Finding the right custom gasket manufacturer is crucial for the success of your project. It’s important to choose a partner who can turn your ideas into reality with precision and expertise. Unfortunately, many clients looking for gasket manufacturers end up choosing a lackluster option. If you’re new to the custom manufacturing industry, how will you know which company to trust? Keep reading to learn some of the key attributes you should look for in your manufacturing partner.
Your Gasket Manufacturer Should Provide Several Material Choices
Working with a company with access to many different types of gasketing materials is of utmost importance. After all, you don’t want to go with a gasket provider who doesn’t specialize in the material you’re trying to have manufactured.
When placing an order for custom gaskets, it’s also important to consider the manufacturer’s ability to access or source materials in a timely manner. To ensure a quick turnaround time, you should discuss turnaround times with potential partners. Ideally, you would want a custom gasket manufacturer that has a wide range of readily available materials at their disposal.
At American Flexible Products, we craft your part from top-sourced rubbers, foams, silicones, and more, all based on your product’s specific uses and environments.
Some of those gasketing materials include the following:
- PORON Urethane
- BISCO Silicone
- Open-Cell Foam
- Closed-Cell Sponge
- Rubbers
- Plastics
- 3M Materials
- Neoprene
Your Partner Should Have Extensive Custom Gasketing Expertise
If you were in need of legal assistance, you wouldn’t seek counsel from someone who has never passed the Bar Exam, would you? When choosing a gasket manufacturer, look for a partner with extensive expertise and the ability to provide guidance and assistance with your needs.
At American Flexible Products, we pride ourselves on providing top-notch materials, guidance, and support. We’ll work closely with you to determine the ideal gasket solution for your specific needs, considering factors such as efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Our goal is to ensure that the gasket material you select meets or exceeds all application requirements.
During our initial consultation, we’ll cover all of the important details, including the following:
- Ozone and UV – Gaskets can be degraded by UV and ozone, as these environmental factors have the ability to break down carbon bonds.
- Pressure – When selecting gasket materials, it’s crucial to take into account the amount of pressure that will be applied, as excess pressure can cause gaskets to deform.
- Electromagnetic Interference – Companies that produce industrial electronics, consumer electronics, automotive components, and aerospace parts are obligated to comply with Federal EMI regulations. Proper control of EMI radiation is necessary in such cases.
- Media – When selecting a gasket, it’s important to think about the type of media it will come into contact with. Chemicals can affect both the functional properties and structural integrity of the gasket, so it’s crucial to consider issues like temperature and how it can impact chemical resistance.
Consider a Manufacturer’s Cutting Capabilities
Selecting the right custom manufacturing partner is critical for your success, and it’s important to consider their capability to fulfill your requirements not only for the present but also for the future. It makes sense, then, to choose a partner who possesses diverse gasket-cutting capabilities not only for today but for tomorrow, as well.
At American Flexible Products, we know that your gaskets and seals need to fit unique design specs. That’s why each one of your parts is fabricated directly from our materials and your design—never an off-the-shelf product. Our experts have the ability to process and shape your custom gaskets and seals using cutting techniques such as:
- Kiss Cutting
- Die Cutting
- Laser Cutting
- Lamination
- Splitting
- Slitting
- Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs)
Ability to Work with Electrical Enclosure Gaskets
Not every gasket manufacturer is interested in producing these gaskets, but they’re necessary for safety. Unfortunately, to ensure the safety of your electrical components, it’s not enough to rely solely on surge protectors. That’s why AFP offers electrical enclosure gaskets and seals that are specially designed to keep water, air, oil, dust, and debris away from your electrical parts.
We also pay attention to the appearance and aesthetics of the materials used to create an appealing overall design. Our engineers work diligently to meet NEMA and UL certification requirements, as well as EMI and RFI considerations and environmental safety regulations.
An Experienced and Trustworthy Gasket Partner at AFP Awaits
If you’re still looking for a reliable gasket manufacturing partner, look no further than American Flexible Products. Our engineers specialize in customized service and can help you with everything from material selection to dimensioning to added features like lamination and pressure-sensitive adhesives. Give us a call today to send us your design specs or to get questions answered by our engineers.
