- Email: [email protected]
Silicones offer processing advantages for electrical connector seals
NEWS
Editorial Office: Elsevier Ltd The Boulevard, Langford Lane Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK Fax: +44 (0)1865 843973 Web: www.sealingtechnology.info Publisher: Greg Valero E-mail: [email protected] Editor: Simon Atkinson Tel/Fax: Tel: +44 +44 (0)(0) 1904 1904 655944 655944 E-mail: [email protected] Technical Editor: Bob Flitney Tel: +44 (0)1799 (0)1588 501659 661056 E-mail: E-mail:[email protected] [email protected] Production Support Manager: Lin Lucas E-mail: [email protected] Editorial advisory board: Yves Birembaut (F) • Cyril X Latty (F) Amrat Parmar (UK) • Richard F Salant (USA) Wolfgang Schöpplein (D) • Shuzo Seya (J) Scott Svendsen (USA) Subscription Information An annual subscription to Sealing Technology includes 12 issues and online access for up to 5 users. Prices: 1215 for all European countries & Iran 1273 US$1362 for all countries except Europe and Japan US$1427 ¥161 100 ¥169 400 for Japan (Prices valid until 31 December January 2012) 2012) To subscribe send payment to the address above. Tel: +44 (0)1865 843687/Fax: +44 (0)1865 834971 Email: [email protected], or via www.sealingtechnology.info. Subscriptions run for 12 months, from the date payment is received. Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier Global Rights Department, PO Department, PO Box Box 800, Oxford Oxford OX5 1DX, UK; phone: +44 1865 843830, fax: +44 843830, +44 1865 1865 853333, 853333,email: email:[email protected]. [email protected]. You may also contact contact Global Global Rights Rights directly directly through Elsevier’s home page (www.elsevier.com),selecting (www.elsevier.com), selectingfirst first ‘Support ‘Support & contact’, then ‘Copyright ‘Copyright & permission’. permission’. In In the the USA, users may clear permissions and make payments through payments through thethe Copyright Copyright Clearance Clearance Center, Inc., Center, 222 Rosewood Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, Drive, MADanvers, 01923, MA USA;01923, phone:USA; +1 978 phone: 750 +1 8400, 978fax: 750+18400, 978 fax: +1 750 4744, 978and 750 in 4744, the UKand through in thethe UKCopyright through the Licensing Copyright Agency Licensing Rapid Agency Rapid Clearance Service Clearance (CLARCS), Service 90 Tottenham (CLARCS), 90 Court Tottenham Road, London Court Road, W1P London 0LP, UK; W1P phone: 0LP, +44UK; (0)20 phone: 7631+44 5555; (0)20 fax: +44 7631(0)20 5555; 7631 fax:5500. +44 Other (0)20 7631 5500. countries mayOther have acountries local reprographic may haverights a local agency reprographic for payments. rights agency for payments. Derivative Works Derivativemay Subscribers Works reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of artiSubscribers cles including may abstracts reproduce for internal tables ofcirculation contents within or prepare their lists institutions. of articles including Permission of the abstracts Publisher for isinternal required circulation for resalewithin or distribution their institutions. outside Permission the institution. of thePermission Publisher isofrequired the Publisher for resale is required or distribution for alloutside other the institution. derivative works,Permission including compilations of the Publisher and translations. is required for all other derivative works, Electronic Storage including or Usage compilations and translations. Electronic of Permission Storage the Publisher or Usage is required to store or use electronically Permission any materialofcontained the Publisher in thisis journal, requiredincluding to store any or use article electronically or part of anyarticle. an material Except contained as outlined in this above, journal,noincluding part of any this article publication or part may of an reproduced, be article. Except stored as outlined in a retrieval above,system no part or transmitted of this publication in any form may be by or reproduced, any means, stored electronic, in a retrieval mechanical, systemphotocopying, or transmittedrecording in any form or or by any means, otherwise, withoutelectronic, prior written mechanical, permission photocopying, of the Publisher. recording Address or otherwise, without permissions requestsprior to: Elsevier written Science permission Global of the Rights Publisher. Department, Address at permissions the mail, faxrequests and email to:addresses Elsevier Science noted above. Global Rights Department, at the mail, fax and email addresses noted above. Notice Notice No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/ Nodamage or responsibility to persons is assumed or property by theasPublisher a matter for of products any injuryliability, and/ or damage or negligence to otherwise, persons or or property from any as ause matter or operation of products of any liability, methnegligence ods, products, or otherwise, instructionsororfrom ideas any contained use or operation in the material of any herein. methods, products, Because of rapid instructions advancesor in ideas the medical contained sciences, in theinmaterial particular, herein. indeBecause verification pendent of rapid advan of diagnoses ces in the medical and drugsciences, dosagesinshould particular, be made. independent verification Although all advertising of diagnoses material isand expected drug dosages to conform should to be ethical made. Although standards, (medical) all advertising inclusion material in this is expected publication to conform does nottoconstitute ethical a (medical) standards, guarantee or endorsement inclusion of the in this quality publication or valuedoes of such not product constitute or a guarantee of the claims or endorsement made of it by of itsthe manufacturer. quality or value of such product or of the claims made of it by its manufacturer.
