- Email: [email protected]
O-ring calculator available online
NEWS
IN BRIEF Federal-Mogul names new senior vice president of sealing systems The appointment has been announced of Ramzi Hermiz as senior vice president, Sealing Systems and a member of the Strategy Board for Federal-Mogul Corporation. Hermiz will lead the future of innovation and technology, as well as the development of the global market base to drive the Sealing Systems profitable growth strategies worldwide, according to Federal-Mogul’s President and Chief Executive Officer, José Maria Alapont. Previously vice president of Federal-Mogul European Aftermarket, Hermiz joined the company in 1998 when it purchased Fel-Pro Inc. Flowserve Corporation to acquire Interseal from Ludowici The purchase of Interseal by Flowserve Flow Solutions Division aims to help improve Flowserve’s service in the mineral and ore processing industries. The Interseal mechanical seal has been designed to operate with aggressive slurries in hostile environments. The company is located in Perth, Western Australia and had 2004 revenues of A$2.2 million (US$1.7 million). Wherever possible materials used are made in Australia, and local companies are used extensively as suppliers. Another year of good results for Burgmann In the last year Burgmann Industries has increased turnover in all areas of its business. Turnover increased by 5.7% in 2004 compared with the preceding year. The sale of the company to the Freudenberg Group not only secured its long-term future, but also laid the foundation for the alliance between Burgmann and Freudenberg’s partner, Eagle Industry. The two companies have formed the basis for a highly promising worldwide cooperation, according to Burgmann’s Managing Director, Professor Elmar Baur. GDX Automotive acquires SaarGummi Michigan-based GDX Automotive has announced the closing of its acquisition of the SaarGummi operations in Québec, Canada and in Mexico. The acquisition includes ongoing business in vehicle sealing, glass encapsulation and molded rubber products, totaling approximately C$100 million (US$80 million) in annual revenues. The purchase of the SaarGummi operations will increase business with General Motors, Volkswagen, DaimlerChrysler and Ford. Current SaarGummi operations in Canada and Mexico include six facilities with approximately 1000 employees. GDX has five plants in North America, seven in Europe and two joint ventures in China. It employs approximately 7000 people worldwide. The experience time-bomb is ticking Plimsoll Publishing is concerned that the experienced leaders of the UK sealing industry are approaching retirement age. More than one-third of the directors with more than eight years’ service are over 60. The consultancy’s latest report names those who have turned companies around. It is interesting to note that the majority of those working beyond retirement date are running financially strong companies.
O-ring calculator available online Busak+Shamban has introduced an online O-ring calculator to join its CAD On-line service. Designed to be quick and easy to use, the software will enable a user to calculate O-ring dimensions by simply entering installation specifications for an application. The program includes a sizing capability, recommendations on design parameters, and complete measurements. Results and comments may be printed, saved online or downloaded as a PDF. Contact: Busak+Shamban GmbH & Co, Handwerkstraße 5–7, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany. Tel: +49 711 78640,
Fax: +49 711 7864 344, Email: [email protected], Web: www.busakshamban.com
Editor’s comment: The calculator covers both radial and flange arrangements, and based on a brief sample it appears to be easy to use and helpful, with a number of prompts and also defaults to preferred options for items such as tolerances and groove radii. However, having tried it for real on a design that I knew to be marginal, it does not appear to have any form of flag to denote an unsuitable selection. In my case a groove fill of 111% was accepted without remarks. It also claims to have saved my calculation, but I am still looking for it!
Ultragrip bridges the gap from PE to metal for water main connection Advice from Viking Johnson has helped Balfour Beatty Utilities in the UK to complete a difficult water main connection between polyethylene and cast-iron pipes. The problem arose on a 45° bend during selective replacement of cast-iron with 250 mm MDPE on a 200 mm main in the center of Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire. A water pressure of around 9 bar made restraint essential, but a thrust block could not be used because of the spongy clay ground. To prevent any risk of the connection between the MDPE and castiron pulling apart when the supply was restored, Viking Johnson recommended the UltraGrip flange adaptor, which is supplied with grippers that hold the pipe more firmly as pressure increases. The fittings are also able to accommodate deflections of up to 8°.
The Viking Johnson Ultragrip pipe fitting, showing the gripper teeth that resist pull out of the pipe in conditions where other methods of restraint are not practicable.
Contact: Viking Johnson, 46–48 Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 0UD, UK. Tel: +44 1462 443322, Fax: +44 1462 443311, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vikingjohnson.com
Avon Group Manufacturing acquires toolmaker and molder The UK gasket and seals company Avon Group Manufacturing has acquired the toolmaker and injection molder P&D Manufacturing, for an undisclosed sum. Based in Corsham, Wiltshire P&D employs around 25 staff and
4
has 11 injection-molding machines, as well as extensive toolmaking equipment. It also carries out laser welding and assembly work. This is the third acquisition for Avon Group in the last five months. Following the purchase of
Precision Cut Rubber and the Czech plant of United Polymers, the company is now a £13m (19m) turnover concern with more than 200 employees. Avon Group Manufacturing is unconnected with Avon Rubber Plc.
