Custom Manufacturing & Metal Stamping of Valve Cores

A valve core is a mechanism mounted inside a valve. Its primary functions are to enable air or fluid flow in or out of a system, tire, or reservoir when the inlet pressure is higher than the valve’s spring adjustment, and to prevent the air or fluid from flowing out. Valve cores are used in a wide range of applications. Gem produces two integral components to the valve core, the Barrel and the Cup. Together, they form the primary seal that opens to admit gas to a chamber (such as air to inflate a tire), and is then automatically closed and kept sealed by the pressure in the chamber, or a spring, or both, to prevent the gas from escaping.

Since the 1950’s, Gem has made in excess of 5,000,000,000 units of each of these components.  Both parts are produced on dedicated equipment.  The Barrels run in a 10-10 Waterbury Ferrel transfer presses at roughly 100 strokes per minute and the Cup in straight sided progressive presses, 3-up at 350 strokes per minute (1,050/minute).  Peak usage has approached 300,000,000 units annually.

The technical challenge of producing the Valve Barrel is maintaining the bead and flange diameter tolerances while keeping flange from going out of round.