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.

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.

Speaker Gaskets for OEM Manufacturers

CGR Products works with many manufacturers die cutting speaker gaskets.  Our gaskets are used in several markets including, marine speakers, automotive speakers, home speakers, and more.  Our die cutting capabilities allow us to cut virtually any size and pattern for large volume applications.  This article will describe a variety or materials and cutting methods used to produce speaker gaskets.

Materials

CGR Products stocks several raw materials used for speaker gaskets.  Materials such as closed cell sponge, cross linked polyethylene, and urethane foam are commonly used.  Closed cell sponge is the most common material used by speaker manufacturers. In the case of rear mounted speakers, a material such as closed cell sponge, or cross linked polyethylene (XLPE) is highly desired to make an airtight seal.  Later in the speakers life, if rear mounted, the speaker can easily be removed with no damage to the enclosure.

For conventional speaker mounting, the gasket is used to make a seal to a mounting ring, or to give the speaker better esthetics.  Material such as closed cell foam or urethane foams is typical for these applications.

Die cut gaskets from the above-mentioned materials allow for an easy installation.  CGR Products die cuts gasketsfrom all of these materials plain, or with adhesive. Materials laminated with adhesive on one side provide an easy installation by the OEM.  The gaskets will have a removable liner on the mating side, allowing for a quick peel and stick application.

CGR Products die cuts dampening or batting material for all types of speaker enclosures.  Typically, this material is either a non woven polyester batting or 2lb open cell urethane foam.  Depending on the cabinet design, we will die cut panels for the whole cabinet, or critical pads that are mounted strategically for dampening.  The dampening is critical in automotive applications to keep rattles and vibrations to a minimum.  These materials can also be laminated with adhesive if desired.  With polyester batting, CGR can add a heat activated glue web.  Urethane foam can have adhesive with a removable liner for peel and stick application.

Die Cut Gasket

CGR Products can die-cut products up to 75″ wide x 84″ long in a single stroke. For segmented parts, we can incorporate “dovetailed” or interlocking parts.  For supplying high volumes of speaker gaskets, this method of die cutting is the most desired for cost savings.  CGR Products will design the stamping tool to allow for the best material savings plus maximize throughput to reduce cost.  Cutting high volumes of parts are what we do best and set us apart from our competitors. Our large format cutting operation has its own dedicated shipping dock with 7 bays.

CGR Products also uses a variety of waterjet machines for cutting speaker gaskets.  Waterjet cutting offers excellent material yield and the ability to cut a multitude of materials. The CGR waterjets require no tooling or tool maintenance, lowering your initial set up charge.  We use custom made waterjet machines with multiple cutting heads to allow for multiple cuts at the same time.

Knife cutting is another exceptional option for fabrication tasks that require precision cutting without the use of waterjet machinery. Our state-of-the-art knife cutting machinery utilizes a serrated (dentated or toothed) blade in the Z-axis. This ensures the production of a precise end product, every time, no matter how intricate the details. The machine is powered by advanced control software and a powerful, versatile cutting head.  CGR’s knife cutting machine eliminates the need for cutting dies and increases yields to enable quick turnaround and higher precision.

Learn More

CGR Products is capable of producing custom speaker gaskets for a variety of applications.  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 speaker industry.  To learn more about how CGR Products can help with your die cut speaker gaskets, Contact Us today. Ready to get started,  Request a Quote for your die cut parts.

Heat Sealed 3M™ Thinsulate™

CGR Products has been supplying various types of 3M™ Thinsulate™ materials to the automotive market for more than 10 years.  The 3M™ Thinsulate™ NVH material (noise, vibration, and harshness) is used in a variety of applications across many different industries and provides a wide variety of sound absorption and dampening properties.

The Advantages of 3M™ Thinsulate™

3M™ Thinsulate™ NVH Material provides a reliable acoustic solution for various automotive applications.  3M™ Thinsulate™ is engineered to provide high-performance sound absorption.  Specific products are engineered to assist in the creation of lower profile products and reduce mass in the automobile while also reducing noise around the vehicle.  3M™ Thinsulate™ is water repellent to absorb minimal moisture; thus, no need for an additional waterproof layer. It is also resistant to mildew growth, eliminating the risk of unintended odors.

