Category Archive: Blog

Choosing CGR Products for All Types of Die Cut Gaskets and Seals

Unveiling the Top Reasons to Choose CGR Products for Your Sealing Solutions

CGR Products is renowned for its commitment to quality, expertise, and innovation in the realm of gaskets, seals, and custom fabricated sealing solutions. Choosing CGR Products as your gasket provider can be pivotal for various industries and applications. Here’s why sourcing gaskets from CGR is so crucial:

Unparalleled Expertise

CGR Products boasts extensive expertise in the field of gasket manufacturing and fabrication. With decades of experience, our team possesses in-depth knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and applications across diverse industries. This expertise enables us to offer tailored solutions and recommendations to meet specific customer needs, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.

Customization and Precision

One size does not fit all when it comes to gaskets. CGR Products understands this and excels in providing customized solutions. Our commitment to precision and customization allows for the creation of gaskets that perfectly match unique specifications, ensuring a tight seal and optimal performance in various environments and applications.

Wide Range of Materials and Capabilities

CGR Products offers an extensive selection of materials suitable for different industries and applications. From rubber and foam to specialized materials like silicone, 3M VHB, and Rogers Poron, our catalog covers a broad spectrum. Additionally, our diverse manufacturing capabilities enable the production of gaskets in various shapes, sizes, and complexities, meeting the demands of even the most challenging projects.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

Quality is a hallmark of CGR Products. We adhere to stringent quality control measures throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring that each gasket meets the highest standards. Moreover, we comply with industry-specific regulations and standards, providing gaskets that are certified and suitable for use in industries with strict compliance requirements, such as automotive, and medical sectors.

Commitment to Customer Service

CGR Products prioritizes customer satisfaction. Our dedicated team works closely with clients, offering technical support, guidance, and assistance at every stage of the process, from material selection to product delivery. This commitment to exceptional customer service fosters strong, long-lasting relationships built on trust and reliability.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Staying ahead in the industry requires constant innovation and evolution. CGR Products invests in research and development, continuously exploring new materials, technologies, and manufacturing techniques to enhance gasket performance and efficiency. Our commitment to innovation ensures that customers benefit from cutting-edge solutions.

In conclusion, CGR Products stands as a leading authority in the gasket industry, offering unparalleled expertise, customization, quality, and customer service. Choosing CGR Products as your gasket provider ensures not just a product, but a partnership focused on delivering high-quality, tailored solutions that meet your specific needs and exceed expectations.

The “Real” You

Do you really know the “real” you? Almost everyone will emphatically say yes.

So, what is the “real” you? Is it what you think of yourself or is it what others think of you? If it is who you think you are, then everyone will answer the above question, yes. People can easily list the characteristics that describe themselves. However, if the real you is what others think of you, then I would suggest that most people don’t know who they are, at least to some degree. Other people must work with you, live with you, and interact with you so what they think of you is the most important thing, so I would conclude that the real you is what others think of you.

Almost everyone can list their weaknesses. But if you really felt they were weaknesses, wouldn’t you try to change them? I would say that one of my weaknesses is that I don’t live in the moment and that I am always looking for the next thing (my wife would wholeheartedly agree). However, I am quick to say that is actually a strength. After all, it makes me efficient and helps me stay ahead. Another example is my communication style. My wife thinks I am too direct, and I would say that I agree, however, do I? Actually, I think it makes me a better communicator.

Have you ever said, “That person has no idea how they negatively impact others?” What if people say that about you? That would be scary. So how do you honestly learn what other people think of you? That may seem easy, but it is almost impossible for even the most perceptive people.

One option is to ask the people that are closest to you. This can be effective, but you need to understand a few potential problems. First, this group can be biased positively or negatively because of the relationship. For example, when my kids were teenagers, they would have been very biased negatively, right boys? Close friends can be biased positively because they are “like” you, including the weaknesses. Finally, most people will not be candid. Another option is to ask a consultant. This can be effective as well if the consultant is good and uses the right assessment tools. The last option I will mention is to participate in an anonymous 360-degree assessment with your team. In this format, it is important to look for trends, not one-off opinions. I like this method the best. Before you embark on any of these options, ask yourself, are you willing to listen to the feedback with a desire to change?

In conclusion, the most important thing is that you are comfortable and happy with who you think you are! If you are, then none of this diatribe really matters. Well, I hope it was at least fun to read and made you think a little.

Have a great holiday and we have enjoyed working with all our constituents in 2023.

