A Customer Success Story: Custom Manufactured Load Bearing Pads


Recently, Canada Rubber Group Inc. (CRGI) was asked by a large engineering firm to manufacture customized load bearing pads for noise and vibration reduction. This project allowed CRGI to bring together and leverage its expertise and capabilities in materials, manufacturing, and quality assurance for the benefit of the customer and their end-users.

Load bearing pads are used extensively in bridge construction, building, and general industrial applications. The primary function of a load bearing pad is to absorb the compressive forces of loading, and isolate and absorb the destructive effects of shock and vibration. Besides servicing applications in bridge and building construction, these pads also have use within general industry, where they are used in heavy machinery and equipment applications.

For this particular project, CRGI had to create finished load bearing pad where 7.5mm thick recycled rubber was bonded to a 3mm thick galvanized steel baseplate. The finished pads were of various sizes, rectangular in shape, and with radiused corners designed to disperse the weight that would be resting upon them.

The rubber chosen for the load bearing pad was a masticated recycled rubber designed to withstand high compressive loads and forces. To begin the manufacturing process, CRGI first had to bond the recycled rubber to a steel substrate. Using our materials expertise, we bonded the rubber onto 4-foot square steel sheets from which we would then produce the individual load bearing pads using our waterjet cutting equipment. In the bonding process, it was critical to create a high-strength bond between the rubber and steel so that the finished pad would successfully handle compressive loads and vibration.

To manufacture the finished load bearing pads, CRGI used its waterjet cutting process to create individual pads from the steel sheets containing the bonded rubber. The CNC capability of our waterjet equipment allowed our operators to nest parts and achieve the highest material yields for the customer, while maintaining tight conformity to tolerances and specifications. The high precision and control of waterjet cutting also enabled the intricate cutting and hole placements required to produce the finished plate.

In this project, CRGI was able to successfully leverage its experience in rubber materials together with advanced manufacturing capabilities to create a successful customer outcome. Together with support from our supply chain partners for servicing all requirements of load bearing applications, we can provide the solution you require.

For more information about our rubber load bearing pads, please contact our sales department directly at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.