More often than not, the process of parts material selection and/or development can get fairly involved. To sum it all up it a nutshell, it’s similar to a game of pros vs cons where so many different variables come into play. In the case of TPE, the principle is no different. Factors such as meeting the performance requirements for a specific application, economic assessments, and processing issues, should all be reviewed in order to make the optimal choice. Looking at the qualities and considerations of this material can get this quest for the best off to a great start.

What is TPE?

Thermoplastic Elastomers, or TPEs, are flexible materials that exhibit the properties of rubber, but are processed like plastics. Suddenly when they first became available commercially in the 90’s, it was a whole new ballgame for the realm of engineering. TPE’s growth rate escalated as these high-performance materials continued to be used in a plethora of applications. However, just like with other materials, TPE’s scorecard comes with its share of benefits, as well as a few setbacks penciled in.

The Good, the Bad, & the Comparison

Because TPE is processed like plastics, the process is simplified and tends to produce increasing advantages. Due to the need for fewer steps, such as little to no mixing/blending required, TPE can be lead to lower costs and therefore, increased economic advantages. Not to mention, when compared to traditional thermoset rubber, TPE typically also offers:

• Shorter fabrication /cycle time
• No finishing or post cure required
• Lower rate of energy consumption
• Recyclable parts, can be used as “filler” in many applications
• Lower density that can lead to lower part costs

Although these features can make TPE very beneficial, there are some drawbacks to explore. One being, that the tooling to produce these materials can be expensive, especially if the geometrical design of the part is complex. Also, even though TPE materials over the years, they still haven’t caught up to rubber in terms of their physical properties. When comparing the two, rubber has superior tensile strength, compression set, and elongation capability.

Real Support for Real Solutions

Undoubtedly, there’s plenty of things to consider when selecting a material. But it doesn’t stop there. Even when that’s been covered, other factors exist that can possibly influence processing and impact costs. At Real Seal, we offer engineering and design support to assist customers in their quest for the best and a real solution to their elastomeric product needs. Please contact us if you are interested in support for your engineering application, or call us at 800-542-6162 today.

Original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, commonly have to deal with a multitude of factors and challenges. Due to the fact that the realm of engineering has become more specialized, these challenges can come at them from different angles. Many times, in order for OEM’s to stay at the forefront of technological advances, reduce engineering costs, or tackle aspects of product performance and function, they obtain some help from suppliers in the form of engineering and design support.

Creating Solutions, Achieving Results

Engineering and design support can be a fairly broad domain, and at Real Seal we cover this line of support in 4 main areas. First, is the area of Materials Engineering. Staffed with a polymer chemist, our facility has developed materials that are designed to work for specific applications and meet various criterion, such as environmental regulations and performance factors. Examples of our recently developed material options includes an EPDM rubber material with an improved tear strength and a HNBR material that is more cost effective. These enhanced material choices are available through us with not only the benefit of relevantly small cost, but usuallywe can also develop them significantly much faster than large manufacturers can.

Now onto the cutting edge territory of Design Engineering. Understanding that unique materials like rubber and plastics have the capability to act differently than expected, our facility can be instrumental in the design process by making recommendations that can have a big impact on OEM products. With innovative CAD 3D software, we create a virtual model of the specific application and underline the dynamics of it when in use. Based on those indications and our expert analyzation, many products have resulted in an overall improvement in their efficiency and endurance.

When dealing with the intricacy of tool design, things can get complex. The area of Design for Tooling offers valuable support in which the aspects of tooling, such as gate locations and parting lines, are reviewed and modified. In effect, these adjustments have the potential to save hundreds to thousands of dollars in tooling/fabrication costs that can amount to long-term savings.

The final main area of engineering and design support is Design for Assembly. Here, we review the product assembly process, consider the potential issues or problems, and then make suggestions based upon the findings. These problems may include improper part positioning, or left hand and right hand design variants. In any case, we use our knowledge and resources to recommend alterations that can have a big influence on assembly effectiveness and possibly expenses.

Offering Superior Support

Through Real Seal’s engineering and design support, many OEM’s have been able to solve specific problems presented to them, and achieve results that have benefited both their products and their bottom line. If you are interested in the possible solutions that can be discovered for your project, contact our experienced team of engineers today.

If someone mentions the word “silicone,” plenty of different images can come to mind. However, when it comes to the realm of gaskets and sealing systems, the use of silicone seals is rather specialized. Although its span of applications may be surprising, looking at the characteristics of the material and how it’s utilized, reveals that silicone is the real deal.

