat treatment and wear resistance coatings
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Ensure adherence to tight tolerances and surface finish requirements
5. Trials, Validation & Troubleshooting
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Lead mould trials and validation runs
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Diagnose and resolve issues such as:
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Excess flash / mismatch
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Short moulding / underfill
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Knit lines / flow marks
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Bonding failures (metal-rubber interface)
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Implement corrective actions using 8D / root cause analysis
6. Continuous Improvement
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Drive:
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Cavitation improvement (increase output per cycle)
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Tool life enhancement
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Scrap reduction and yield improvement
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Standardize best practices for:
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Different oil seal profiles
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High-volume vs low-volume tooling
7. Documentation & Standardization
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Maintain:
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Mould design standards and checklists
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Tool drawings, revision history, and validation reports
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Develop design guidelines specific to compression moulding
Required Skills & Competencies
Technical Expertise
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Deep knowledge of:
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Compression mould design for oil seals
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Rubber flow behavior under compression
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Flash control and venting techniques
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Strong understanding of:
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Lip sealing function and geometry sensitivity
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Metal case design and phosphating effects
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Bonding systems (e.g., Chemlok adhesives)
Software Skills
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CAD: SolidWorks / Autocad
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CAM exposure (preferred)
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Basic simulation knowledge (rubber flow analysis – advantage)
Manufacturing Knowledge
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Hands-on understanding of:
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Compression moulding presses
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Preform preparation methods
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Post-curing requirements
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Experience with tool room practices and machining limitations
Analytical Skills
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Strong problem-solving capability
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GD&T expertise and tolerance stack-up analysis
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Ability to correlate design vs shop-floor performance
Experience & Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Diploma in die and tool design
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6–10 years of experience in oil seal mould design (compression moulding focus)
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Experience in automotive sealing / rubber component manufacturing
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
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First-time-right mould approval rate
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Reduction in mould-related defects (flash, short fill, bonding issues)
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Cycle time and productivity improvement
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Tool life and maintenance frequency
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Scrap and rejection reduction
Preferred Industry Background
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Oil seal / radial shaft seal manufacturing
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Rubber & elastomer components
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Automotive Tier-1 / Tier-2 suppliers
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Precision tooling & mould design
