Custom Seal & Gasket Reverse Engineering
Need to replace an obsolete seal, reproduce a damaged gasket, or develop a custom component? EPM helps turn your existing parts, samples, sketches, and drawings into practical replacement solutions.
From one-off prototypes to recurring production runs, EPM manufactures custom seals, gaskets, and engineered components using machining, molding, stamping, die cutting, waterjet cutting, forming, and assembly.
Have a part that is difficult to find or no longer available? EPM can help you explore reverse engineering and custom manufacturing options.
Custom Seals, Gaskets & Components Manufactured by EPM
EPM works with customers to reproduce existing components and develop custom parts for a wide range of industrial applications. Whether you have an original sample or are starting with a drawing, our team can discuss the manufacturing approach that best fits your project.
Oil Seals
Custom replacement oil seals for application-specific requirements.
Hydraulic Seals
Replacement seals for hydraulic equipment and demanding operating environments.
Pneumatic Seals
Custom sealing components for pneumatic systems and equipment.
Seal Kits
Hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder seal kits with components evaluated individually.
Custom Gaskets
Flat-cut and custom-shaped gaskets developed around your part specifications.
Custom Rubber Parts
Application-specific rubber components made to suit your design requirements.
Rubber-to-Metal Parts
Custom components combining rubber and metal for specialized applications.
Polyurethane Components
Custom polyurethane parts for applications requiring carefully selected material properties.
Looking for something not listed? EPM can evaluate a wide range of custom seals, gaskets, and components based on your design, materials, dimensions, and manufacturing requirements.
Material Selection for Your Seal or Gasket
Choosing the right material is essential to the performance and service life of a seal or gasket. EPM considers your operating conditions and application requirements when discussing material options for replacement parts and new designs.
- Nitrile (NBR): Commonly considered for oil and fuel sealing applications.
- FPM: Often selected for applications requiring resistance to elevated temperatures and certain chemicals.
- PTFE: Considered for chemical compatibility, low friction, and other demanding applications.
- Polyurethane: Used where properties such as wear resistance and mechanical strength are important.
- Acetal: An engineering plastic option for dimensionally stable components.
- Silicone: Considered for applications with specific temperature and flexibility requirements.
- EPDM: An important option for applications involving water, steam, weather exposure, and other compatible media.
EPM can also discuss additional elastomers, plastics, and specialty materials as required. Final material selection depends on chemical compatibility, temperature, pressure, speed, mechanical loads, and other application-specific conditions.
Not sure which material is right for your application? EPM can review the available specifications and help identify material options for further evaluation.
EPM Custom Seal & Gasket Prototyping
Before committing to a production run, you may need a prototype to check dimensions, fit, material suitability, or performance. EPM can discuss prototype development based on your available sample, sketch, drawing, or mockup.
1. Review
EPM reviews your part information, application, dimensions, and operating requirements.
2. Develop
We evaluate suitable materials and manufacturing methods for your prototype.
3. Evaluate
Prototype samples can be supplied for inspection and approval as agreed for the project.
4. Manufacture
Once requirements are established, EPM can discuss production quantities and repeat orders.
Prototype designs may include rotating seals, reciprocating seals, three-dimensional molded shapes, flat-cut gaskets, and custom assemblies. Development time and cost depend on the complexity of the component, material requirements, tooling, and selected manufacturing process.
EPM can discuss both small and large production runs for machined, molded, stamped, formed, and cut components, subject to the design and manufacturing requirements.
Why Choose EPM for Seal & Gasket Reverse Engineering?
When an original manufacturer discontinues a component, replacement parts can become difficult or expensive to obtain. Worn seals, damaged gaskets, and aging equipment can create additional challenges when original drawings or specifications are unavailable.
EPM helps customers explore reverse engineering as an alternative to sourcing an obsolete or costly OEM component. By evaluating an existing sample, drawing, sketch, or mockup, EPM can work toward establishing the dimensions, materials, and manufacturing requirements for a replacement.
Replace Obsolete Parts
Explore replacement options for components that are no longer available from the original manufacturer.
Evaluate OEM Alternatives
Compare potential custom manufacturing approaches when OEM replacement pricing is a concern.
Address Application Challenges
Evaluate material compatibility, wear, dimensions, and other operating concerns when developing a replacement.
Support Older Equipment
Investigate replacement components for equipment that may lack current drawings or readily available parts.
Depending on the application, re-engineering may also provide an opportunity to investigate alternative materials or design changes. Any proposed changes should be evaluated against the equipment's operating requirements.
Have an obsolete, worn, broken, or expensive OEM part? Contact EPM to discuss whether reverse engineering is a suitable option.
How EPM Reverse Engineers Seals, Gaskets & Replacement Parts
Every project is different. EPM's approach depends on the part's complexity, available documentation, material, dimensions, and intended operating conditions.
-
Part Inspection & Information Gathering
EPM begins with the original sample, drawing, sketch, mockup, or other available part information. An existing sample can help establish dimensions and identify features that may need to be reproduced.
-
Dimensional Review & Material Analysis
The component can be measured and evaluated, with a drawing prepared when necessary. Material analysis may be used to investigate the original material and identify potential alternatives where appropriate.
-
Seal Kit Evaluation
For a seal kit, EPM can evaluate each component individually. The parts are reviewed for their dimensions, material requirements, and intended function within the assembly.
-
Manufacturing & Prototype Development
A suitable manufacturing method is identified based on the design and project requirements. Prototype parts may be produced for inspection or testing when included in the agreed project scope.
-
Packaging & Delivery
Once the components are manufactured, EPM can discuss labeling, packaging, and delivery requirements. Seal kit components may be organized as needed for the application.
