Custom Deep Drawn Metal Stamping of Blasting Caps / Detonator Shells for the Mining Industry

Blasting caps, also called Detonators, are devices that initiate the detonation of a charge of a high explosive. Blasting caps come in a variety of types, including electric, non-electric and electronic. A plain detonator consists of an aluminum or copper cylinder, which is closed at one end. The detonator has a powerful explosive at the bottom (secondary charge) and on top of that a primary charge. Detonators are used to initiate explosives in commerical mining applications, in connection with infrastructure and construction projects and in quarries.

Gem has customized its equipment, forming operations, labeling, cleaning and packaging to meet the specific needs of the industry. Annually, Gem produces 60,000,000 caps, or shells as they are sometimes referred to, up to 4″ in overall length from aluminum, copper, brass alloys and stainless steel. Quality is critical. Any surface imperfections or variations in ID greater than .0005″ can affect performance by bypassing delays or causing the caps to malfunction or detonate out of sequence.

Various inspections and performance standards / tests are conducted throughout the process to insure strict compliance with specifications and to insure accurate and safe operation.