(Header Photo Courtesy of Saint Gobain Tape Solutions) 

PVC gasketing foams are closed-cell, highly conformable sealing materials that can prevent water, dirt, and air infiltration. The variety of densities and thicknesses make these products the “go-to” sealing solution for construction, automotive, transportation, and industrial applications. This blog post will help you think about foam density and thickness to get the most cost effective sealing solution for your application. 

Density Considerations

PVC gasketing foams typically come in densities ranging from 6 -19 pounds per cubic foot. The lower end of the density range (usually 6-7 pounds per cubic foot) are the softer foams that are easy to compress. This makes them useful for sealing thin gauge materials. The force needed to compress these lower densities 25% of their thickness will range from 1.4 psi up to 3 psi. Typical applications include suspended ceilings, flashing, and acoustical partitions. 

The medium density foams are typically in the 9-11 pound per cubic foot range. The force to compress this density range 25% will be around 3.5 – 6.5 psi. Since these foams are more robust, they can be used to seal exterior wall panels, truck cab and body seals, and appliances.

The higher end of the density range, 15-19 pound per cubic foot, offer superior abrasion resistance and vibration damping capabilities. The force to compress this density range is typically 7-14 psi. The firmness of these foams enable them to be used for concrete forms, water tank seals, and export container seals.

Thickness

The lower density foams are typically offered in thicknesses from 1/8” to 3/4”. The medium densities from 1/16” to 3/8” and the high density foams from 1/16” up to 1/4″. 

To determine which thickness you need, you first need to understand the planarity of the surfaces you’re trying to seal. Surfaces that vary more in flatness need thicker foams to fill the gaps. Tighter tolerances in flatness permit the use the thinner foams.

The next variable to understand is how much you need to compress the foam. If you only compress the foam by 15% of its’ thickness, you can seal out dust but not water or air. If you compress the foam to 30% of its’ thickness, you then seal out water, air, and dust. If you compress the foam more than 60%, you can begin to damage the cell structure of the foam and this is not recommended. The following table is an easy way to determine the thickness needed:

                                    (Table courtesy of Saint Gobain Tape Solutions)

PVC gasketing foams are an economical way to seal out dust, air, and water. These foams are offered in low, medium, and high densities with the force needed to compress the foam increasing as density increases. Choosing the right density and thickness is critical to achieving a successful seal. Want to know more about PVC sealing foams? Contact Tom Brown, Inc at www.tombrowninc.com

As automation in manufacturing grows, one overlooked but highly efficient product format that supports this trend is spooled tape products. Whether it’s adhesive tapes, electrical wires, or any other material, this method of packaging offers advantages that contribute to improved productivity, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. In this blog post, we will delve into the benefits of spooling tape products and highlight the advantages they bring. 

1. Enhanced Efficiency: Spooled tape (also referred to as “level winding” or “traverse winding”) significantly enhances operational efficiencies. Spooling is a process where multiple rolls of tape are spliced together and wound onto a common core to create a format similar to fishing line or sewing thread. The significant increase in length reduces changeovers and keeps the production line running smoothly. 
2. Space Optimization: Spools present a significant advantage in terms of space optimization since multiple rolls are consolidated into one spool. 
3. Cost-Effectiveness: The spooling process can contribute to cost savings in several ways:

• Reduced changeover time
• Longer run time per spool and higher throughput
• More material per spool than traditional pancake rolls

Common types of tapes that can be spooled

1. Double coated foam tapes
2. Double coated film and tissue tapes
3. Single coated foam and film tapes

Spool Parameters

It’s important to discuss the “put up” or spool configuration with your supplier to make sure the spools work as intended.

The first thing you typically discuss is the required width of the tape and the requested length of the spool. This discussion usually goes hand-in-hand with the core diameter and spool width. The most common core diameters for spooling tapes are 3” or 6”. Spool widths can vary greatly, with  6”-12” wide spool packages as the most common.

The thickness of the tape, the spool width, and the machine’s capabilities are three factors that influence how long the spool can be. The thinner the material, the more tape you can put on the spool. A 3” ID core can usually be wound with longer lengths. With a 6” core, you sacrifice a little length, but the spool package can be a little easier to handle. 

For example, a 1/16” double coated foam tape can be spooled on a 7”-10” width spool with anywhere from 2,500- 4,700 ft depending on the three factors mentioned above.

By adjusting the “pitch” – the distance between the adjacent winds of tape – and the “dwell” – how long the traversing head stays on the edge prior to making the next pass or layer – you can create different types of spools:

• Normal
• Pineapple
• Pancake
• Fixed Lobing
• Cyclic
• Step Pack

Spooled tape products offer a multitude of advantages that enhance productivity, convenience, and cost-effectiveness across industries. From streamlined operations and easy dispensing, to space optimization, the benefits of spooled tapes are undeniable. By integrating spooled tape products into a manufacturing line, businesses can unlock efficiency, minimize waste, and create a more organized work environment. So, if you’re looking for an effective solution to streamline your tape applications, consider spooled tape products and contact Tom Brown, Inc today. www.tombrowninc.com

In manufacturing, custom die cutting provides numerous advantages compared to out-of-the-box solutions. When considering manufacturing solutions, pressure-sensitive die cut parts are easy to use, versatile, consistent and cost-effective. Pressure-sensitive die cut parts are an adhesive product that can be used in a variety of applications, from automotive, to appliances, as well as electronics and other consumer goods. Cut from a roll of pressure-sensitive tape or label material using flatbed, rotary or digital die cutting methods. Technological advancements in adhesives have made custom die cutting easier and more cost-effective than ever.

Advantages

There are numerous advantages to using pressure-sensitive die cut parts in your manufacturing or production processes. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits custom die cutting can bring to your processes:

1. Easy to use: Pressure-sensitive custom die cut parts are very easy to use. They can be easily applied by hand or by using automatic dispensing systems. This makes them an effective choice for high-volume production environments.
2. Versatility in materials: Pressure-sensitive die cut parts can be used for a variety of applications, from bonding and sealing to cushioning and insulation. A wide range of materials, including foams, films, foils, and rubbers are available, making them suitable for many different industries.
3. Consistent quality: Pressure-sensitive die cut parts are cut from a roll of material using a die cutting machine, they provide consistent quality and accuracy from part to part in custom die cutting. This makes them ideal for applications where precision and consistency are critical.
4. Cost-effective: Pressure-sensitive die cut parts are generally more cost-effective than other types of adhesive products such as liquid adhesives. They require less labor to apply and can be produced in large quantities. 
5. Improved aesthetics: Pressure-sensitive die cut parts can be customized to almost any shape or size. They can be designed to fit seamlessly into the final product, offering nearly invisible fastening and sealing. This improves the overall appearance and aesthetics of the final product.
6. Increased efficiency: Custom die cut parts can be easily applied without the need to clean up adhesive squeeze out, a common issue with using liquid adhesives. This can help to speed up production times and reduce manufacturing downtime. 

Pressure-sensitive die cut parts offer many advantages over other types of adhesive products. They are easy to use, versatile, and offer consistent quality and accuracy from part to part. If you’re looking for an adhesive product that offers these benefits, pressure-sensitive custom die cut parts are worth considering. Contact Tom Brown, Inc. today to see how we can help. www.tombrowninc.com