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Die Cut Gaskets, Gasket Die Cutting, Die Cut Pads |
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Stockwell Elastomerics is a leading die cut gaskets manufacturer with a wide range of gasket die cutting capabilities used on elastomeric materials to make custom die cut gaskets and pads. Pad and gasket die cutting capabilities are supported by the following equipment:
(4) High Speed Preco Die Cutters
(1) Continuous feed CNC die cutting unit
(1) Manual Beam press
(1) Traveling head press
(2) Hytronic Clicker press
(3) Single Knife Slitters
The Right Tool for the Job
There are several pieces of equipment and various methods that can be utilized to die cut gaskets and pads. Understanding these capabilities can be advantageous to a designer in order to evaluate manufacturability and to minimize manufacturing cost. Slight design modification up front can save thousands of dollars in production costs down the road.
High Speed Preco
The Preco units are typically used for relatively small, thin die cut gaskets that have mid-level volume (100K – 500K per year). Die cut gasket part sizes generally range from 0.25” square or round to 12” square or round. The Preco units are also capable of “Kiss cutting” gasket or pads that have adhesive one side. Kiss cutting is when the die blade cuts through the gasket material into, but not through, the adhesive liner. Once parts are kiss cut they are wound on a roll for shipment.
Advantages: Fast, most cost effective means of cutting thin simple parts, capability to kiss cut parts
Limitations: Can’t cut large parts, edge deformity on thicker materials, can’t cut part with adhesive 2 sides
Continuous Feed CNC Gasket Die Cutting Unit
The CNC cutting unit is typically utilized to die cut mid to large sized gaskets. With its optimizing software, continuous feed belt, and accelerated hit rate, the CNC unit is used for larger gaskets with mid-level volumes (100,000 – 500,000 per year).
Advantages: Fast, cost effective for mid-large volume large die cut gaskets, has continuous feed
Limitations: Longer setup time, edge deformity on thicker materials, some material limitations
Beam Presses , Manual and Traveling Head
The parts typically cut on the manual and traveling head beam presses are similar to those cut on the CNC unit (mid to large die cut gaskets), but at lower volumes.
Advantages: Minimal setup time, cost effective for low volume runs of large die cut gaskets
Limitations: Manual feed, edge deformity on thicker materials, some material limitations
Hytronic Press
The parts typically cut on the Hytronic presses are similar to those cut on the Preco unit (small to mid-sized die cut gaskets), but low volumes.
Advantages: Minimal setup time, cost effective for very low volume runs of small die cut gaskets
Limitations: Manual feed, edge deformity on thicker materials
The water jet can cut most rubber gasket and pad materials very accurately.
Advantages: Cuts very accurately, can cut complex parts, excellent for cutting high quality parts without costly cutting dies, quick leat-time
Limitations: Longer cycle time, least cost effective means of cutting simple parts
Slitting Units
The slitting units are used to slice a roll of material. A sheet of material is rolled onto a 3” diameter core and presented to the slitter where it is cut much like a loaf of bread. In many cases this roll is then sent to the Preco unit and “Straight blade” cut on a specific progression, the resulting part is a rectangle or square. The method of first slitting a roll then straight blade cutting is usually referred to as “Progression Cutting”.
Considerations For Cutting Gaskets and Pads
- Geometry – parts with thin walls may not die cut well, may require Water Jet cutting.
- Material Type – certain materials are susceptible to deformation - which may or may not be acceptable depending on the particular application.
- Material Thickness – the thickness in conjunction with the durometer plays a significant roll in how well the material cuts or if it can be die cut at all.
- Tolerances – by the nature of soft good materials, the tolerances need to be “looser” than sheet metal tolerances. Parts requiring tight tolerances may need solid steel tooling or water jet cutting vs. steel rule cutting.
- Volume – large volume parts are best designed with Preco or CNC cutting in mind for cost savings.
- Packing and Shipping Method – typically manufacturing cells prefer parts to be packed in a certain fashion whether the parts are in roll form, cut through, on strip, etc… Considering packing method before the final design can contribute to significant cost saving in manufacturing time.
Die Cut Gasket Applications
Stockwell Elastomerics specializes in die cutting adhesive gaskets for many applications. The following are some examples of custom die cut gaskets and their uses:
Contact Stockwell Elastomerics, Inc.
Contact Us for further assistance with your custom die cut gasket and die cut pad needs.
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