Bekmar Automated Gasketing Process
Bekmar is a contract manufacturing company in the business of robotically applying gaskets to parts and enclosures.
There are basically two types of seals we apply: |
- One is a conductive seal that is used on electronic devices for
shielding EMI/RFI or radio frequencies. This is usually required for
remote wireless devices such as cell phones and wireless internet
devices that must comply with FCC regulations. We have several types of
conductive materials available to meet different requirements.
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- The second is non-conductive seals used for environmental purposes.
These seals can be used on any device that requires a gasket to protect
products from the elements or environment they are subjected. We have
numerous types of materials that will meet the specifications for any
application.
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Our robotically dispensed gasket process ensures your seal is precisely placed onto every part. The gasket becomes an integral assembly so there is no need for fitting the seal as with conventional die-cut or molded gaskets. Our gasket materials adhere to plastics, aluminum, steel, glass, painted surfaces, plated surfaces - most any substrate used in industry. These materials allow the user to disassemble and re-assemble parts without compromising the integrity of the gasket function.
Application process (simplified)
- Customer sends parts to Bekmar Corporation to have gasket applied.
- Our three axis robotic dispenser is programmed to the required profile of gasket.
- Alignment fixture is setup on dispensing machine.
- Parts are placed on machine and gasket is dispensed onto part.
- Part is placed on rack for 24-hour cure time of gasket material.
- Part is inspected, packaged, and shipped to customer.
Detailed Explanation of Dispensing a Gasket
The materials in uncured form are liquid/paste about the consistency of toothpaste or honey depending on the type. The material is put into a 55cc syringe cartridge and a predetermined size nozzle is attached. This looks like an injection you would give to a horse.
The syringe is attached to a three axis robot that has been programmed to the desired shape and size of gasket to be dispensed. The part to be gasketed is placed on the robot via a special designed and fabricated alignment fixture. The robot program is started, the cartridge moves into its start position, the cartridge is pressurized and material begins to flow through the nozzle and onto the part. The nozzle moves along the programmed path leaving a precise bead of material on the part. When all the desired gasket beads of material are dispensed onto the part, the nozzle returns to its home position. The machine technician carefully removes the part and places it onto a rack until the gasket is cured.
The machine is ready to dispense another part. Multiple parts (same type) can be loaded onto the machine 4, 8, 16, up to 64, depending on size and volume requirements. Our equipment is fitted with four nozzle capability meaning that four parts can be dispensed per cycle. The program can step and repeat dispense of four parts until the fixtured parts are complete and ready to be removed and replaced with new parts for dispense. This reduces cost and allows high volume throughput.
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