Knowing whether or not to seal your application is relatively simple. Knowing how to seal can be a challenge in certain operations depending on the environment and product being sealed. Here are a list of reasons of why an operation needs to be sealed and its benefits:
Does Your Operation Leak?
The simplest way to tell if you should seal your machines and operations is to check if there is any kind of fluid leakage, even if the only leakage is sanitary room temperature water that can cost money over time. Sealing any kind of benign leak is a matter of cost-benefit analysis. If the cost of a seal and replacing it as it wears down is higher than the money saved when the leak is nontoxic and not a slipping hazard, then don’t seal it. Realistically, those situations are extremely few and far between.
Most leaks will cost money over the long and even short term. Loss of product is often an easy way to ruin profitability. While your product may be benign, it can still become a health hazard if ingested through particulates in the air. The possibility of a slipping fall is also very real and can cause a worker’s compensation situation.
The leakage may also wear down the machines by causing rust, erosion, or additional friction in any moving parts.
Are Fumes a Problem?
Fluid isn’t the only thing that escapes through gaps in machinery. Fumes can be even deadlier, being invisible or slow-acting in their toxicity. Many products now require zero-emissions due to environmental regulations. Short term savings are not worth pursuing over potential fines or worker health issues. The toxicity of the emitted vapors is not the only factor to consider. Temperature can be an issue, as well. Extremely hot or cold air escaping machines can be dangerous to workers and the machines themselves.
Do Pressure and Heat Need to be Maintained?
Some operations require that their product be kept under certain pressure conditions. If a machine isn’t sealed properly, the pressure level will drop and may even cause a rupture if fluid or air escapes too quickly. If an application requires the escape of pressure, seals can be made to compensate for this need.
The same can be said for temperature. A seal can ensure that heat doesn’t escape or enter through a space in the machine, helping to regulate temperature.
Is There Friction?
When metal rubs against metal it wears down, vibrates, and damages machinery. So, even if there isn’t product loss or the escape of dangerous material, it may be necessary to seal joints. Dislocation and misalignment of machines can cause catastrophic damage and failure. Even just vibrations can cause these same issues over time. Seals can act as a buffer and dampener for these forces, saving the machinery from damage.
Is Contamination a Concern?
Fluids, solids, and vapors escaping aren’t the only concern. The inverse can also be just as big of a problem; invasive particles or liquids can wreak havoc on an operation. Contamination can cause massive loss of product, making the entire operation shut down so it can be cleansed from the systems. These contaminants can also damage the machines themselves. Keeping out material is often just as important as keeping it in.
Still Unsure?
Are you still unsure whether your application requires seals? Before moving forward you should be one hundred percent certain if you are going without seals. If you need help deciding how to seal, or whether you need to seal, consulting an expert is the right decision. Contact Real Seal today to discuss all your sealing needs.