12980 Digitally Produced by 02129 Mayfield Press (Oxford) Ltd Digitally Produced by Mayfield Press (Oxford) Ltd
2
Sealing Technology
Hermetic feedthrough assemblies create seals for conductors carrying high currents
D
ouglas Electrical Components Inc (DECo) of Randolph, New Jersey, USA, has introduced its StudSeal hermetic feed-through product family, which offers a selection of solid copper, heavy-current conductors sealed in a wide variety of standard housing styles and materials. The stud connectors from this product line are used in vacuum or pressure applications where high currents or high voltages penetrate a barrier. The customised ‘‘pass-throughs’’ are easy to specify and mount, and are pre-tested and shipped to the customer directly. StudSeal feed-throughs are compatible with a large variety of liquids and gases. These hermetically sealed studs are primarily used for the transfer of power into and out of a sealed environment at operational loads up to 1000 A and 15 kV. DECo says that it is able to seal virtually any size or style stud in a housing of the customer’s choice – from low-volume research and development quantities to hundreds of thousands per year. While similar industry feed-throughs are typically based on threaded metal housing designs, the company can provide epoxy-based radial O-rings that do not require threading, which speeds up installation procedures and reduces costs. The StudSeal products are used in air-conditioning and refrigeration compressors, vacuum furnaces and power distribution equipment. Specifically, they are targeted at transformers, hermetically sealed compressors, pumps, magnetic bearing flywheels and heater circuits. Contact: Douglas Electrical Components Inc, 5 Middlebury Boulevard, Randolph, NJ 07869, USA. Tel: +1 973 627 8230, Fax :+1 866 206 6916, www.douglaselectrical.com
FKM compound withstands extreme conditions in turbochargers
S
imrit, the industrial sealing division of Freudenberg-NOK Sealing
Technologies, has developed a fluoroelastomer material that is capable of withstanding high-temperature coolants and lubricants used in engines. Called 80 FKM 233877, this material is resistant to coolant which may reach temperatures of 180°C, while also withstanding motor oils containing aggressive additives. ‘Increasingly, high temperatures and simultaneous contact with coolant and lubricant are the growing demands that have to be met when sealing wet cylinder liners in and around turbochargers,’ explained Joel Johnson, Global Vice President of Technology, Simrit. ‘Standard FKM O-rings can be used only in cooling water at temperatures up to 125°C. Simrit’s coolant FKM O-rings can be used permanently at temperatures up to 150°C, and for short periods at temperatures reaching 180°C.’ Developed specifically to meet the strict requirements of internal combustion engines, this FKM’s long-term compression set in coolant reaching 150°C is superior to, and has been successfully tested against, a competitive material for a period lasting 1000 hours. Manufactured entirely without lead, the new O-ring material is also environment-friendly throughout its entire lifecycle – from compounding and processing to the finished product and ultimately is safe to recycle. Coolant O-rings made from the FKM were on display at MDA India, a trade fair for motion, drive and automation technology that was held on 6–9 December 2011 in Bangalore, India. Contact: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership, Simrit Service Center Plymouth, Industrial Sector, 47690 East Anchor Court, Plymouth, MI 48170-2455, USA. Tel: +1 734 451 0020, Fax: +1 734 451 5500, Email: [email protected], www.freudenberg-nok.com
Silicones offer processing advantages for electrical connector seals
D
ow Corning Corp has provided details of its complete range of silicone and fluorosilicone sealing materials for connectors used in automotive electrical systems. The firm says that specific performance properties and processing characteristics can be tailored to meet application requirements.
