Lathe-cut seals are circular sealing devices available in a diverse combination of polymers, sizes, and colors. Rubber tubes are the basic material used in producing lathe seals in desired thicknesses and specifications. These rubber tubes are manufactured either by injection or compression molding, extrusion with continuous vulcanization, or extrusion with steam cure vulcanization. This type of seal is a cost-effective alternative to O-rings or other squeeze-type molded seals.
Lathe-cut seals can be identified with their unique cross-sections such as:
- Square
- Rectangle
- Chamfered
- Angular
- V-Groove
- Tube
- Gasket Cut
- Cylindrical Cut
What Makes Lathe-Cut Seals a Better Alternative to O –Rings?
Lathe-cut seals are extensively used for several applications in aerospace, climate control, electromechanical, filtration, fluid and gas handling, hydraulics, pneumatics, and process control. They exhibit some unique features that make them a reliable alternative to O-ring seals in many applications.
Some of the advantages/features associated with these seals include:
- They are ideal for sealing high pressure applications
- They are suitable for radial and axial groove configurations
- They are inexpensive compared to O-rings
- They allow for easy installation
- They are designed with a large sealing contact area
- They possess improved gland stability
- They allow for easy seal retention without adhesives
- They can be manufactured with smooth surface finishes
- They require little or no tooling
- They need no flash or parting lines
- They can be manufactured to tight dimensional tolerances
- They can be easily integrated with several design changes
Manufacturers adhere to certain standards to maintain quality of lathe-cut seals. These standards include ANSI, ASTM, DOT, FDA, ISO 9001: 2008, Mil-Spec, RoHS, and SAE.
Choosing a Reliable Manufacturer Holds High Significance
As several manufacturers are available in the market offering various forms of lathe-cut seals, it is imperative to identify the best source among the list. Consider partnering with a manufacturer who uses only ‘sealing grade’ materials with the highest possible percentage of polymer. Also, find a manufacturer who is capable of custom manufacturing lathe-cut seals to optimize your exact applications. Moreover, he should be able to meet prototype and high volume production requirements efficiently within a short lead time.
To know more about such a reputed name in the industry who has hands-on expertise in lathe-cut seal manufacturing, log on to www.valleyseal.com.
