Monthly Archives: March 2018
- March 29, 2018
Orion’s Path to Innovative Bearing Protection Technology and the Issuing of their Patent
Since the opening of Orion Engineered Seals in 2011, their team has been working tirelessly to ensure they have the most innovative products available to increase the reliability of rotating equipment. Among their various product lines, it is their patented Bearing Protection Device (BPD) in its many design variations that separates them from their competition. In March of 2017, after a long yet rewarding process, they were issued a US PATENT for their robust and distinctly innovative Bearing Protection Device (BPD) technology. There is so much they could say about why their products stand above their competition, but today we're going to focus specifically on the team behind the BPD and why Orion has been so successful.
Todd Brickson, Director of Engineering has been working in manufacturing for over 25 years and is enjoying the fruits of his hard work. When designing the BPD device he had a few key points going through his mind.
- To create the most effective, innovative, and efficient design in bearing protection
- How can we be innovative in the market and create something that has never been seen before
- Develop multiple internal layers of contaminant control that would surpass any design available in the market today.
- March 27, 2018
Gallagher Fluid Seals recently made our Fluoroelastomer Basics webinar available on the website.
This webinar will discuss:
- Differences between an elastomer and a fluoroelastomer
- The important role fluorine plays
- Types of fluoroelastomers and their features and benefits
- Material performance comparisons
- Chemical resistance of fluoroelastomers
- Temperature ratings of fluoroelastomers
- Considerations when choosing the right fluoroelastomer for your application
What is an Elastomer?
An elastomer is made up of long chain polymers which are connected by crosslinks. Crosslinks are analogous to springs and provide an "elastic" (recovery) nature to the material. The crosslinks are relatively stable, but can break down under extreme temperatures and pressures.
- March 22, 2018
Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina - The waters of the Parana River tend to be wide and deep, with significant suspended debris and sand. Due to these abrasive conditions, rudder bearings on tug boats operating on the river are susceptible to rapid wear. The result is frequent dry docking for repairs. In response, Vesconite bushings have been successfully fitted to 20 tug boats working the Parana River. The combination of exceptionally low wear, self-lubrication and easy installation makes it an ideal material for this application.
Vesconite for Marine Applications
Vesconite, and Vesconite Hilube in particular, are ideal for the submerged and corrosive conditions of the marine industry. Suited to both dry and underwater applications, Vesconite’s internal lubricants allow for prolonged life where the setting is characterized by irregular greasing schedules, or no greasing at all. Unlike most bearing materials, Vesconite offers long wear life and a high load-bearing capacity with no distortion or delamination, despite the wet and abrasive working environment. Vesconite is easily removed and refitted, saving in costly downtime.
- March 15, 2018
Watch how easy it is to change out an Air Sentry GUARDIAN® desiccant breather on a gearbox.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VVGsBoQw6M[/embed]
GUARDIAN® is Air Sentry's industry leading breather series. Some models feature an isolation check valve that keeps exhaust air from depleting the desiccant and protects from volatile fumes and splashing fluids. The GUARDIAN's casing is constructed from Tritan®, a patented material highly resistant to impact and chemicals with a broad range of operating temperatures. These unique features equate to a longer life for your breather and your equipment.
GUARDIAN's modular construction and optional add-on
- March 13, 2018
Gallagher recently published its Failure Modes of Elastomers in the Semiconductor Industry White Paper, now available for download on our site. This white paper discusses common issues that occur with elastomer seals in the semiconductor industry. The excerpt below is the third section of our new white paper, discussing O-Ring Stretch, Chemical Attack, Plasma Cracking, and Permeation. To download the entire white paper, visit our Resources Page, or click on the image to the right.
Failure Modes of Elastomers in the Semiconductor Industry
High performance elastomers are found in many applications in the semiconductor industry (see paper titled Perfluoroelastomers in the Semiconductor Industry). Though perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) seals are formulated to meet the highest performance requirements of integrated circuit (chip) manufacturers, even these elastomers can’t solve every sealing application nor will they last forever in service. Additionally, end users need to understand subtle performance differences between perfluoroelastomers in the same product line. For example, one product may be better at minimizing particle generation while another may be better for high temperature services.
- March 08, 2018
Article first appeared in Power Transmission Engineering blog on November 14, 2017.
Freudenberg Examines Sealing Requirements for Heavy-Duty Equipment
The seals and the hydraulic systems of any piece of mining, construction, agricultural or other heavy industry equipment operate under extreme conditions. Variable temperatures, aggressive hydraulic oils, dust and extended periods of operation place seals and their tribological systems under continuous duress. A new generation of material, 94 AU 30000, expands the boundaries for polyurethane use. This innovative compound can be used in standard cylinder applications where higher pressures, larger extrusion gaps, reduced internal friction, improved hydrolysis resistance and compatibility with bio fluids, among other factors, are important. DMRW2 hydraulic wipers made from 94 AU 30000 and sheet metal and the availability of this polyurethane as part of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies’ Xpress rapid replacement part service are applications discussed in the following article.
Today’s extreme environmental climates place extreme demands on the material and structure of the hydraulic seals used to maintain the performance and operation of heavy-duty equipment. The excavators, tractors, backhoes and tunnel boring machines that grind through the earth every day must work harder, longer, cleaner and more cost efficiently than ever to feed the plant, build its infrastructure and harvest its natural resources.
Sealing requirements for these machines must now include high values for tensile strength and elongation at break, resistance to oils and ozone, high elasticity and abrasion resistance. Polyurethane materials (PU) have traditionally met these industrial requirements. In comparison with elastomers, PU has a four times greater capacity for mechanical resistance, as well as outstanding resistance to ozone. At the same time, it stands up well to the stresses of mineral-based fluids.
- March 06, 2018
GYLON EPIX™ is a family of gaskets that effectively seals a broader range of applications and is more forgiving during the installation process. It allows the end user to save valuable turn-around time, reduce re-work, and lower costs, helping them to finish ahead of schedule and under budget.
GYLON EPIX™ features a hexagonal surface profile that provides the torque retention and blowout resistance of a thin gasket and the conformability of a thicker gasket. GYLON EPIX™ Style 3504 EPX is a high performance, aluminosilicate microsphere filled PTFE sheet material designed for use in moderate concentrations of acids, and caustics, as well as
- March 01, 2018
In May of 2016, a cruise ship went into dry dock for service which included replacing a broken stabilizer. It was determined that the flap bearings from the OEM for the new fin stabilizer would not work, and needed to be replaced. CIP is known for its 24-hour dry-dock emergency support for replacement bearings. When the call came in CIP answered the request for this urgent delivery and provided the bearings the same day!
Stabilizer Systems
Oil leakage and lubricant discharges from marine equipment such as fin stabilizers are causing marine operators to find alternative solutions to previous standard grease and oil systems. Although the EPA has provided accommodations allowing the use of environmentally acceptable lubricants (EAL), the better alternative is to replace bearing grease systems altogether with water lubricated materials.
CIP Composite fin stabilizer bearings are water lubricated with the added ability to have axial grooves machined into the bearing, providing better water flow and lubrication. Columbia Industrial Products offer 24 hour emergency support, minimizing dock time. CIP Composites are easily machined onsite and can be freeze fitted or press fitted. Their knowledgeable team can provide technical support for the design calculations for interference and clearance fits for your application.