Rubber pad forming is an excellent tooling solution for prototyping designs or low-volume production runs. Also called rubber press forming, this process uses hydraulic pressure and rubber pads to press blank sheet metal into desired metal shapes and parts. Rubber pad forming is often used for manufacturing metal diaphragms and components with simple geometries.
PrecisionX Group performs rubber pad forming with in-house machine presses to produce precision metal parts and products. Contact us for more information and see what we can do for you.
Rubber Pad Forming and Tooling

We perform rubber pad forming with in-house machine presses to produce precision metal parts and products.
Rubber pad forming, or metal-to-rubber forming, is a specialized tooling method for stamping and forming thin sheet metal into specific shapes and precision diaphragms. The main components of a rubber press are rubber pads, which are fitted into a stable steel frame, and a press bed or form block. The form block is machined to the necessary specifications for the desired diaphragms while the rubber pads are standard flat. These components are inserted into a hydraulic press machine, and blank sheet metal is placed between them. Hydraulic operations mold the sheet metal by compressing it between the press bed and the rubber pads.
We use metal-to-rubber tooling to form parts greater than .0015 inches thick and metal-to-metal tooling for parts less than .0015 inches thick. These presses produce precision metal diaphragms at low tooling and production costs.
Rubber pad forming is highly versatile and can press a variety of thin foil metals and materials. While aluminum is one of the most common metals for rubber press forming, additional materials can range from stainless steel and titanium to specialty alloys like Haynes® and Inconel®. When selecting the best metal for a diaphragm project, the team at PrecisionX Group evaluates factors including machinability, weldability, tensile strength, and ductility. Talk to an expert to help determine the right sheet metal for your needs.
Machines & Equipment for Rubber Pad Forming
Our hydraulic presses can provide both consistent pressure and variable-controlled pressure for different applications, offering flexibility for rubber pressing operations. We operate open-back inclinable gap presses (OBI) to increase metal diaphragm production rates while maintaining quality and precision.
Rubber Pad Forming for Industrial Applications
While rubber press forming can be used to form a variety of simple geometries, it is most often used to craft precision-shaped metal diaphragms. While these metal components are found in numerous industries, they are predominantly used for aerospace applications. Metal diaphragms formed with metal-to-rubber presses for the aerospace industry can be used for:
Rubber Pad Forming Services from PrecisionX Group
PrecisionX Group is a leading manufacturer of top-quality metal components for clients in any trade. With over 300,000 sq ft of manufacturing space, The PrecisionX platform’s metal stamping and forming capabilities will provide you with the best parts.
In addition to rubber pad forming and metal-to-rubber pressing, we use various hard tooling methods and tools to shape metal into products that meet or exceed your expectations. Our trained specialists use tooling methods including:
Additional Tooling Capabilities
For high-precision metal components for any application, PrecisionX Group is your best source. We have the tools and capabilities to manufacture precisely what you need.
Explore answers to Frequently Asked Questions or contact us to learn more, and a team member will assist you. Request a quote to get started on your order today.
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