VTI form in place gasketing is a robotic system for dispensing elastomer onto a substrate to provide tightness of fit between plastic or metal parts that are screwed or snapped together for final assembly later in production.
VTI FIP gaskets can be conductive to augment shielding against EMI, RFI, and ESD; or they can be nonconductive to provide insulation from external contaminants and/or stress-relief.
VTI form in place technology features 3- and 4-axis CNC dispensing robots to assure repeatability and accuracy no matter how large or small your production run.
- What are the advantages of Form in Place Gaskets?
- What are the kinds of available FIP elastomers?
- What are the differences between Form in Place gasketing and Cure in Place gasketing?
What are the advantages of VTI Form in Place Gaskets?
- Shorter lead times and significant assembly cost savings. FIP gaskets completely eliminate the need for O-rings, or cutting or molding specially-shaped gaskets for your unique and/or proprietary products.
- Superior component parts inventory-control. Form in place technology eliminates the need to stock & inventory O-rings and/or specially-cut gaskets for your proprietary products.
- Excellent adhesion. FIP elastomers will adhere to aluminum, steel, plastics, painted surfaces, and many other substrates.
- Support assembly & disassembly. FIP gasketing is perfect for parts that must be routinely assembled and reassembled—as for adjustment, maintenance, or battery replacement.
- More adaptable. FIP gaskets can be used with less-than-perfect moldings and castings because the seal is a product of the compression and cohesion of the elastomeric material—not the uniformity of the seams themselves.
What are the kinds of available FIP elastomers?
For conductive FIP gaskets, you can specify silicone elastomers composed of silver/nickel, silver/aluminum, silver/copper, and nickel/graphite in either moisture- or thermal-cure formulations according to your needs.
What are the differences between Form in Place gasketing and Cure in Place gasketing?
Cure in place (CIP) gaskets are specified in cases where parts are assembled immediately on the line. In contrast to FIP gasketing, cure in place gasketing involves dispensing a silicone paste or adhesive onto the seam of one part of an enclosure and then attaching it to its opposite part while the silicone is still wet. Once the silicone has cured, elastomeric cohesion provides sealing between the two. Thereby, CIP gaskets are not suitable for enclosures that are routinely taken apart for adjustment, maintenance, or battery replacement.
Find out more about our form in place gasketing capabilities here.