January 2012
NEWS Mitsuhiro Sakamaki, who oversees the company’s initiatives for meeting application challenges in vehicle braking, chassis, body, lighting and electrical systems, said: ‘Dow Corning offers many design and processing options with its wide range of innovative materials for effective connector seals and gaskets. This includes choices for both fabricated and form-in-place sealing components.’ ‘Our newest self-lubricating Silastic brand liquid silicone rubber (LSR) elastomers are designed to improve process efficiency and reduce costs for moulded-connector sealing components, such as grommets, weather-pack and mat seals, and peripheral seals and bushings.’ Sakamaki notes that heat-resistant silicone and fuel-resistant fluorosilicone materials options have been developed for design flexibility to meet exact application processing and performance requirements. Specific materials include: • Silastic high consistency rubber (HCR) elastomers, which are ready-to-use compounds and easily customised for special needs; • Silastic LSR elastomers that provide a balance of good mechanical properties with highvolume production capabilities; • Dow Corning GT pre-cured gel grommets and sealing strips, which improve connector sealing reliability, provide protection against corrosion and have the ability to conform, coat and ‘‘self-heal’; • Silastic fluorosilicone rubber (FSR) elastomers, which are used for connector seals and gaskets that are exposed to fuels and oils; and • Silastic fluoro liquid silicone rubber (F-LSR) elastomers, which combine fuel resistance with liquid-processing benefits. In addition, a range of Dow Corning brand silicone and fluorosilicone adhesive/sealants is available for use in manufacturing or service for form-in-place electrical sealing and bonding. Silastic and Dow Corning connector sealing technology provides strong mechanical sealing action against moisture, dust and contaminants. Insulation strength can be maintained over a wider temperature range than many organic elastomers can handle, claims the firm, and application-matched properties include resistance to harsh conditions, fuels, weathering, ageing and compression set. Contact: Dow Corning Corp, PO Box 994, Midland, MI 48686-0994, USA. Tel: +1 989 496 7881, Fax: +1 989 496 6731, Web: www.dowcorning.com, Web: www.xiameter.com
Company News Bal Seal bucks economic trend with announcement of major facility expansion
W
hile many manufacturers in the USA are shedding jobs, outsourcing to foreign countries or investing offshore, US company Bal Seal Engineering Inc is doing just the opposite – it is growing and adding jobs at home. Bucking current trends, the firm has announced plans to invest $45 million in a 12 700-m2 (137 000-ft2) manufacturing plant and equipment in Colorado Springs. With this expansion, the privately owned provider of custom-engineered, high-performance electrical contacts and seals will add around 210 jobs to the local economy, doubling its global workforce and its manufacturing capabilities. Annual sales are also projected to double to $150 million by 2016. ‘Our Colorado Springs expansion is a major milestone in our transition into a global technology and manufacturing powerhouse,’ said Rick Dawson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bal Seal Engineering. ‘This growth enables us to better serve our rapidly expanding markets while staying true to the engineering and entrepreneurial spirit that has been imbued into the organisation for more than a half century.’ John Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado, commented: ‘Bal Seal Engineering is an excellent example of American ingenuity and we are pleased with this announcement.’ ‘Bal Seal’s expansion in Colorado Springs will create jobs and continue the momentum our state has as an innovative place where businesses can thrive. We look forward to supporting Bal Seal as it continues to produce key engineered products for Fortune 500 companies.’ With more than 120 active US and foreign patents, the company applies its proprietary Bal Seal Canted Coil Spring technology and material science expertise to design, engineer and manufacture customised sealing, connecting, conducting and shielding products. With the new facility it is continuing its growth from a start-up founded in Santa Fe Springs, California, during 1958 by Pete Balsells, a young inventor and immigrant from Catalonia, Spain and his American-born wife, Joan. Now an octogenarian, Balsells remains actively involved as chairman of what is today a 460-plus
