Surface World May 2019 Surface World May 2019 | Page 30

MASKING – TAPES, CAPS & PLUGS
Nuts, bolts and magnets for masking
Masking isn’t only about
rubber caps and plugs.
The perfect masking
solution can include
masks with built- in
magnets, metal plates,
washers, nuts and bolts.
A custom mask can be a simple rubber plug
that pushes into an odd shaped hole or a
rubber cap moulded to cover a complex
shape. The possibilities are endless when
it comes to custom masking. Sometimes,
however, a combination of rubber and other
components can be used to produce the
ultimate masking solution.
One area that is often over looked when
it comes to masking is how rubber can be
combined with other materials to create
a mask. It is possible to use a number of
materials such as magnets, metal plates,
washers, nuts and bolts in conjunction with
rubber to produce a masking solution.
A good masking company producing custom
masks should have the ability to produce
rubber to metal bonded parts. Rubber to
metal bonding can be used to embed items
such as washers, metal plates or nuts into
a rubber mask. Those embedded items can
form part of a sophisticated overall masking
solution such as a straight-sided plug that
can be expanded to fill a hole once it is in
position in the part. A metal plate bonded
inside a rubber mask can be used to
strengthen a mask. Metal plates with
threaded holes in them can be bonded into
masks to allow the mask to be clamped
onto a surface or jig.
Rubber to metal bonding locks the metal
piece into the rubber on a permanent basis.
For parts that may need replacing at some
point, pockets can be moulded into rubber
masks that will allow items such as metal
plates, nuts, washers or magnets to be held
in a pocket so they can be removed if they
or the rubber ever need replacing.
Magnets can be used to help hold a mask
together when it has to be split in order to
wrap around a complex shape. Magnets can
A removable
magnet which
can be built into
a pocket in a
mask will help
fasten a complex
mask together.
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MAY 2019
either be built into the mask to grip onto the
surface of the part the mask is covering, or
magnets can be built into tabs on the mask.
Those tabs will then stick together once the
mask is in place on the part.
With smart design the rubber can help stop
the metal fasteners from damaging the part
that is being masked. Pockets or recesses can
be created to hold metal items or magnets
to ensure the metal will not touch the part
that is being painted or plated.
If you need more information on using
magnets or fasteners in custom masking,
a good masking supplier such as Caplugs
or any of their distribution partners such
as Greentree can provide help.
John D. Gill
John D. Gill is an Engineer with
experience in masking and product
protection throughout the UK,
Europe and USA. He can be reached
at www.johndgill.com and via
Twitter @masking101
Four removable
magnets in this
mask secure the
mask in position
around a hole.
twitter: @surfaceworldmag