EPM can work from incomplete documentation when an original sample or other useful information is available. The information needed to proceed will depend on the component and its application.
Potential Cost Savings & Efficient Turnaround with EPM
Reverse engineering and alternative manufacturing methods may offer meaningful savings compared with OEM replacement parts. On applicable projects, savings of 25% to 55% have often been achieved. Actual results depend on the original OEM price, component design, material, tooling, manufacturing method, and production quantity.
EPM also recognizes that replacement parts are often needed to minimize equipment downtime. Turnaround requirements can be discussed at the beginning of a project so that timing, manufacturing options, and delivery expectations can be evaluated.
For components used regularly, EPM can discuss stocking and warehousing arrangements where suitable. Depending on inventory requirements, this may help support repeat orders and more predictable replenishment.
- Custom replacement parts for obsolete or unavailable components.
- Prototype development before an agreed production run.
- Manufacturing options for small and large quantities.
- Material and process options evaluated against application requirements.
- Potential stocking arrangements for recurring component needs.
Starting Your EPM Seal or Gasket Project
You do not need a complete engineering package to start a conversation with EPM. An existing sample, drawing, sketch, or mockup can provide a useful starting point. The STAMPS checklist below helps identify important application details.
1. Provide a Sample, Sketch, Drawing, or Mockup
Share whatever information you have about the component and the equipment in which it operates. When known, the following details can help EPM evaluate the project.
S — Size
What are the dimensions of the seal or gasket? Include inside diameter, outside diameter, thickness, cross-section, and tolerances where available.
T — Temperature
What temperatures will the component encounter? Include minimum, normal, and maximum operating temperatures in °C or °F when known.
A — Action
Is the application static, reciprocating, rotary, or a combination? Identify the equipment, such as a pump, valve, cylinder, or mixer.
M — Media / Material
What fluid or substance is being sealed? Examples include oils, fuels, solvents, acids, caustics, abrasives, water, and other process media.
P — Pressure
What are the normal and maximum operating pressures? Include PSI or bar values when available.
S — Speed
What operating speed is required? Provide feet per minute (FPM) for applicable linear motion or revolutions per minute (RPM) for rotary applications.
Important Performance Requirements
EPM can also review additional performance expectations that may affect material selection, component design, and manufacturing.
- High-temperature resistance
- Low-temperature flexibility and performance
- Chemical and fluid compatibility
- High-pressure operating conditions
- High-speed or low-speed operation
- Hydrolysis resistance
- FDA-compliant materials where required
- Wear resistance and expected service life
- Dimensional tolerances and installation requirements
- Other industry, regulatory, or application-specific specifications
Material selection should account for the complete operating environment. EPM can discuss available information and identify questions that may need to be resolved before manufacturing.
2. Define Your Operational Expectations
Tell EPM what the replacement part must accomplish. Include any known dimensional tolerances, acceptable materials, compatibility requirements, performance targets, and relevant equipment specifications.
3. Establish a Prototype Testing Method
If a prototype or first production model requires testing, identify how it will be evaluated under working conditions. Whenever possible, agree on acceptance criteria before production so the finished component can be assessed against the intended requirements.
Missing some specifications? That is not necessarily a barrier to getting started. Send EPM the information currently available, and we can discuss what additional details may be needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About EPM Seal & Gasket Services
Can EPM reverse engineer an obsolete seal or gasket?
Yes. EPM can evaluate an available sample, drawing, sketch, or mockup to establish the requirements for reproducing an obsolete or unavailable component. Feasibility depends on the part's condition, complexity, material, and application.
What types of seals and gaskets can EPM manufacture?
EPM works with oil seals, hydraulic seals, pneumatic seals, cylinder seal kits, custom gaskets, rubber components, rubber-to-metal parts, polyurethane components, and other custom parts, subject to design and manufacturing requirements.
What materials can EPM use for custom seals and gaskets?
Potential materials include nitrile, FPM, PTFE, polyurethane, acetal, silicone, EPDM, and other suitable elastomers and engineering plastics. Selection depends on operating temperature, pressure, speed, chemical exposure, and other requirements.
Does EPM offer prototype manufacturing?
EPM can discuss prototype development for custom seals, gaskets, and assemblies. Prototype samples may be supplied for inspection and approval before production, as agreed for the project.
How much can EPM save compared with OEM replacement parts?
Savings of 25% to 55% have often been achieved on applicable reverse engineering projects. Actual savings vary according to component design, original pricing, material, tooling, manufacturing process, and production quantity. A project-specific quote is needed to estimate potential savings.
Can EPM manufacture small quantities and recurring production orders?
EPM can discuss small and large production runs based on the component and manufacturing requirements. For parts used regularly, stocking and warehousing options may also be available.
What if I do not have an original drawing?
A drawing is not always necessary to begin the discussion. EPM can review an existing sample, sketch, mockup, or available equipment information to determine what additional measurements or documentation may be required.
How do I get a quote from EPM?
Contact EPM with your part description, available drawings or samples, known operating conditions, and required quantity. We can discuss the information needed to evaluate your project and prepare a quotation.
Let's Discuss Your Custom Seal or Gasket Project
Whether you need to replace an obsolete OEM component, reproduce a worn or broken seal, develop a prototype, or manufacture a complete seal kit, EPM can help you explore the available options.
Start with your sketch, drawing, mockup, sample, or equipment information. Include any known dimensions, operating conditions, material requirements, and production quantities.
EPM can then discuss potential materials, manufacturing methods, prototype requirements, pricing, and production options based on your project.
Have a custom component that needs to be reproduced? Contact EPM today to discuss your seal, gasket, or reverse engineering requirements.
