Custom Gaskets & Seals

Molded gaskets can be produced through injection molding, transfer molding, or compression molding. They are made by inserting rubber or another similar substrate into a precisely made mold and then curing it with heat and pressure.

Some of the benefits of choosing custom molded seals over other types of gaskets and seals include:

• Broader design flexibility. The gasket molding process easily accommodates designs that would be difficult or impossible to produce with other seal making processes. For example, it can produce seals with complex geometries, such as those with varying cross-sections and thicknesses across their lengths.
• Tighter dimensional tolerances. Compared to die cut gaskets, molded gaskets can achieve tighter tolerances with regard to thickness. This quality is important in mated part assemblies with strict stack-up height requirements.
• Lower risk of leakage. Since molded gaskets do not have spliced joints, they are less likely to experience unintended leak paths.

Industries that commonly utilize molded gaskets in their parts and products include:

• Automotive
• Construction
• Consumer products
• Electronics
• Foodservice
• HVAC
• Marine
• Medical
• Railroad Tank Cars

As suggested by the name, lathe cut gaskets are produced with a lathe. The process involves inserting a rubber tube into a mandrel and turning the mandrel on a high-speed lathe unit. The lathe enables the material to be quickly and precisely cut into gaskets.

Some of the benefits of choosing custom lathe cut gaskets over other types of gaskets and seals include:

• Faster processing speeds. The lathe cutting process produces precise gaskets faster than many other gasket making processes, especially when an automated lathe is used.
• Greater structural stability. Lathe cut gaskets are able to maintain their shape and design even when subjected to continuous stress.
• Higher material-to-product yield. This gasket making process uses nearly 100% of the material, resulting in a higher product yield at a lower material cost.

Common applications for lathe cut gaskets include:

• Electric transformers
• Filters
• Food processing equipment
• HVAC systems
• Vacuum sweepers
• Water wells
• Other machinery needing static or radial seals

Extruded gaskets are made by forcing uncured rubber or other elastomeric materials through a die with the desired cross-sectional shape. The material is then cured to ensure it holds its shape and cut to achieve the proper length.

Some of the benefits of choosing custom extruded seals over other types of gaskets and seals include:

• Wider shape availability. Extruded seals can be made in a variety of shapes, ranging from simple to complex. While many standard dies are readily available, the seal extrusion process also enables manufacturers to create a custom plate to accommodate highly specialized needs.
• Lower material waste. The gasket extrusion process produces less waste than other seal making processes.
• Greater cost-efficiency. The production costs for extruded gaskets are typically lower than those of other types of gaskets in a similar volume.

Many industries rely on extruded gaskets for their parts and products, including the following:

• Aerospace
• Appliances
• Construction
• Electronics
• Food processing and production
• Lighting
• Manufacturing
• Power generation and storage
• Transportation

Spliced gaskets typically begin as long extruded strips. The strips are cut, and the ends are joined together using an adhesive or heat vulcanized to provide a joint that is as strong as the material.

Some of the benefits of choosing custom spliced gaskets over other types of gaskets and seals include:

• Faster processing speed. The gasket splicing process is quick, which enables manufacturers to produce high volumes of spliced gaskets in a short period of time as opposed to molding.
  Easier accommodation of complex cross-section requirements. Manufacturers can use finite elemental analysis (FEA) to design complex cross-sections that meet the closure force requirements.

Examples of common applications for spliced gaskets include:

• Automotive assemblies
• Chemical and food processing equipment
• Door and window seals
• Electronics and consumer goods
• Gas and oil equipment
• Power generation systems

Metal gaskets are manufactured from metals or metal alloys, such as brass, steel, or titanium. They are typically cut or formed from large sheets.

Some of the benefits of choosing custom metal gaskets over other types of gaskets and seals include:

• Better durability. Metal gaskets are generally fabricated for applications where exposure to strong chemicals, high pressures, or extreme pressure is likely.
• Higher sealing quality. These gaskets can form higher-quality surface seals than their non-metallic counterparts.

Typical applications for metal gaskets include:

• Compressors
• Engines
• Heat exchangers
• Offshore oil and gas pipelines
• Pumps
• Turbines
• Valves

Die cut gaskets can be produced using a variety of die cutting methods, such as steel rule die cutting and rotary die cutting. All of these processes rely on specialized tools known as dies, which cut the individual gaskets from sheet material.

Some of the benefits of choosing die cut gaskets over other types of gaskets and seals include:

• Broader design freedom. Die cut gaskets can be made in more unique shapes than lathe cut gaskets.
• Tighter tolerances. The die cutting process can create components to very tight tolerances.

Applications for die cut gaskets include:

• Automobiles
• Bearings
• Controls
• Medical devices
• Plumbing systems
• Pumps
• Valves