Heat Sealing Thinsulate™

CGR Products supplies custom cut 3M™ Thinsulate™ to the automotive industry utilizing a heat seal around the perimeter of the part.  Some of the benefits of a heat seal include:

• Preventing contaminants into the part.  If your part is located in an area prone to dust, dirt or any other foreign contaminants, a heat seal is an ideal way to keep much of the substance out of the part.
• CGR can supply custom cut Thinsulate™ in a variety of ways, such as individual parts stacked in a box, or perforated on a roll.  If a heat seal is used, the parts will retain their shape and remain stable dimensionally.
• Visually Appealing. If you have a die cut part that is visible, you may be interested in a heat sealed edge. This type of edge will provide a more finished look as opposed to an open, fibrous part.

Keep in mind that for most die cut Thinsulate™ parts, the heat seal is not needed.  However, if there are OEM requirements or if you are looking at exterior parts, a sealed part may be what you are looking for.

Learn More

Consider CGR Products when you are developing sound and vibration dampening.  With over 140,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space and over 100 top-quality machines, CGR serves a diverse range of clients, including those in the automotive industry. To learn more about our capabilities within this field, download our automotive application guide, or visit our Sample Gallery to view a portfolio encompassing all the industries we serve.

CGR Products is Helping To Fight COVID-19

Just a few months ago, we would have never imagined we would be fighting the pandemic that we’re now facing.  CGR Products is currently classified as an “essential business”.  We die cut critical engineered parts that go to other essential businesses.  The amount of inquires we’ve received has been both overwhelming and a blessing, including companies that range from major automotive manufactures making ventilators to high school students 3d printing face shields in their homes.

The president of CGR Products recently gave an interview with our local news affiliate regarding how we are helping fight COVID-19 which you can find Here

Helping in the Fight

A few products that went into production extremely fast are gaskets used for ventilator timers, die cut face masks, and die cut foam strips used on face shields.

Ventilators

The ventilator gaskets are a specialized neoprene rubber that have a 3M high temperature adhesive on both sides.  We used to cut these gaskets years ago but the company moved the production overseas.  Within 10 days we were able to locate the tooling which we still had, ordered the specialized material, and started die cutting the parts.  The parts were then rushed to a major USA based automotive manufacturer where the ventilator is being produced.

Face Masks

A local company reached out to us about die cutting their own material to make face masks in a rush.  This customer brought us a prototype of the mask and the material to be used. The face mask design is a closed cell material that is washable and reusable. From the sample, we created the tooling in house and started die cutting the masks.  We were able to create a die to maximize the customers’ material utilization and start cutting immediately.

Face Shields

Face shield foam strips have also been in huge demand.  We have been supplying these strips in materials that range from open cell polyurethane foam, to closed cell sponge.  With closed cell sponge, CGR Products can split these materials to any specific thickness.  We have seen thickness requests that range from .500″ to 1.25″ for these strips.  We then apply adhesive to one side of the materials and either die cut to the finished desired strip or supply the materials in roll form.

A student from an area high school reached out to us looking for a material to use on face shields.  The school has 3D Printing as part of their curriculum and they started making the clear plastic portion of the face shield.  Here at CGR Products, we stock a wide variety of closed cell sponge and offered the school Armacell 3091 to use as the foam strip.  We supplied them strips die cut 1.00” thick x 1.50” wide.  The completed face shields were then supplied to medical staff in the local hospitals.  Attached is a link from Armacell, regarding materials used for face shields.  Foams for face shields.

We Are Ready to Help

CGR serves a diverse range of clients, including those in the medical equipment industry.  To learn more about how CGR Products can help with your die cut parts, please Contact Us today. Ready to get started,  Request a Quote for your die cut parts.

CGR Products News Release

CGR Products News Release: Growth Leads to a 30,000 sq ft Expansion and New High Volume Manufacturing Machinery

Click Here to read the full news release.

To Fuji or not to Fuji Test your Gaskets, That is the Question

Many variables can affect gasket sealing such as internal pressure, temperature, gasket design, and flange load.  Sometimes it is necessary to dig a little deeper into the actual sealing picture when a difficult or critical sealing situation is encountered.  In this article, we will explore a process we call “Fuji Testing”.

How Fuji Testing Works

Fujifilm Prescale is a polyester based film that contains a layer of tiny microcapsules. The application of force upon the film causes the microcapsules to rupture, producing an instantaneous and permanent high resolution “topographical” image of pressure variation across the contact area.  The use of this tactile sensor film is one method CGR Products uses to help customers see a “Static” picture of how the gasket is sealing in the current application.

We place the Fuji film between any two surfaces that touch, mate or impact. Apply pressure, remove it, and immediately the film reveals the pressure distribution profile that occurred between the two surfaces.  Like litmus paper, the color intensity of the film is directly related to the amount of pressure applied to it.  The greater the pressure, the more intense the color.

