Seal & Gasket

The application of Sealant and Gasket beads covers a broad range of applications – from door gaskets on electrical enclosures, to a broad range of automotive and aerospace applications.

The integrity of a seal or gasket is often key to the quality and longevity of a product, so the application is very important – whether it be applied by an operator, or automatically by a cartesian or robot system.

Depending on the size and complexity of the part, different levels of automation and systems are required:

• Simple single-axis linear actuators are used for simple linear bead applications, like applying a bead of seal or adhesive to a Motorhome Widow Hinge Profile.
• 2-axis and 3-axis (cartesian/XY or XYZ-axis) are used for two-dimensional/flat applications, like applying a gasket seal around an enclosure door.
• 5-axis (Robot or Robot + Trunnion combinations) are used for complex parts with multiple curves and faces, like an automotive or train light cluster.

With the automatic application of Sealant and Gasket materials, synchronization between the dispense output and the travel speed of the moving axis is important to maintain a consistent bead profile (cross-section).

Form-in-place Foam Gaskets require very precise dosing and mixing of the resins and additives to create the right reaction, and give the desired bead profile and properties.

Often parts that require Sealant or Gasket are high-volume parts and the equipment for the application of the Sealant or Gasket is a part of the larger production process/line, therefore integration and communication with other equipment are considered from the outset.