Open Cell vs. Closed Cell Foam: What’s the Difference?

At CGR Products, we field a lot of questions about the differences between open and closed cell foam. To address these inquiries, we’ll be comparing the two types of foam and outlining the unique benefits and properties of each.

When deciding on a material for your specific project, it’s important to understand which kind of foam will best serve your application and meet your unique requirements. The benefits of each type of foam can differ depending on your specific industry, so it’s important to fully assess each option before moving forward.

Open Cell Foam

Open cell foam is a rubber-like product made by incorporating an inflating agent, such as sodium bicarbonate, into the rubber compound; this agent gives off a gas, which expands the rubber during vulcanization.

Foam is usually classified as “open cell” when more than half of its cells are open. Common open cell materials include reticulated foam, polyurethane foam, and open cell rubber.

Some open cell foam is unique in that it operates more like a spring, easily returning to its original state after compression thanks to the unrestricted air movement and chemical makeup. Soft and breathable, open cell foam is generally more flexible and can more easily conform to sealing applications than closed cell foam. Open cell foam can also be manufactured at both high and low densities. It is less durable than closed cell options, however.

Reticulated foam is usually classified by PPI (pores per inch). 10 PPI foam would have large cell structures and allow the most flow, while 80 PPI foam would have very small cells and be more restrictive.

Closed Cell Foam

Closed cell foam is defined as a cell totally enclosed by its walls and hence not interconnecting with other cells. Closed cell foam is usually made by subjecting a rubber compound to a gas, such as nitrogen, under high pressure. This type of foam may also be made by incorporating gas-forming materials into the compound.

Closed cell foam offers a wide variety of material and density options. EPDM, neoprene, EPDM/CR/SBR, and PVC/NBR are a few common types of closed cell foams, which can range in densities from 6 lb/ft3 (soft) to 19 lb/ft3 (hard).

This type of material is ideal for sealing as it effectively reduces liquid and gas flow. Closed cell foam is also ideal for industries in which liquid resistance is critical, such as marine, HVAC, and automotive.

Learn More

CGR carries several types of open and closed cell materials, including neoprene, PVC/NBR, silicone, microcellular urethane foam (PORON®), and polyurethane foam, and we keep a wide variety in stock to reduce lead times. We can also convert foam materials as needed for your application and will work with your team to find a solution that works for your project, no matter how complex.

To learn more about foam materials and identify which type is right for your next project, download our comprehensive Chemical Compatibility Guide.

Die Cut Solutions for EV Batteries using Avery Dennison Materials

CGR Products is your go-to converter of die cut flexible materials for Electric Vehicle (EV) Batteries.   CGR Products provides solutions for thermal runaway, sealing out elements, heat shielding, gap fillers, battery cushioning, and more.  CGR Products is a leading converter to solve challenges for EV battery manufacturers.

Adhesives for Compression Pads

Avery Dennison offers pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes to bond compression pad foam that protects EV Battery cells.

Adhesives for Thermal Management

EV and battery manufacturers have strict requirements against thermal runaway events and rely on mica, ceramic fibers, and other materials for protecting cells and passengers.  Avery Dennison offers a variety of solutions for bonding these materials to cells, modules, and pack structures.

CGR Products offers lamination and die cut capabilities for these thermal management materials laminated with adhesive.  These materials can be laminated with a double coat or transfer tape to help maintain the dielectric strength.

Learn More

Avery Dennison EV Battery Portfolio includes a wide range of available bonding and protection tapes, built on multiple pressure-sensitive adhesive technologies. These are engineered to make EV batteries safer, more efficient, and easier to assemble. To learn more about Avery Dennison EV Battery Tape Solutions click Here

CGR Products will work with you during the early stages of your project to high level production volumes. We have a vast network of preferred suppliers and manufacturers with expert advice in making the right material selection.  We have 4 locations in the USA with over 190,000 sq ft of manufacturing space and are premier converters of foams, films, rubber, insulation, lamination, and more.

Feel free to contact us today about your upcoming EV Battery die cut applications.

Interesting Times

I have been working in the converting business since 1985 and I have never seen so many external inputs converge on the industrial sector at one time and hope I never do again.  It has made business planning and proactive activities, let’s just say, exciting.