For Medical Applications

One of the ways silicone has been found to be useful is in various applications pertaining to the medical world. Organically based, silicone offers thermal stability, biocompatibility, and has a naturally low modulus (meaning that it’s flexible, elastic and soft), which works well for the needs of many devices. In terms of processing, silicone tends to require less additives and can be formulated for medical and FDA applications more easily. Here are a few examples of how it’s used in this case:

• Syringe plungers
• Baby nipples
• IV Connector seals
• Hearing aids (in terms of insulation & fit)
• Drug testing kits & Diabetes glucose level kits
• Device covers

Handling the Heat…& the Cold

Another specialized use of silicone has to do with the aspect of temperature. Due to the fact that silicone rubber maintains excellent heat resistance, it has proven itself suitable for several applications where high/dry heat is a factor. Oven seals and insulation, welding equipment, hot air exhaust systems and manifold seals all can benefit from silicone’s stability and performance in the face of increased temperature.

Even on the opposite side of the spectrum, silicone is still able to retain its physical properties when temperatures get low. Here, silicone reveals its capacity for being used in applications of high temperature range. For example, in electronic actuators, sensors, seals for instrumentation and in lighting applications, silicone is able to provide durability towards either end of the temperature gauge.

Catering to Shape & Aesthetics

Other applications have discovered that silicone rubber suits their aesthetic needs to a tee. Once again, its low modulus provides the softness that applications like button covers, handles, or display bumpers, desire. To enhance silicone’s aesthetic appeal, it typically adds the benefit of being able to be colored with more vibrant and brilliant hues.

Silicone can also be molded into elaborate or complex shapes. As a raw material, silicone can be more expensive than other rubber materials, but its unique properties can more easily cater to molding processes where pliable substances are needed. So, when certain parts like complex connectors are required, many turn to using silicone to get the job done.

Finding a Sound Solution For Your Application

It’s quite likely that now when the word “silicone” is mentioned, even more images will pop into your head. Specialized and unique, silicone rubber is the perfect fit for various applications that require its array of properties and characteristics. Here at Real Seal, we provide solutions that include quality silicone o-rings and silicone rubber to metal bonded gaskets. We also use our knowledge and experience to help develop materials, as a part of our engineering and design support. If you are looking for assistance with a rubber or plastic application, please contact us or call 800-542-6162 today. We’re eager to help you get on the right track to a real solution.

It probably comes as little to no surprise that products rely on various materials and components in order for them to perform successfully. But what may be a little less clear is the question of what’s rubber got to do with it? The fact is that engineered rubber materials have got quite a lot to do with it. For thousands of products every day, they rise to the occasion and overcome application challenges in which other materials fall short.

What’s Engineered Rubber & What is it Used For?

Engineered rubber materials have earned their status due to their unique physical properties and ability to meet performance objectives. Also referred to as elastomers, they provide toughness in the face of application challenges where pressure, wear, impact and other factors are concerned.

When it comes to rubber, several types are available. However, a plethora of variables are also involved that can affect performance, including formulation and temperature. Through the blending and combining of different ingredients, along with the 14 basic polymer groups, engineered rubber is formulated to meet specific design needs. Its specialized nature leads to its enormous span of application uses. Just check out a few examples of its range:

• Engineered rubber can be used for sealing in applications where liquid is manipulated, including fuel systems, valves, hydraulics and beverage dispensing.

• It can be used for sealing in applications that manipulate air media such as pneumatic systems, heat ventilation and exhaust, diaphragms and riveting equipment.

• The high-performance capabilities of engineered rubber also suit preventative or protective applications like impact absorption, wear resistance and crash stops, vibration dampening and the exclusion of dust debris.

• In addition, it can be used for functional applications such as insulators, isolators, drives and linkage parts, as well as aesthetic applications like mounts, caps, plugs and protectors.

Engineering the Solution

Undoubtedly unique, engineered rubber materials have proven themselves to be just the right answer to many application needs. This is especially true when materials like metal and plastic cannot fulfill the requirements. However, understanding the needs and parameters of a specific application challenge is just the beginning.

At Real Seal, we can be a real resource when it comes to engineering a solution. Known for high quality seals and seal systems, our San Diego facility also offers the service of engineering and design support. Utilizing an extensive knowledge base, and maintaining a focus on performance and economic factors, our engineers will strive to help develop a solution that meets your objectives. So, if you are looking for an engineered rubber solution for your application or have any questions, please contact us today or give us a call at 800.542.6162.

When one hears the word “silicone”, many images are conjured.  In the seal and gasket end of the world, however, silicone seals are used in a fairly limited range of applications.