BOB’S BIT
M
y plan to write this month’s column has been delayed by about eight hours thanks to having most of the working day without power – caused by the storms that have covered most of the UK for the last two days. While we have got off fairly lightly compared with some other parts of the country it has been a timely reminder of our reliance on power of all sorts to go about our daily lives and work. The forecasts for increases in energy, and particularly electricity usage, can often be bewildering. The current enthusiasm for electric vehicles, as discussed in part in our feature this month, will presumably cause a further increase in consumption. And so, energy saving – to make sure that what we have is used efficiently – will become ever more important. In our own area of fluid sealing quite a lot of progress is evident. The modern designs of mechanical seals, with positive lubrication features, reduce power consumption considerably and, indirectly, also need much less cooling. The other major area of rotary seals – the humble lip seal – has also been undergoing a quite significant transformation with the energy-saving designs that have been introduced. These have been shown to save 70–100 W per seal and with the large number of lip seals in use this would soon add up to quite a substantial saving. Not a lot is published on reciprocating seals, but my experience suggests that modern polyurethane seals have considerably less friction, and wear, than traditional NBR seals. A further aspect of the improvements made to seal designs, in order to save energy, is that they then generate much less heat local to the seal and hence service life is also improved. However, these impressive developments are only a small part of the overall situation. A seal with impressively low friction will be rapidly overshadowed by design and operating factors of the entire system. Process pumps are often run very inefficiently, and steps are being taken to rectify this, as we learnt at the BHR Group conference last month. This is very important as pump operation uses a huge proportion of the overall electricity generated. While new lip seals can reduce the energy consumption of our vehicles by a few kilowatts this can soon be lost through inefficient driving. And so, there is still a lot we can do to help. Bob Flitney
3 January 2012
Sealing Technology
Editorial Office: Elsevier Ltd The Boulevard, Langford Lane Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK Fax: +44 (0)1865 843973 Web: www.sealingtechnology.info Publisher: Greg Valero E-mail: [email protected] Editor: Simon Atkinson Tel/Fax: Tel: +44 +44 (0)(0) 1904 1904 655944 655944 E-mail: [email protected] Technical Editor: Bob Flitney Tel: +44 (0)1799 (0)1588 501659 661056 E-mail: E-mail:[email protected] [email protected] Production Support Manager: Lin Lucas E-mail: [email protected] Editorial advisory board: Yves Birembaut (F) • Cyril X Latty (F) Amrat Parmar (UK) • Richard F Salant (USA) Wolfgang Schöpplein (D) • Shuzo Seya (J) Scott Svendsen (USA) Subscription Information An annual subscription to Sealing Technology includes 12 issues and online access for up to 5 users. Prices: 1215 for all European countries & Iran 1273 US$1362 for all countries except Europe and Japan US$1427 ¥161 100 ¥169 400 for Japan (Prices valid until 31 December January 2012) 2012) To subscribe send payment to the address above. Tel: +44 (0)1865 843687/Fax: +44 (0)1865 834971 Email: [email protected], or via www.sealingtechnology.info. Subscriptions run for 12 months, from the date payment is received. Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier Global Rights Department, PO Department, PO Box Box 800, Oxford Oxford OX5 1DX, UK; phone: +44 1865 843830, fax: +44 843830, +44 1865 1865 853333, 853333,email: email:[email protected]. [email protected]. You may also contact contact Global Global Rights Rights directly directly through Elsevier’s home page (www.elsevier.com),selecting (www.elsevier.com), selectingfirst first ‘Support ‘Support & contact’, then ‘Copyright ‘Copyright & permission’. permission’. In In the the USA, users may clear permissions and make payments through payments through thethe Copyright Copyright Clearance Clearance Center, Inc., Center, 222 Rosewood Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, Drive, MADanvers, 01923, MA USA;01923, phone:USA; +1 978 phone: 750 +1 8400, 978fax: 750+18400, 978 fax: +1 750 4744, 978and 750 in 4744, the UKand through in thethe UKCopyright through the Licensing Copyright Agency Licensing Rapid Agency Rapid Clearance Service Clearance (CLARCS), Service 90 Tottenham (CLARCS), 90 Court Tottenham Road, London Court Road, W1P London 0LP, UK; W1P phone: 0LP, +44UK; (0)20 phone: 7631+44 5555; (0)20 fax: +44 7631(0)20 5555; 7631 fax:5500. +44 Other (0)20 7631 5500. countries mayOther have acountries local reprographic may haverights a local agency reprographic for payments. rights agency for payments. Derivative Works Derivativemay Subscribers Works reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of artiSubscribers cles including may abstracts reproduce for internal tables ofcirculation contents within or prepare their lists institutions. of articles including Permission of the abstracts Publisher for isinternal required circulation for resalewithin or distribution their institutions. outside Permission the institution. of thePermission Publisher isofrequired the Publisher for resale is required or distribution for alloutside other the institution. derivative works,Permission including compilations of the Publisher and translations. is required for all other derivative works, Electronic Storage including or Usage compilations and translations. Electronic of Permission Storage the Publisher or Usage is required to store or use electronically Permission any materialofcontained the Publisher in thisis journal, requiredincluding to store any or use article electronically or part of anyarticle. an material Except contained as outlined in this above, journal,noincluding part of any this article publication or part may of an reproduced, be article. Except stored as outlined in a retrieval above,system no part or transmitted of this publication in any form may be by or reproduced, any means, stored electronic, in a retrieval mechanical, systemphotocopying, or transmittedrecording in any form or or by any means, otherwise, withoutelectronic, prior written mechanical, permission photocopying, of the Publisher. recording Address or otherwise, without permissions requestsprior to: Elsevier written Science permission Global of the Rights Publisher. Department, Address at permissions the mail, faxrequests and email to:addresses Elsevier Science noted above. Global Rights Department, at the mail, fax and email addresses noted above. Notice Notice No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/ Nodamage or responsibility to persons is assumed or property by theasPublisher a matter for of products any injuryliability, and/ or damage or negligence to otherwise, persons or or property from any as ause matter or operation of products of any liability, methnegligence ods, products, or otherwise, instructionsororfrom ideas any contained use or operation in the material of any herein. methods, products, Because of rapid instructions advancesor in ideas the medical contained sciences, in theinmaterial particular, herein. indeBecause verification pendent of rapid advan of diagnoses ces in the medical and drugsciences, dosagesinshould particular, be made. independent verification Although all advertising of diagnoses material isand expected drug dosages to conform should to be ethical made. Although standards, (medical) all advertising inclusion material in this is expected publication to conform does nottoconstitute ethical a (medical) standards, guarantee or endorsement inclusion of the in this quality publication or valuedoes of such not product constitute or a guarantee of the claims or endorsement made of it by of itsthe manufacturer. quality or value of such product or of the claims made of it by its manufacturer.