Distractions

• Covid-19 – Pandemics are obviously rare so planning for that is an adventure all by itself. The last major pandemic was the Spanish flu in 1918 so no one alive today could help us learn from that experience. That said, the world is a very different place today with many more people and a lot more travel so what was learned during the Spanish flu would not have been that helpful anyway. And it wasn’t. The high level of social conflict that we are currently experiencing hasn’t helped either. I hope that goes away soon.

• Supply Chain Disruptions – The drastic slowdown caused by the pandemic and the subsequent flood of demand that has occurred as the pandemic has waned has created shortages in a wide range of raw materials. We have seen specific raw material shortages in the past, but the breadth of the recent shortages has been shocking. I have participated in many meetings with both customers and suppliers that I would have never gotten involved with in the past. It is amazing how much time and energy this has required out of so many of our associates.

• Inflation – We have had periods of inflation to match this current time, but they are rare and happened a long time ago. The 1970’s were comparable to today, but that was before my 35 years in the business. I was in high school and my experience with inflation at that time was waiting in line to get gas for my 1972 Toyota Corolla. We supply lots of sku’s to lots of customers, so this pricing pressure has also created an incredible amount of extra work for the associates in our company.

• Finding Personnel – This has happened for several reasons, but mainly because of the high number of people that decided to retire due to Covid 19. The tenure at our company is outstanding and has helped us weather this storm, but when we have had to find new people, it has been difficult. You can tell people that you have a good company culture, but until a person gets to experience it, they really don’t know. Furthermore, every company is going to say that.

• Recession Concerns – There has been a lot of talk about a coming recession. Any election will ramp up and potentially exaggerate that kind of talk and the recent election was no different. We have experienced some slowness in certain segments, but not companywide. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Carrying On

I am not sure when or if this convergence of inputs will ever happen in the future. And frankly, I am not sure it has ever happened in the history of this country. These inputs have made decision making interesting to say the least. Some of these events are exact opposites. Planning for a business slowdown or recession and struggling to find people to hire at the same time makes no sense. We have done more reacting to events than planning and being proactive in the last two years than we ever have. It has not been our normal way to operate and has caused undue stress for everyone on our team.

We recently tabulated our engagement survey results and I am thrilled that we have maintained the high levels that we have experienced in the past.  We use the Gallup 12 question engagement survey that has been around for a long time.  We use this data to see how we compare to other companies and to see if our trends over time are performing adequately.  Do we have some areas that bare watching, yes, but overall, we feel very good about where we are.  The burdens on our associates in all departments has been very high due to all the external inputs I mentioned above.  As we all know our associates are our most important asset, so navigating the extra stress is critical.  It requires good communication from the department heads especially due to the combination of working on site and off site.

The past couple of years have created issues that call for difficult conversations with customers and suppliers.  It has also created opportunities for success.  Challenges can turn into successes when we effectively partner with our customers and suppliers.  I think the title of this article, Interesting Times, sums up the last two years.  It will be interesting to see what the future holds.  Have a fabulous holiday season.

Component Foams Specifically Engineered for Automakers

Guest Author: Isabell Wright, Armacell .

For most major car makers, all parts must be made from materials that are on their approved source list. It’s a competitive business and only the best suppliers with a proven track record of quality, new technology, on-time delivery and service will make the cut. Once a material has been included on the approved source list or our fabricator partners have been selected as preferred suppliers, the task is not over. We must continually maintain or improve our specs to stay competitive and meet the high expectations of auto makers and their supply chain.

Armacell’s foam is used in automotive components such as gaskets for sealing out water, air, dust or noise.

FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES

In the 1930’s Chrysler was known for its iconic Chrysler building in New York City and affordable luxury vehicles. Now they are known as a maker of family cars including a hybrid. Armacell makes a number of materials on the approved source list for FCA including Monarch 3091® and EnsoLite® EF0 which meet the MSAY 430 spec. Both have the necessary resistance to UV, weathering and acid. They meet the horizontal burn requirements for interior automotive gaskets. EnsoLite EF0 has the added benefit of being a super soft and conformable, semi-closed cell, crushed foam that works well in applications that require the material to spring back to its original thickness.

Armacell made more than 6 million square feet of EnsoLite SF0 in 2018

TOYOTA MOTOR CORP

For 75 years, Toyota has disrupted the market and revolutionized manufacturing. As a maker of cars that are known for efficiency and reliability, Toyota stands by their brand. It makes sense that they insist on suppliers that do the same. Armacell makes a number of products that meet the tough Toyota TSM 1501G spec for automobile parts. Monarch 8002 is a 100% EPDM bun that has a dependable resistance to corrosive acids, UV and weathering. That means the material will hold up to the abuse auto parts take over time. EnsoLite IG1, manufactured in continuous rolls or sheets, has excellent resistance to oil, fuel and flame. These qualities make EnsoLite and Monarch great choices for gaskets and seals in automotive design.

