including that of the end plate assemblies for example if the compression band is formed as a continuous structure or if it is preferable to join the ends of it prior to fitting it around the stack the stack may be slightly 34 over compressed 34 in a fixture one or more compression bands slipped around the stack and the stack released from the fixture if the compression band is sufficiently stretchable and resilient it may be stretched in order to fit it around the stack the ends of the compression band may be joined after it is wrapped around the stack in which case to ensure a tight fit it may be again desirable to over compress the stack in a fixture until one or more bands are fitted if the length of the compression band is adjustable the band may be fitted and subsequently tightened the longitudinal dimension of the stack can vary even for a fixed stack design due to slight differences in the thicknesses of stack components also during use the longitudinal dimension of the stack tends to change in some cases for example if the length of the compression band is not readily adjustable it may be desirable to use spacer.