Rubber heads (rubber end caps, rubber closures) and rubber risers are critical functional components used in pressure vessels, pipelines, electrical equipment, tanks, and industrial systems. Their performance directly affects sealing reliability, pressure resistance, vibration control, and service life.
Because rubber is elastic, heat-sensitive, and often used in thick sections, the cutting method plays a decisive role. Today, water jet cutting rubber is widely recognized as one of the most reliable solutions for manufacturing high-precision rubber heads and rubber risers.
What Are Rubber Heads and Rubber Risers?
Rubber Head (Rubber End / Rubber Closure)
Rubber heads are typically installed at:
- Pipe and pressure vessel ends
- Electrical enclosures and housings
- Industrial tanks and containers
They are designed to provide:
- Accurate dimensional fit
- Stable sealing under pressure
- Resistance to deformation and aging
Rubber Riser
Rubber risers are commonly used in:
- Electrical and relay manufacturing
- Casting and molding systems
- Shock-absorbing and positioning structures
Their main functions include:
- Guiding or buffering materials
- Absorbing vibration and mechanical stress
- Maintaining alignment in assemblies
Both rubber heads and risers are functional industrial parts, not decorative components. Accuracy, edge quality, and material integrity are essential.
Why Water Jet Cutting Is Ideal for Rubber Components
Cold Cutting Without Material Damage
Water jet cutting rubber is a cold process, meaning:
- No heat-affected zone
- No burning, melting, or hardening
- No toxic fumes
This preserves the original properties of rubber materials such as NBR, EPDM, silicone, neoprene, natural rubber, and polyurethane, which is especially important for sealing and electrical insulation.
High Precision and Clean Edges
Waterjet cutting delivers:
- Smooth, burr-free cutting edges
- Consistent verticality
- High repeatability for batch production
Rubber heads and risers cut by waterjet can often be installed directly without secondary trimming, reducing labor cost and assembly risk.
Reliable Cutting of Thick Rubber
Many industrial rubber heads and risers are made from thick rubber blocks. Water jet cutting is well suited for:
- Thin rubber sheets (2–10 mm)
- Medium thickness rubber (20–40 mm)
- Thick rubber components (50–100 mm and above)
Even at greater thicknesses, waterjet cutting maintains stable geometry and edge quality.
Bevel Cutting for Thick Rubber Heads Using 5-Axis Waterjet
In pressure-related applications, some thick rubber heads require beveled edges (坡口) rather than straight cuts. Beveled rubber heads provide:
- Tighter contact with pipes or tubes
- Improved sealing performance
- Better pressure resistance
Using an AC 5-axis waterjet system with ±75° rotation, bevel cutting can be accurately applied to rubber components:
- Precise control of bevel angle
- Uniform cutting along curved profiles
- Stronger mechanical fit between rubber head and pipe
Compared with straight-cut rubber heads, beveled rubber heads offer:
- More secure installation
- Reduced leakage risk
- Higher resistance to internal pressure
This capability is particularly valuable for pipelines, pressure vessels, and heavy-duty sealing systems.
Proven Industrial Application: Rubber Riser Cutting for Relay Manufacturing
Water jet cutting rubber is already used in real industrial production.
In the following case, a Chinese relay manufacturer uses a waterjet system to cut rubber risers and rubber ends. The finished rubber parts perfectly match the required dimensions, with clean edges and no deformation, allowing direct assembly without rework.
▶ Watch the actual cutting process:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eGP5SDC1smQ
This real application demonstrates:
- Dimensional consistency
- Clean cutting quality
- Suitability for industrial electrical components
Such real-world usage supports the reliability of water jet cutting for functional rubber parts.
Suitable Rubber Materials for Water Jet Cutting
Water jet cutting is compatible with most industrial rubber materials, including:
- Natural Rubber (NR)
- Nitrile Rubber (NBR)
- EPDM
- Silicone Rubber
- Neoprene (CR)
- Polyurethane (PU)
The process does not compromise elasticity, chemical resistance, or insulation performance.
- Typical Applications of Water Jet Cut Rubber Heads & Risers
- Rubber heads for pressure vessels and pipelines
- Beveled rubber heads for high-pressure sealing
- Rubber risers for electrical and relay components
- Industrial sealing and buffering elements
- Custom rubber end parts and replacement components
Water Jet Cutting vs Other Rubber Cutting Methods
| Cutting Method | Limitations |
| Laser Cutting | Burns rubber, hardened edges, fumes |
| Die Cutting | High tooling cost, poor flexibility |
| CNC Knife Cutting | Limited thickness, edge distortion |
| Water Jet Cutting | Cold process, high precision, thick & bevel cutting capable |
Pricing & Technical Consultation
If your project involves rubber heads, rubber risers, or thick rubber sealing components, especially with requirements such as:
- Tight dimensional tolerances
- Thick rubber materials
- 5-axis bevel cutting
- Customized drawings or small batches
Direct communication with a waterjet sales and technical team helps ensure feasibility, accuracy, and cost efficiency.
Contact waterjet sales for pricing and technical consultation:
https://apwwaterjet.com/water-jet-sale-contact-apw/
By discussing your rubber material, thickness, sealing structure, and pressure requirements, a suitable cutting solution can be evaluated more efficiently.
For manufacturing rubber heads and rubber risers, water jet cutting provides:
- Cold, non-destructive processing
- High precision and clean edges
- Strong capability for thick rubber
- Advanced 5-axis bevel cutting for improved sealing and pressure resistance
Backed by real industrial applications and proven cutting principles, water jet cutting rubber is a reliable, production-ready solution for high-performance rubber components.