Contact: Avon Group Manufacturing, 30 Vale Lane, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 5RU, UK. Tel: +44 117 904 3355, Fax: +44 117 904 3366, Email: salesadmin@ avon-group.co.uk, Web: www.avon-group.co.uk
Sealing Technology June 2005
IN BRIEF Federal-Mogul names new senior vice president of sealing systems The appointment has been announced of Ramzi Hermiz as senior vice president, Sealing Systems and a member of the Strategy Board for Federal-Mogul Corporation. Hermiz will lead the future of innovation and technology, as well as the development of the global market base to drive the Sealing Systems profitable growth strategies worldwide, according to Federal-Mogul’s President and Chief Executive Officer, José Maria Alapont. Previously vice president of Federal-Mogul European Aftermarket, Hermiz joined the company in 1998 when it purchased Fel-Pro Inc. Flowserve Corporation to acquire Interseal from Ludowici The purchase of Interseal by Flowserve Flow Solutions Division aims to help improve Flowserve’s service in the mineral and ore processing industries. The Interseal mechanical seal has been designed to operate with aggressive slurries in hostile environments. The company is located in Perth, Western Australia and had 2004 revenues of A$2.2 million (US$1.7 million). Wherever possible materials used are made in Australia, and local companies are used extensively as suppliers. Another year of good results for Burgmann In the last year Burgmann Industries has increased turnover in all areas of its business. Turnover increased by 5.7% in 2004 compared with the preceding year. The sale of the company to the Freudenberg Group not only secured its long-term future, but also laid the foundation for the alliance between Burgmann and Freudenberg’s partner, Eagle Industry. The two companies have formed the basis for a highly promising worldwide cooperation, according to Burgmann’s Managing Director, Professor Elmar Baur. GDX Automotive acquires SaarGummi Michigan-based GDX Automotive has announced the closing of its acquisition of the SaarGummi operations in Québec, Canada and in Mexico. The acquisition includes ongoing business in vehicle sealing, glass encapsulation and molded rubber products, totaling approximately C$100 million (US$80 million) in annual revenues. The purchase of the SaarGummi operations will increase business with General Motors, Volkswagen, DaimlerChrysler and Ford. Current SaarGummi operations in Canada and Mexico include six facilities with approximately 1000 employees. GDX has five plants in North America, seven in Europe and two joint ventures in China. It employs approximately 7000 people worldwide. The experience time-bomb is ticking Plimsoll Publishing is concerned that the experienced leaders of the UK sealing industry are approaching retirement age. More than one-third of the directors with more than eight years’ service are over 60. The consultancy’s latest report names those who have turned companies around. It is interesting to note that the majority of those working beyond retirement date are running financially strong companies.
O-ring calculator available online Busak+Shamban has introduced an online O-ring calculator to join its CAD On-line service. Designed to be quick and easy to use, the software will enable a user to calculate O-ring dimensions by simply entering installation specifications for an application. The program includes a sizing capability, recommendations on design parameters, and complete measurements. Results and comments may be printed, saved online or downloaded as a PDF. Contact: Busak+Shamban GmbH & Co, Handwerkstraße 5–7, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany. Tel: +49 711 78640,
Fax: +49 711 7864 344, Email: [email protected], Web: www.busakshamban.com
Editor’s comment: The calculator covers both radial and flange arrangements, and based on a brief sample it appears to be easy to use and helpful, with a number of prompts and also defaults to preferred options for items such as tolerances and groove radii. However, having tried it for real on a design that I knew to be marginal, it does not appear to have any form of flag to denote an unsuitable selection. In my case a groove fill of 111% was accepted without remarks. It also claims to have saved my calculation, but I am still looking for it!
Ultragrip bridges the gap from PE to metal for water main connection Advice from Viking Johnson has helped Balfour Beatty Utilities in the UK to complete a difficult water main connection between polyethylene and cast-iron pipes. The problem arose on a 45° bend during selective replacement of cast-iron with 250 mm MDPE on a 200 mm main in the center of Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire. A water pressure of around 9 bar made restraint essential, but a thrust block could not be used because of the spongy clay ground. To prevent any risk of the connection between the MDPE and castiron pulling apart when the supply was restored, Viking Johnson recommended the UltraGrip flange adaptor, which is supplied with grippers that hold the pipe more firmly as pressure increases. The fittings are also able to accommodate deflections of up to 8°.
The Viking Johnson Ultragrip pipe fitting, showing the gripper teeth that resist pull out of the pipe in conditions where other methods of restraint are not practicable.
Contact: Viking Johnson, 46–48 Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 0UD, UK. Tel: +44 1462 443322, Fax: +44 1462 443311, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vikingjohnson.com
Avon Group Manufacturing acquires toolmaker and molder The UK gasket and seals company Avon Group Manufacturing has acquired the toolmaker and injection molder P&D Manufacturing, for an undisclosed sum. Based in Corsham, Wiltshire P&D employs around 25 staff and
4
has 11 injection-molding machines, as well as extensive toolmaking equipment. It also carries out laser welding and assembly work. This is the third acquisition for Avon Group in the last five months. Following the purchase of
Precision Cut Rubber and the Czech plant of United Polymers, the company is now a £13m (19m) turnover concern with more than 200 employees. Avon Group Manufacturing is unconnected with Avon Rubber Plc.
Contact: Avon Group Manufacturing, 30 Vale Lane, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 5RU, UK. Tel: +44 117 904 3355, Fax: +44 117 904 3366, Email: salesadmin@ avon-group.co.uk, Web: www.avon-group.co.uk
Sealing Technology June 2005