Using inflatable seals for industrial work-holding tasks is an innovative way to grip and clamp parts in manufacturing and assembly processes. Inflatable seals are an unconventional but reliable method of work-holding due to their particular strengths in gripping on to: irregular part shapes, small or limited gripping surfaces, fragile components, and more. These systems are also often very simple, relying on an inflatable seal, a seal containment housing, and regulated fluid to achieve the task without more complicated mechanical pneumatic and control-powered systems.

Inflatable seals can be vulcanized or formed in nearly any shape or size, from circular to rectangular, to nearly any irregular shape much more economically than common mechanical gripping systems. Since internal pressure can be regulated to high or low pressures, depending on the use-case application and seal profile, soft or fragile surfaces can be supported from movement, where more rigid mechanical systems cause damage. Several elastomers can be manufactured to be non-marking as well, leaving part-critical surface conditions intact after processing. Manufactured parts can also be clamped internally or externally with flexible inflatable seal work-holding systems.

There are several common industrial applications where inflatable seals are used for work-holding purposes. Seals are used to hold fragile ceramic and glass components during cleaning and assembly processes, avoiding scratches to sensitive surfaces. Linear inflatable seals are used in packaging or marking processes to hold soft materials in place. Round and rectangular seals are often integrated into industrial automation end-effectors to hold and position parts on assembly lines. Inflatable seals are used very frequently in automotive intra-process and process handling, moving sheet metal assemblies from one stage to another. Many elastomers are also food-grade compatible for food handling operations.

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