GASKETS AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING GASKETS

摘要

A method of making a compression gasket having a predetermined gasket body pattern includes the steps of forming a gasket preform of a flowable elastomeric compound, and compressing the preform between two planar plates to form a gasket having the predetermined gasket body pattern. Furthermore, an apparatus for making a compression gasket includes a dispensing head, a numerical control motion generator, and a data storage and retrieval system containing data for directing the numerical control motion generator for moving a dispensing head. The apparatus also includes a source of flowable elastomeric compound. The elastomeric compound is dispensed by the head at a known flow rate into a predetermined gasket body pattern. The apparatus further includes a first pressing plate having a first substrate whereby the dispensing head dispenses the flowable elastomeric compound onto the first substrate in the predetermined gasket body pattern. A second pressing plate having a second substrate is positionable over the first substrate with the flowable elastomeric compound dispensed thereon. The first and second substrates are capable of compressing the dispensed elastomeric compound to a desired thickness. The compressed compound is then cured to provide a compression gasket.