Qualifications of a High-Level Custom Gasket Manufacturer

What does your ideal gasket manufacturer look like? 

Choosing the best gasket manufacturer depends on your current stage of project development and the critical aspects of your design. 

Strouse has helped develop hundreds of custom gasketing solutions, so we can confidently point out the “good and bad signs” when it comes to finding a manufacturer. 

Once you learn what qualifies a good gasket manufacturer, you’ll have a solid framework for choosing the perfect business to partner with. 

What Qualifies a High-Level Gasket Manufacturer?

A trustworthy and experienced gasket manufacturer will ask questions, build your product in the desired time frame, and maintain the path toward eventual product growth. This manufacturer consistently: 

1. CREATES YOUR PART WITH THE RIGHT TOLERANCES—EVERY TIME

First things first—you need a gasket manufacturer who can prove they can match the tolerances you set in front of them. 

Hitting the parameters of your design tolerances can determine whether a product functions at all. High-level gasket manufacturers have the proper skills and equipment to achieve complex shapes consistently, regardless of how precise they are.

That said, unnecessarily tight tolerances can significantly increase the cost of a project, so engineers often double-check tight tolerances to ensure their clients get the best part value. 

Ordering samples is an excellent method of determining whether your manufacturer can match the tolerances in question. However, not every converter uses their production process for samples due to expensive tooling. So, while it is a good indicator, it might not tell the whole story. 

2. BUILDS FOR THE PRODUCT’S PURPOSE

Making the part shown in your drawing is one thing, but adjusting the drawing to better solve the product’s purpose is what sets excellent gasket manufacturers apart. 

Knowing the gasket’s purpose can make a massive difference in the quality of your product. A good manufacturer will ask questions about the purpose of your gasket or the environment it’s used in so they don’t miss out on critical adjustments. 

Eg.: Where are your gaskets going? Are they meant to seal out air or water? Do they need chemical resistance? What temperatures will they be exposed to?

Understanding the design’s purpose allows manufacturers to make adaptable suggestions on gasket material and other alterations that fit the application. 

Imagine you placed an order but later realized that the gaskets must be resistant to petroleum. A great gasket manufacturer would help you find a substitute material that is resistant to petroleum while remaining close enough to the original that it doesn’t considerably affect the production process. 

3. PRIORITIZES PART APPLICATION

What’s the point in ordering components if they’re impossible to use? 

In automated assembly processes, factors like adhesive liner strength or part shape can make it difficult for machines and operators to remove components in the correct order during production runs.  

An experienced gasket manufacturer will ask application-based questions about the form you want your part in (sheet or roll), discuss the type of liner used, or your planned assembly process. They might even suggest additional part features like tabs that can reduce labor costs and increase output and efficiency at a high volume. 

Disqualifications for a Custom Gasket Manufacturer 

Just as there are good manufacturers to discover, there are also those you should avoid.

“ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL” GASKETS

Unlike curious manufacturers who inquire about your design and the rationale behind specific measurements or material choices, some gasket manufacturers use a “one-size-fits-all” approach. 

These manufacturers build gaskets without considering the implications of their choices for customers, which could significantly impact your production line if the gaskets don’t fit into your production process.

The first sign of a “one-size fits all” gasket manufacturer is the scope of their material selection. Are they willing to work with a large range of materials, and/or open to pursuing newer or more challenging ones? The best manufacturers have experience with many materials, know enough to make recommendations, and will suggest less-expensive alternatives when the opportunity arises. 

LOW ATTENTION TO DETAIL 

If your gasket manufacturer doesn’t ask you ANY questions, you should be very concerned. These types of manufacturers simply quote drawings and don’t help their customers find the best value. 

It’s essential to review factors like product application before entering production, and a lack of such indicates that your manufacturer might see product usage as a low priority. 

Finding the Right Gasket Manufacturer For Your Project

At the end of the day, you want to use someone who demonstrates a full understanding of your application. If they don’t bother asking about it, be afraid—very afraid. 

As previously mentioned, the technical side of things will weigh the most heavily on your mind: does this manufacturer have the capability to build my part?

By confirming their ability to make the part and seeing that your gasket manufacturer is actively interested in learning about its purpose (not to mention, offering suggestions to optimize your design for production), you’ll have some key indicators that they're a trustworthy source. 

Good luck on your quest to find the best gasket manufacturer. As one ourselves, we’d be happy to help you evaluate your custom cut gaskets for production. 

For more information, you can also read more about our gasketing and sealing applications in our Learning Center.

 

Originally published: August 11, 2023