Analyzing the Fuji Data

The principle way in which CGR Products uses Fuji film is to determine if the current gasket design is producing an acceptable seal to satisfy the customers’ requirements.   In our example below, you are looking at a currently designed gasket where its highest pressure points are at the bolt holes.  The bolt pressure points left a softer area in the middle of the flange.

Making Recommendations

If it is determined that the sealing pressure revealed by the Fuji film is not acceptable, CGR Products can use the film data to determine a possible revised gasket design.  These tests can also reveal that a material change is all that is needed to satisfy the sealing requirements.  Using the same example, this is CGR Products proposed design and material change after Fuji analysis.

Learn More

To answer the question as to whether a Fuji analysis is right for you, Ask yourself if the potential warranty cost to your company is worth the time and effort.  Let CGR Products help with your sealing issues so we can work together to solve potential warranty problems before they occur.  Feel free to contact us with questions or dig deeper into our capabilities by clicking on our website.

Material of the Month: Felt

CGR Products stocks a large variety of materials for a wide range of applications. Flexible rubber sheeting, adhesive solutions, and fiber materials are just a few of our specialty options.

Our Material of the Month series spotlights some of our favorite materials and their unique applications. This month, we’re discussing Felt.

What is Felt?

Felt is a very versatile and resilient industrial fabric that is manufactured using different processes.

Needle Punch Process:

A fiber such as polyester is interlocked using a machine with thousands of needles moving in an up and down motion.  Heat is then applied using a calendar roll to make a smoother surface and remove fuzziness from the felt.  Calendaring can also be used to produce a firmer sheet.  A binder can be added to felt that needs to be thermo-formable.

Woven:

Wool or wool blended with other yarn are woven into cloth and then felted using steam and pressure to interlock the fibers.

Pressed:

Wool fibers or wool blended with other fibers are pressed together with steam and pressure that allows the fibers to naturally interlock.

Material Terminology

• Denier: weight in grams of one single thread of fiber 9,000 meters long.
• Loft = thickness
• Hand: the feel of the felt.
• Weight: ounces per square foot or grams per square meter.

General Applications

Automotive Applications

Vibration dampening gaskets, wheel well liners, trunk and deck liners, under carpet padding, and noise absorption.

Appliance Applications

Vibration dampening gaskets, noise reduction, and lint and air seals.

General Industrial Applications 

Industrial sander backing pads, floor protection pads, and oiler pads for slitting and friction applications.

Using Felt for Your Application

As flexible material specialists, the CGR team offers years of experience in converting felt into components to fit specialty projects. Our in-house precision cutting services include rotary and flatbed die cutting, kiss cutting, slitting, splitting, knife cutting, and more.

For more information about applications and fabrication possibilities, visit our Materials Page.  To discuss any Felt options for your next project, please reach out to our team today.

Three Capabilities You Might Not Have Known About CGR Products

Here at CGR Products, we use a variety of cutting and fabricating capabilities on a daily basis.  However, we do some fabricating that might seem “out of the norm” from our core manufacturing.  In this article, we will highlight three things you might not have known about CGR Products capabilities.

Metal Fabrication Capabilities

All three CGR Products facilities have the ability to fabricate high volume metal parts.  Each location has die cutting presses capable of cutting thinner gauge metals, typically in roll or sheet form.  In addition, our Waukesha, WI plant has 2 abrasive waterjet machines capable of cutting many types of thicker metals.  We produce specialty gaskets including head gaskets with fire rings, and metal encapsulated gaskets.  Watch our video below of a high volume metal composite being die cut.

Displays and Lettering

CGR Products has the unique capability of fabricating foam lettering and displays in high volumes.  These items can be plain, adhesive backed, or magnetic backed.  We can cut foam up to 9.00″ thick in a variety of colors and densities.  We work directly with the retail store design firms to meet their specific display goals.  Examples of our work can be found in Grocery Stores and retail shops in the Southeast.   Visit our Open and Closed Cell Foam Materials page for examples of the types of foams we work with.

Foam Perforation

CGR Products has the specialized capability of wide format foam perforation.  Foam perforation is typically found as underlayment in sporting fields to allow for water drainage.  Our perforation process can cut material up to 60″ wide and run roll to roll.  Our unique process allows the slugs to be removed while cutting, saving time for the end user.   Once perforated, the rolls are plastic wrapped and labeled.  Rolls are typically shipped in truckload quantities ready for the end user to install.

Learn More

With over 140,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space and over 100 top-quality machines, CGR serves a diverse range of clients. To learn more about our capabilities, click around our website or visit our Sample Gallery to view a portfolio encompassing many of the industries we serve.