When critical applications demand custom seals that perform under pressure, trust Colvin Friedman’s 75+ years of precision manufacturing expertise. We specialize in die-cutting custom seals from the most demanding materials to tolerances as tight as ±0.005 inches, delivering the reliability your equipment depends on. Request Your Custom Seal Manufacturing Quote
With Colvin Friedman, you get precision die cutting combined with crisis-tested production capacity. Our flatbed processes handle everything from prototype runs to emergency volume surges.
| Process Type | Rotary Die-Cutting | Flatbed Die-Cutting |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Width | 16 inches (can slit larger jumbos) | 40 inches |
| Material Thickness | Up to 0.015" (material dependent) | Up to 0.5" (material dependent) |
| Precision Tolerance | ±0.005 inches | ±0.010 inches |
| Production Capacity | Up to 40,000 units/hour | 2,000-4,000 parts/hour |
| Average Lead Time | 3 weeks | 3 weeks |
| Best Applications | High-volume production runs | Complex geometries, thick materials |
Our precision cutting processes are optimized for the unique properties of each material. For elastomers like Neoprene and EPDM, we adjust the blade geometry and press settings based on the material's hardness to prevent deformation during cutting, ensuring your seals maintain their critical dimensions.
We specialize in thin-gauge films and sheet plastics, including PETG, Polyethylene, and Polyimide. Our expertise includes thermal insulators for large-scale battery applications, RFID shielding materials for electronic components, and fire barrier films for electrical systems.
Cutting closed-cell and open-cell foam requires specialized handling to maintain dimensional accuracy. We perform test cuts to characterize material rebound behavior and adjust press settings to prevent compression-related distortion.
Our kiss-cutting expertise ensures clean liner release for PSA tapes, VHB materials, and double-coated tapes. We evaluate peel force and adhesive mass to optimize cut depth and prevent liner damage or adhesive transfer.
| Stage 1: Engineering Consultation & Design Optimization (1-3 Days) | We begin every project by collaborating directly with your engineering team to review specifications and optimize your seal design for manufacturing. Our team evaluates material performance under your specific operating conditions, selects the optimal die-cutting method, and integrates with your CAD systems for precise specification transfer. We often identify design optimizations that improve both manufacturing efficiency and seal performance. |
| Stage 2: Custom Tooling & Die Creation (2-7 Days) | Our expert die creators custom-tool all dies using high-grade steel construction. Each die undergoes precision milling and engraving to produce sharp, durable cutting edges. We create sample products during this phase for initial testing and validation, ensuring the tooling will consistently deliver your exact specifications. |
| Stage 3: First Article Inspection & Client Approval | Before full production begins, we conduct comprehensive fit, function, and tolerance validation using our Quality Management System (QMS). Multiple test iterations may be produced to verify performance, and dies can be adjusted to ensure optimal results. We encourage clients to perform their own testing to confirm the seals meet all application requirements. |
| Stage 4: Precision Production & Quality Control | Our Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) system precisely calibrates machines to your specifications. Throughout production, our QMS continuously monitors quality to prevent degraded output and maintains die sharpness. Our waste tracking and scrap reclamation systems help ensure cost-effective output while maintaining quality standards. |
| Stage 5: Final Inspection & Logistics Integration | Every seal undergoes final inspection against all specifications before packaging. We offer custom packaging solutions and can integrate directly with your inventory management systems, including Kanban and End-to-End programs. Established clients benefit from same-day shipping on blanket purchase orders. |
Colvin-Friedman applies rigorous controls across material handling, cutting precision, and optical clarity to make sure every face shield delivers reliable protection in prototypes and then across full production runs.
| Design for Manufacturing Excellence |
|---|
| One of the most overlooked factors in precision seal manufacturing is the part drawing itself. Our engineering team works upstream with clients to identify design elements that may create production challenges or unnecessarily increase costs. Minor adjustments to internal radii can improve edge quality and cycle time, while proper peel tab sizing and orientation ensure reliable liner removal in adhesive applications. |
| Material Selection Optimization |
|---|
| Material selection involves understanding how substrates behave during the cutting process, not just reviewing specification sheets. We assess factors like dimensional stability in films and laminates, adhesive behavior in PSA applications, and tool wear considerations for filled composites and metal-laminated materials. |
| Quality Control Integration |
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| Our approach delivers repeatable CPK & PPK quality metrics through continuous monitoring throughout production. We maintain high-level tolerance stack analysis capabilities and have achieved zero recorded quality rejections through our rigorous quality management systems. |
| Category | Challenge | Colvin Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Control & Consistency | Maintaining precise tolerances across large production runs while ensuring consistent seal performance. | Continuous QMS monitoring combined with Computer-Aided Manufacturing maintains precise calibration throughout production. Real-time die condition assessment prevents quality degradation, and 75+ years of experience have resulted in zero recorded quality rejections. |
| Lead Times & Project Scheduling | Meeting tight project deadlines without compromising quality standards. | Our streamlined design-to-production process averages a 3-week lead time with expedited options available. In-house tooling eliminates external dependencies, and strong supplier relationships ensure reliable material availability. |
| Minimum Order Quantities & Inventory Management | Balancing inventory costs while ensuring adequate supply for production schedules. | We offer flexible order quantities with comprehensive stocking services. Direct integration with inventory systems (Kanban, JIT, End-to-End) enables 99.99% stock-out avoidance and automatic restocking. |
| Technical Support & Communication | Getting expert technical guidance and real-time project updates when needed. | Every client has direct access to our Vice President, Josh Rodman, who oversees all production. Our small-company responsiveness and large-scale capacity ensure direct, efficient communication at every stage. |
Colvin-Friedman stands out through decades of specialized die-cutting experience, providing proven expertise that mitigates risk. Our impeccable quality record, with zero recorded rejections, ensures reliable performance and minimal waste. Every product is fully custom, not sourced from a catalog, and is tailored to exact specifications optimized for your specific application. Clients enjoy direct access to our Vice President, allowing for swift decisions and expert guidance. With our U.S.-based California facility, you benefit from predictable delivery and secure, dependable supply chains.
| Certifications & Quality Standards | Our Quality Management System ensures consistent performance across all production runs, with continuous monitoring and documentation. We maintain the highest industry standards for precision die-cutting, supported by Computer Aided Manufacturing systems and expert quality control processes. |
| Proven Track Record | During the COVID-19 pandemic, we demonstrated our manufacturing capabilities by producing over 1 million face shields while maintaining our exceptional quality standards and meeting critical deadlines. This experience proved our ability to scale production rapidly while preserving the precision and reliability our customers depend on. |
| Customer Success Stories | Our clients span critical applications across industries, including electronics, medical devices, industrial equipment, and energy systems. We've successfully manufactured thermal insulators for large-scale batteries, precision medical device components, RFID shielding for electronic systems, and fire barrier films for electrical applications. |
| Technical Excellence & Innovation | Our specialized capabilities include multi-stage registration, tight-tolerance small-scale laminations, reactive material cutting studies, and matched toolsets with high precision. We offer both servo-driven and line-driven press options, with expertise in thin-film processing and thick-sheet plastics. |
| Value-Added Partnership Services | Beyond manufacturing, we provide comprehensive supply chain support, including custom packaging solutions, retail-ready preparation, and direct shipping to distribution centers. Our inventory management integration eliminates stock-out risks while optimizing your carrying costs. |
Experience the reliability and precision that comes from over 75 years of custom seal manufacturing expertise. Our engineering team is ready to transform your sealing challenges into cost-effective, high-performance solutions.
Request Your Custom Seal Manufacturing Quote
