Article re-posted with permission from Parker Hannifin Sealing & Shielding Team.
Original content can be found on Parker’s Blog.


O-Ring Selection Made Easy with the Parker O-Ring Selector

O-Ring Selector Tool - O-Ring Selection

Two things are equally important for the reliable performance of an O-Ring seal: the right size and the right material. Parker’s new O-Ring Selector is an engineering tool that enables users to make the right material and size selections easily, quickly and reliably – in a single application. The accuracy of the results ensures the desired performance of the O-Ring in the subsequent application. This is primarily based on the fact that both functionalities – the material selection and the O-Ring size calculation – are closely interlinked. This achieves a new quality in calculating the total sealing system.

Overview of the O-Ring Selector

The Parker O-Ring Selector is divided into three main sections:

  • Service Conditions & Material Selector
  • Size Selector
  • Notes

O-Ring Selector Tool - O-Ring Selection - Service Conditions & Material Selector

The Service Conditions & Material Selector section is focused on mapping the material-related application conditions. Entering the operating temperature range, the desired polymer family and/or material hardness will take the user to the suitable material selection. The Advanced Material Selector enables experienced users to specify the operating conditions in even greater detail. Here the medium to be sealed can be selected from a database containing 2,500 media. In addition, a search for required approvals and conformities can be run.

O-Ring Selector Tool - O-Ring Selection - Size Selector

After the dimensions of the system hardware have been entered, the Size Selector will calculate the dimensions and tolerances of the O-Ring based on international standards. Due to the great flexibility of possible entries, the sealing system will be “modeled” realistically. Factors such as thermal expansion or chemical swelling of the sealing element which are necessary for a precise calculation are taken into account.

 

O-Ring Selector - O-Ring Selection - NotesThe Notes section makes it possible for users to add their own comments and remarks to the calculation. Following the O-Ring selection process, the data obtained can be converted into a PDF document and exported.

>>> Start imperial version
>>> Start metric version


This article was contributed by Dr. Heinz-Christian Rost, Technology & Innovation Manager, Engineered Materials Group Europe, Prädifa Technology Division.

Source: http://blog.parker.com/o-ring-selection-made-easy-with-the-parker-o-ring-selector