High Heat – silicone rubber is often specified for higher (dry) heat applications, as it has one of the highest heat resistance ratings of any of the polymer groups.  Applications including welding equipment, hot air exhaust systems, hot metal insulation, oven seals and insulation, electrical insulation units, and manifold seals.

Medical Applications – since silicone is organically based, and has naturally low modulus properties with generally fewer additives required for processing, it can be more easily formulated for FDA and medical applications.  Silicone is widely used for baby nipples, hearing aid insulation and fit, IV Connector seals, syringe plungers, and device covers and insulators.  Since silicone is more inert than conventional materials, it is often specified in medical applications that mix or react with multiple fluids, such as drug testing test kits, diabetes glucose level kits, pharmaceutical applications, and other similar medically oriented devices and processes.

High Temperature Range Applications – Silicone retains its physical properties over the widest range of temperature, so even when the temperatures get very low, it will likely still perform according to design.  Applications including sensors, lighting, electronic actuators, and seals for instrumentation will perform over a higher range of environmental conditions without succumbing to temperature extremes on either end of the spectrum.

Aesthetic Applications – Silicone rubber generally possesses a unique low modulus characteristic that makes is desirable for applications that require a softer feel, like handles, button covers, display bumpers, or other devices that have some kind of engineered protection or aesthetic angle to their design.  Silicones also tend to color more vibrantly, which enhances their aesthetic appeal.

Complex Shapes – Although the raw material is normally more expensive than conventional rubber materials, silicone has unique flow properties that may be more easily molded into complex shapes.  For more complex connectors, electronic insulation parts, or other critical designs that require a more complex mold, silicone rubber is more tolerant of blow molding or other processes that require a pliable and highly moldable raw material.

Silicone rubber is widely specified for these sorts of unique applications, and Real Seal is qualified to help engineer and develop materials for more unique design requirements.  From silicone o-rings to silicone rubber to metal bonded gaskets, Real Seal has the experience and expertise to add value to the process for more highly engineered applications.  Please contact Real Seal with your rubber and plastic application projects, and we’ll help to steer you in the right direction.

Engineered rubber materials drive the performance of thousands of products every day.  The unique physical properties of rubber (elastomer) materials make them the preference for engineers who are tasked with overcoming engineering challenges that conventional materials cannot.  Examples of applications for engineered rubber materials include:

• Sealing in applications that manipulate liquid media
  • Hydraulics
  • Pump systems
  • Beverage dispensing
  • Fuel systems
  • Valves
  • Sealing in applications that manipulate air media
    • Pneumatic systems
    • Heat Ventilation / Exhaust
    • Impact / Riveting Equipment
    • Diaphragms
    • Functional Applications
      • Linkage Parts
      • Isolators
      • Insulators
      • Drives
      • Preventive / Protective Applications
        • Prevention of liquid ingress
        • Exclusion of dust debris
        • Impact absorption
        • Crash Stops / Wear Resistance
        • Vibration Dampening
        • Aesthetic Applications
          • Caps / Plugs / Protectors
          • Mounts

With (14) basic polymer groups, and thousands of possible material possibilities which can be engineered to meet an enormous number of criterion, engineered rubber materials can be used to meet a multitude of application challenges.  While Real Seal is primarily known for high performance seals and seal systems, we have engineered materials and designs for a wide range of engineered applications here in San Diego.  When metals and/or plastics don’t offer the kind of solutions you are looking for to meet performance objectives, Real Seal can be a valuable resource.  Give us a call and speak to one of our engineers about your application – chances are we can help develop an engineered rubber solution for your application.

The acronym PPAP has become more commonplace in industry, and is trickling down from automotive and heavy equipment OEM’s to smaller organizations, which are now adopting the concept.  One’s 1^st experience with PPAP can be harrowing, but if you break it down in to bite sized pieces, it can be handled without undue stress.

The PPAP “package” starts with a Part Submission Warrant (PSW).  The PSW outlines an overview for the PPAP, which includes the Customer, control document identification and revision, PPAP Level, and a proven production rate, which is to reflect the capacity of the process and tooling.  This PSW also serves as the official document to formalize the entire PPAP “package”, as the vendor must sign and take responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the details of the PPAP.

The next document is normally the Process Flow Chart (PFC), which is normally an illustrated flow chart showing the steps for the process, and the sequence of steps to complete the finished product.  This document should detail the process steps, and identify movement between departments.  It should also identify validation or measurement steps.  This document is normally used as the basis for setting up audits, and for differentiating other possible process options that may be chosen to produce a product.

