Flexible materials can be cut, sheared and shaped in more ways than you may know. Splitting and slitting are some popular ways to manipulate materials in order to fabricate your custom parts.
Splitting and slitting foams, rubbers, tapes and more can give you the exact size and shape that you need for your end-use. Here are the differences between both and some common products produced by both.
Splitting
Industrial splitting is the process of shearing large, thick sheets of material into thinner sheets. When we split materials, a long steel blade cuts parallel to the front of the sheet and runs evenly along the length of the material. This creates long (usually rectangular) planes.
The planes that are formed can be spun into long rolls, depending on the flexibility of the material. Split materials are often sold as rolls of rubber, rolls of plastic, and sound insulation.
We use custom-built and computer-controlled equipment to split open cell and closed cell foams to your thickness specifications. Our equipment allows us to maintain the accuracy of our splitting processes and reach your custom specifications.
Slitting
Industrial slitting involves shearing large, rolled sheets into narrower rolls. During slitting, a circular blade spins into the rolled sheet perpendicular to the center while the roll spins on a rotating shaft.
The finished products are thin cylindrical rolls. You’ll commonly see slitted products as sold as rolls of tapes, foam door seals, and decorative felts.
Our engineers slit papers, foils, plastics, rubbers, open and closed cell foams, and many other materials. Most materials we use can also be manufactured with pressure-sensitive adhesives if requested.
Splitting and Slitting Your Products
Would your part be best manufactured through splitting or slitting? Contact us today to learn more about how we shear flexible materials or to set up an order for your product.
American Flexible Products is a nation-wide converter of flexible materials—from foam to rubber to silicone and more. Every product is custom-cut and shaped to your design specs by our materials engineers. We are a 3M™ Preferred Converter, which allows us to custom fabricate 3M materials.
Call 952-368-4225 or fill out our form below. Our material experts will help guide you through our process and give you a free quote.