Click Here to Download the Full Automotive Component Foams PDF.

To learn more about Armacell Products, visit their website – Armacell

To go along with the Component foams, Avery Dennison has put together an in-depth adhesive bonding study which can be found Here.

As flexible material specialists, the CGR Products team offers years of experience in converting foam material into gaskets and components. Our in-house precision cutting services include rotary and flatbed die cutting, kiss cutting, slitting, splitting, knife cutting, and more.  For your next foam project, Contact Us today.

How to Prepare for Your Next Adhesive Materials Project

Adhesive bonding is often required for projects in many applications and industries.

With various types of bonds available to meet virtually any need, it’s important to know how to pinpoint the best option for your unique project.

When discussing your application with a bonding products manufacturer, you will be presented with a series of questions in order to narrow down adhesive options. Being able to anticipate these preliminary questions and having a clear understanding of your needs will help ensure that your project runs as smoothly and cost efficiently as possible.
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Why is Being “Wrong” so Important?

Let’s face it, nobody likes to be wrong about anything.  It challenges your sense of self confidence, it’s embarrassing, and it just doesn’t feel good.

That said, being wrong is where learning takes place. When people are correct, they move to the next thing. There is no need for reflection or thinking. Being wrong forces people to contemplate their position and how they arrived at their decision. In doing this people see things differently and learn how to make better decisions. That part of being wrong is obvious, but there is much more to it.

Impacts

The impact on human interactions when people are wrong is monumental. Almost anyone that realizes they are wrong becomes defensive.  In that moment communication can deteriorate and in many cases that makes reaching a resolution difficult, if not impossible.  On the other hand, when someone needs to point out that another person is incorrect for some reason, it likely causes anxiety for the person that needs to explain why.  In a team structure, it can create stress and make it difficult for the team to function at a high level. We have all experienced situations where people go to great lengths to “prove” they are correct. There are two reasons people decide to press their position; they believe they are correct, or they do not want to lose.  Regardless of the reason, this activity is usually destructive for your relationships and your ability to function effectively in your role. No matter which reason is behind pushing that you are correct, at that moment pressing ahead is not going to help resolve anything. When there is disagreement, it is best to do nothing more than listen.

So, what are the not so obvious reasons why it is important to be wrong and accept it gracefully? Other people will analyze how you react to being wrong and how they interpret that will go a long way to determine what they think of you. When you accept that you are incorrect professionally, that shows them that you have confidence in yourself. At that moment they become more confident in you. At the same time, it makes it much easier for people to interact with you.  They are not afraid to point out your inaccuracies. In other words, you have given them permission to challenge you. People will be more candid and that will create more fruitful conversations and better decisions in your relationships and in team environments.

Picking your Battles

Let me take this to another level and suggest that at times you should go out of your way to say you are wrong even when you are not. I know that sounds strange but hear me out. You need to decide if you gain more by “not being right”. Human emotions are a powerful thing and in many cases winning the emotional war is more important than winning the immediate battle on an issue or topic. There are many interactions where it simply does not matter who is right. If someone thinks a car is gray and I think it’s silver, does it matter at all who is correct? For that matter, whether a car is blue or red doesn’t matter. As you know this is called picking your battles. Furthermore, if there is more than one way to solve a problem, it can be better in the long run to “not be right”, or probably more accurately, not insisting to do it your way, even if their way is not as good as yours in your opinion.  It helps people learn to solve problems and it makes them feel good which is a positive for everyone involved. No matter what role you are in, a spouse, a colleague, or a leader, productive resolutions to important issues are critical.  Being right or doing things your way in many cases will do nothing to solve problems because of the “collateral” damage that can occur.

Now you are asking, did Chuck really write this? Okay, do as I say, not as I do. I realize that this is a struggle for me and possibly others, but I hope you will at least give me credit for acknowledging that and putting this on paper (or on the computer screen).

