Custom Formed and Molded Rubber Hoses
As a leading custom extruder, we specialize in manufacturing formed and molded rubber hoses for a wide range of industrial applications. With over 60 years of experience, we have the industry knowledge to produce high-quality parts designed to solve complex routing and performance challenges in demanding equipment.
Manufacturing Hoses to Your Exact Specifications
We work directly with your team to ensure every hose is manufactured to your precise requirements. Our process accounts for the required hose path, the media being conveyed, internal pressures or vacuums, and any external environmental factors. As an ISO 9001:2015 registered manufacturer, we are committed to delivering a component that performs reliably in your specific application.
Common Formed Hose Applications
Our custom hoses are engineered to solve complex routing and performance challenges in demanding equipment and systems.
Automotive and Transportation Hoses (Radiator, Heater, Coolant)
We manufacture durable, form-cured EPDM hoses designed to handle the high temperatures and corrosive fluids found in the automotive and transportation industry, including heavy equipment cooling systems. Our formed radiator hoses, heater hoses, and coolant lines are designed to fit perfectly within constrained engine bays, ensuring reliable, leak-free performance.
Industrial Ducts and Vacuum Hoses
For applications requiring the transfer of air, dust, or light materials, we produce custom-formed ducts and vacuum hoses. These are designed to maintain their shape and prevent collapse under negative pressure, making them ideal for material handling systems and industrial ventilation.
Custom Silicone Hoses for High-Performance Needs
When applications involve extreme temperatures, our formed silicone hoses provide superior heat resistance and flexibility. This makes them ideal for demanding industries like aerospace, where they are commonly used for turbocharger and charge air cooler (CAC) applications, as well as for coolant lines in specialty vehicles.
High-Performance Hose Materials
The performance of your hose begins with the right material selection. We offer a range of standard and custom-formulated compounds to meet your specific needs. Material options include:
We have the capability to formulate custom compounds if one of the standard rubber formulations does not meet your requirements. Compounds and formulations are available in commercial and specification grades to meet industry and regulatory standards, including Mil Spec, FDA, NSF, USP Class VI, and industry-specific standards for smoke, flame, and toxicity.
Our Formed Hose Manufacturing Capabilities
Our 100,000 sq. ft. facility is equipped with state-of-the-art extrusion and curing equipment, providing us with the following capabilities:
- Profile sizes from 0.060"- 4.00" thick and up to 6.00" width, for a maximum area of 12.00 sq. inches
- In-house tool design and production, including extrusion, dies, splicing molds, and corner molds
- Square, oval, rectangle, and circular shapes
- Coil form, long straight lengths, form-cured lengths, and cut pieces
- A range of curing methods including continuous cure microwave, salt cure, and steam cure to provide tighter tolerances, long lengths, and shorter cure cycles.
- Precision extrusion of dense and sponge materials
- Precision cutting using a guillotine, electro-cut (lathe cut), Versa, or Thropp processes
- Precision vulcanized splicing mitered spliced or injection molded corners and joints
Value-added services, including in-line marking, notching, hole punching, slitting, metal/rubber, and plastic/rubber parts assembly.
Your Partner for Custom Hose Manufacturing
We understand that the quality of your finished product relies on the components you choose. We are committed to manufacturing your parts to the highest standards, ensuring that your Kismet component will meet or exceed your expectations. We have the capacity to handle quantities from short runs through full production runs.
Get a Quote for Your Custom Hose
Contact our team to discuss your project requirements. Provide your drawings and specifications, and we will develop a quote for a custom hose that meets your needs.
1 Neoprene® is a registered trademark of DuPont Performance Elastomers # Neoprene® is a registered trademark of DuPont Performance Elastomers for their brand of Chloroprene Elastomer; Kismet Rubber Products reserves the right to provide a chloroprene material of another manufacturer in lieu of Neoprene®.
FAQs
What is the tooling process for a new custom hose?
The tooling for a custom formed hose consists of two main components: an extrusion die and a forming mandrel. The die is a custom-machined steel plate that shapes the hose's cross-sectional profile (its inner and outer diameter). The mandrel is a rigid, shaped tool that the extruded hose is placed on for curing. This mandrel is what sets the final, permanent shape of the hose, including all its specific bends and angles. This one-time tooling investment ensures that every hose we produce for you has a precise profile and an exact, repeatable shape to fit your application perfectly.
How do I choose the correct rubber compound for my custom hose?
Selecting the right material is critical for the long-term performance of your formed hose. The ideal compound depends on factors such as operating temperature ranges, environmental exposure, and the specific fluids or gases being conveyed. Our team will review your application requirements to recommend the best standard material, such as EPDM for coolant lines or silicone for extreme heat, or we can develop a custom formulation to meet your exact needs.
What information is needed to get an accurate quote for a formed hose?
To provide the most accurate quote in a timely manner, our engineering team typically requires the following information:
- A technical drawing, print, or CAD file of the hose
- The required material (e.g., EPDM, Silicone, or a specific compound)
- Critical dimensions, including inner diameter (ID), outer diameter (OD), and wall thickness
- Key performance requirements, such as operating temperature and pressure/vacuum levels
- Estimated Annual Usage (EAU) or the required order quantity