Generally, the next document is the Control Plan.  The Control Plan follows the outline of the PFC, but gets into much greater detail regarding each of the process steps, and how they will be validated and ultimately controlled.  Control Plans break down the process flow into exact steps, and detail the quantity of product that will be checked when validation steps occur.  Control Plans also reflect what happens if one of the process steps is found to be out of control.  The Control Plan steps are important, as they are numbered, and will correspond to the same number in subsequent documentation.

The Control Plan sets the stage for the PFMEA (Process Flow Material Element Analysis), which is essentially a document that applies “Murphy’s Law” to the Control Plan.  This document asks the vendor to outline possible processing problems, and what the contingency/correction plan is for if/when they happen.  This document should rate the possible issues in terms of severity and likelihood of occurrence, and should be rated statistically accordingly.  If the process shows possible problems that should be addressed, the vendor should detail the specific steps it is taking to minimize the possibility of occurrence, and rank them before and after the minimization moves.  Vendors should be cautious, as this is the document that will raise the most questions from customers, and be the focal point of audits.

PPAP’s may vary in terms of sequence, but a report showing the dimensional results of the 1^st parts produced is normally expected, along with a statistical analysis of the results, referred to as Cpk.  Most customers will require that the dimensional results be provided per cavity for molded parts, and most customers require a Cpk of 1.67 or higher to show statistical capability in the process.  If the Cpk falls below 1.25, the process is normally regarded as not capable of meeting the control dimensions.

The dimensional results are generally supported with a Gauge R & R Study, which is a document showing that the measurement equipment used to capture the dimensional details provides consistent and reliable results, regardless of operator.  This document reflects measurements taken by (3) independent personnel with the same measurement equipment, and the results are captured and tabulated.  The range in any difference found in this document should be within (1) standard statistical deviation, which should reflect a capable measurement system.  If the range is greater than (1) standard deviation, the measurement system will likely fall into question.

PPAP’s normally will also include physical testing results and packaging specifications, as well as APAP documentation, and in some cases, capability studies.  If properly done, the PPAP process can be an advantage for both customer and vendor, and establish metrics for finished product that minimize the potential for non-conformances.

For most people, the acronym APQP does not resonate as anything important, but in the world of engineering, it has become a familiar point of reference.  Beginning with major industries like automotive and heavy equipment, APQP has trickled its way down to specific components, and many customers are getting sophisticated enough to ask for specific APQP data as a condition of doing business with them.  A general outline of what APQP means to the rubber and plastics industry would include a number of considerations.

APQP starts with a control document and raw material specification.  The control document must specify measurable product dimensions and tolerances, and accurately reflect constraints such as parting line restrictions, gate locations, allowable flash extension, and allowable radii.  It is practically impossible to include every conceivable constraint or to specify any conceivable outcome for the finished product, but generally accepted norms are published by RMA and SPE, and can be referred to by default.  The raw material specification should be objectively identified with ASTM (American Standard Test Methods) or better yet, with a specific material, as this will limit variables of different materials that still meet a specification.

The next step for APQP is to coordinate the results of the control document and specifications with a capable vendor, and develop an assessment of capability and competitiveness.  A wise engineer will request a “self-audit” of a prospective vendor, and ask them to score their strengths against a checklist of resources that will determine product quality.  At this stage, basic variables such as machine tonnage, tool size and complexity, and number of cavities should be reasonably determined.  These variables will begin to paint the picture related to product cost, and begin to standardize the competitiveness of the vendors being considered for full production.  Paying specific attention to control resources such as raw material test/validation and measurement test/validation should provide advantage, as the better a vendor can validate defined process steps, the less the likelihood that non-conforming product will be realized.  A capable vendor should be able to qualify the major variables, and provide a preliminary cost model.

Once the cost estimate is deemed acceptable as a part of the overall project cost model, the unit should be put through a more rigorous design and engineering review, including design for tooling, design for manufacturability, design for assembly, and aesthetics.  This is a prime opportunity to catch “downstream” issues before they become obstacles to production.  The opportunity is prime because vendor input is normally very valuable in determining these variables, and in developing alternatives and options to improve cost and control.  This will also lay the groundwork for the process flow, Control Plan, PFMEA, and Cpk if/when a PPAP is developed.

This design/engineering review should yield a control document and specification that balances required engineering and controls with cost control, and should empower purchasing with the most objective and well-articulated basis with which to negotiate terms with prospective vendors.  It should also determine the measurement features and controls for Quality Assurance, so that any validation that occurs at the point of manufacture can be reasonable replicated when the product is received, and apples are indeed compared to apples.

Real Seal has extensive experience in dealing with the sometimes complex task of product development, and can offer considerable value to customers with product development.  Rubber and plastics bring unique variables to the game, so the experience, systems, and guidance Real Seal can provide can equate to considerable long term savings.