Finally, I want to thank all our constituents, our wonderful Associates, our paying Customers, and our Supplier partners. It has been a trying year in many ways, but it is years like this that make us appreciate the not so trying years. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

Chuck Keeley

President

CGR Products

Ingress Protection for Electrical Enclosures

Since CGR Products’ founding in 1963, we’ve worked with design engineers to bring projects to life, and we do everything we can to make that process efficient, affordable and successful. CGR uses a wide variety of converting methods and equipment to create parts and designs with precision and efficiency

Enclosure Protection

Enclosure gaskets are mechanical parts used to provide weatherproof seals on electrical enclosures and its doors. The typical method of attaching the gaskets is by means of a chemical fastener such as pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA). The mating surfaces many times can be irregular. In order to protect the sensitive electronic equipment inside the enclosure, a properly selected and manufactured gasket is critical. The enclosures can be used indoors or outdoors; therefore, a properly selected material and design are essential to ensure proper performance and long life. Generally, gaskets are used to seal out dust, dirt, water, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), and Radio Frequency (RFI). Gaskets can also be used to dissipate vibration.

Industry Testing

Water: Direct spray tests are conducted. These tests can be a drip test, pressure hose test, or submersion test. UL requires that no water enter the unit during any of these tests. Full submersion tests can require up to 24 hours of submersion with zero entry of moisture.
Oil Swell: The gasket material is submerged in oil for 24 hours. The gasket material cannot swell over 25% of its original dimension or shrink more than 1%.
Tensile & Elongation: Some NEMA tests require tensile and elongation retention. For tensile and elongation the gasket materials are aged for 1 week @ 70 degrees C (158 F). After completion, the new and aged gasket materials are compared. To pass the tensile test the aged gasket material must stretch 75% of the same length as the new material before breaking. Elongation requires that the amount of force needed to break the aged material must be at least 75% of the new material.
Other tests include water absorption, compression deflection, and compression set. Contact CGR Products for a more detailed explanation for all of these industry tests.

For a FREE downloadable PDF version to keep for your records:

Download the full version of Ingress Protection for Electrical Enclosures here

Gasket Design

Die Cut Gaskets:
Die cutting is the general process of using a die or tooling to shear webs of low-strength materials, such as rubber, fiber, foam, paper, paper, plastics, thin metals, and pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes.

Die cutting can produce a precise shape with no seams. These gaskets form around the entire perimeter of the enclosure or the sealing surface. These type of gaskets can be supplied individually, in sheets, kiss-cut on rolls, or in strips, with or without pressure sensitive adhesives for mounting.

Strip Gasketing:
This method is the oldest. Supplied in rolls, the manufacturers of the enclosures adhere strips of the gasket material to the enclosure surface to be sealed. One side of the gasket material will have a pressure sensitive adhesive designed to adhere to the enclosure structure. The corners are not sealed due to the strip design. This method is the most economical but the corners are areas of concern for some applications.

Fold- out / Dovetail Gasket
In instances of very large enclosures, high volumes, or the design does not allow for strip gaskets, a fold-out or dovetail gasket may be an option. The fold-out gasket allows the die cut to be expanded to its final shape, eliminating the center scrap. A dovetail gasket works in a similar fashion, except the corners are mitered and fit together comparable to a jigsaw puzzle. The design of the enclosure and level of ingress protection needed will determine if this type of gasket is suitable.

Material Selection

Elastomeric materials are the most common and affordable materials used for enclosure gaskets and seals. These materials are available in foams, sponge, foam blends, and cork blends, with and without pressure sensitive adhesives. The key to choosing a gasket material is defining the environment in which it must perform. One must consider temperature / thermal management requirements, UV and Ozone exposure, EMI / RFI resistance, just to name a few.

What can CGR Products do for you?
CGR Products can assist in suggesting a material for an electrical enclosure. We have worked with many enclosure manufactures over the last 50 years. The full CGR Resource Library and team of experts are available to clients with specifications, cost charts, comparative material information and more. Our design team works with automotive, marine, appliance, plastic molding, power tool, electrical, small engine and countless other clients.

Our in-house tool and die capabilities mean maximum problem solving with minimal lead times, and an extensive inventory of raw materials supports projects of all kinds. Safety stocks are in place with our inventory of raw materials, and consultation with our experienced staff is always available to get you started.

For a FREE downloadable PDF version to keep for your records:

Download the full version of Ingress Protection for Electrical Enclosures here

Learn More

Consider CGR Products when you are developing your enclosure protection.  With over 170,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space and over 100 top-quality machines, CGR serves a diverse range of clients, including those in the electrical enclosure industry.

To request a quote for your next gasket click Here or visit our Sample Gallery to view a portfolio encompassing all the industries we serve.