Through our time writing about the weird and wonderful things that can be achieved using laser cutting, it’s easy to forget that, for a long time, it was considered a purely functional process. People need highly specific cuts for materials used in all manner of commercial and industrial applications, and there is no easier way to achieve this than with the precision and speed offered by lasers. So, today, we thought that it would be interesting to take a look at one of the more simple, practical applications for laser cutting in the form of laser cut gaskets.
At Vector & Raster, we have decades of experience in the laser cutting industry, working across commercial, residential, artistic and industrial sectors to provide state of the art laser cutting services to businesses worldwide. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at the surprisingly essential world of laser cut gaskets.
What Are Laser Cut Gaskets?
Even if you don’t know what laser cut gaskets are, you’ve certainly come across them at one time or another. After all, gaskets are absolutely everywhere in the world. They appear in our homes, they are required for vehicles, buildings, and complex machinery of all kinds. For an item that rarely gets acknowledged outside of manufacturing and mechanics, these little pieces, which can be made from a variety of materials that we will discuss later, have a lot of very important roles.
Also known as washers or O-rings, a gasket exists to seal the gap between two things or surfaces. Because of this, they are often made of soft, non-absorbant materials that can mould to the shape of the two items in question effectively. These laser cut gaskets tend to be quite small for most uses, generally only coming in at around three inches. However, they can come in a number of different varieties depending on their intended use and can be quite a bit larger or smaller depending on the job’s requirements.
What Are Gaskets Made Out Of?
As we touched on in the last point, gaskets need to be able to reliably seal the space between two surfaces. So, depending on the specific utility required of gaskets, they will be made of different materials. For example, many gaskets will be made of rubber, Silicone, cork, felt, some variety of plastic polymer, or any number of other materials. The laser-cut gasket that we have shown in our images is from an order of 1.5mm neoprene sponge gaskets and inserts. So, this should hopefully give you an idea of just how much variety there is when it comes to selecting the type of gasket that will be best for your project.
What Applications Are Laser Cut Gaskets Generally Used For?
This is a tough one, because the more general answer is, well, everything. Gaskets are absolutely vital in one way or another for many industries to function safely, and that’s why so many of them are produced. With that said, in the production of gaskets, there are some industries in which they are seen more than others. These applications include the automotive industry, marine vessels and equipment, pharmaceuticals, aerospace engineering, electrical utilities, enclosures, spacers and inserts, and many, many more.
An improperly installed gasket, or one that has been allowed to erode or break down over time, can lead to potential leakages or damages when left unchecked. So, if you’re in an industry that requires them, which as mentioned before, is most industries, it’s important that gaskets are checked for integrity both before and after installation.
Why Should I Laser Cut My Gaskets?
In engineering and manufacturing, consistency is everything, and issues can quickly arise if your gaskets are of poor quality or are inconsistently sized. Laser cutting, with its machine-assisted precision and ability to perform identical cuts across thousands of materials in a far shorter time than traditional methods, is an absolutely perfect fit. At Vector & Raster, we offer precision cutting of any type of gasket of up to approximately 1240 x 705mm in one piece. So, no matter what material or size you may require for your project or business, our team will be able to support you with a near-limitless supply of high quality, reliable gaskets suited specifically to your needs, preferences and requirements.
So, are you ready to take your plunge into the gasket game? Well, contact Vector & Raster today, or get a quick quote through our simple form. Additionally, you can learn more about what laser cutting as a whole has to offer by exploring the Vector & Raster laser cutting blog and staying up-to-date with all our posts ranging from design to manufacturing and more.
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