12980 Digitally Produced by 02129 Mayfield Press (Oxford) Ltd Digitally Produced by Mayfield Press (Oxford) Ltd
2
Sealing Technology
Hermetic feedthrough assemblies create seals for conductors carrying high currents
D
ouglas Electrical Components Inc (DECo) of Randolph, New Jersey, USA, has introduced its StudSeal hermetic feed-through product family, which offers a selection of solid copper, heavy-current conductors sealed in a wide variety of standard housing styles and materials. The stud connectors from this product line are used in vacuum or pressure applications where high currents or high voltages penetrate a barrier. The customised ‘‘pass-throughs’’ are easy to specify and mount, and are pre-tested and shipped to the customer directly. StudSeal feed-throughs are compatible with a large variety of liquids and gases. These hermetically sealed studs are primarily used for the transfer of power into and out of a sealed environment at operational loads up to 1000 A and 15 kV. DECo says that it is able to seal virtually any size or style stud in a housing of the customer’s choice – from low-volume research and development quantities to hundreds of thousands per year. While similar industry feed-throughs are typically based on threaded metal housing designs, the company can provide epoxy-based radial O-rings that do not require threading, which speeds up installation procedures and reduces costs. The StudSeal products are used in air-conditioning and refrigeration compressors, vacuum furnaces and power distribution equipment. Specifically, they are targeted at transformers, hermetically sealed compressors, pumps, magnetic bearing flywheels and heater circuits. Contact: Douglas Electrical Components Inc, 5 Middlebury Boulevard, Randolph, NJ 07869, USA. Tel: +1 973 627 8230, Fax :+1 866 206 6916, www.douglaselectrical.com
FKM compound withstands extreme conditions in turbochargers
S
imrit, the industrial sealing division of Freudenberg-NOK Sealing
Technologies, has developed a fluoroelastomer material that is capable of withstanding high-temperature coolants and lubricants used in engines. Called 80 FKM 233877, this material is resistant to coolant which may reach temperatures of 180°C, while also withstanding motor oils containing aggressive additives. ‘Increasingly, high temperatures and simultaneous contact with coolant and lubricant are the growing demands that have to be met when sealing wet cylinder liners in and around turbochargers,’ explained Joel Johnson, Global Vice President of Technology, Simrit. ‘Standard FKM O-rings can be used only in cooling water at temperatures up to 125°C. Simrit’s coolant FKM O-rings can be used permanently at temperatures up to 150°C, and for short periods at temperatures reaching 180°C.’ Developed specifically to meet the strict requirements of internal combustion engines, this FKM’s long-term compression set in coolant reaching 150°C is superior to, and has been successfully tested against, a competitive material for a period lasting 1000 hours. Manufactured entirely without lead, the new O-ring material is also environment-friendly throughout its entire lifecycle – from compounding and processing to the finished product and ultimately is safe to recycle. Coolant O-rings made from the FKM were on display at MDA India, a trade fair for motion, drive and automation technology that was held on 6–9 December 2011 in Bangalore, India. Contact: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership, Simrit Service Center Plymouth, Industrial Sector, 47690 East Anchor Court, Plymouth, MI 48170-2455, USA. Tel: +1 734 451 0020, Fax: +1 734 451 5500, Email: [email protected], www.freudenberg-nok.com
Silicones offer processing advantages for electrical connector seals
D
ow Corning Corp has provided details of its complete range of silicone and fluorosilicone sealing materials for connectors used in automotive electrical systems. The firm says that specific performance properties and processing characteristics can be tailored to meet application requirements.
January 2012
NEWS Mitsuhiro Sakamaki, who oversees the company’s initiatives for meeting application challenges in vehicle braking, chassis, body, lighting and electrical systems, said: ‘Dow Corning offers many design and processing options with its wide range of innovative materials for effective connector seals and gaskets. This includes choices for both fabricated and form-in-place sealing components.’ ‘Our newest self-lubricating Silastic brand liquid silicone rubber (LSR) elastomers are designed to improve process efficiency and reduce costs for moulded-connector sealing components, such as grommets, weather-pack and mat seals, and peripheral seals and bushings.’ Sakamaki notes that heat-resistant silicone and fuel-resistant fluorosilicone materials options have been developed for design flexibility to meet exact application processing and performance requirements. Specific materials include: • Silastic high consistency rubber (HCR) elastomers, which are ready-to-use compounds and easily customised for special needs; • Silastic LSR elastomers that provide a balance of good mechanical properties with highvolume production capabilities; • Dow Corning GT pre-cured gel grommets and sealing strips, which improve connector sealing reliability, provide protection against corrosion and have the ability to conform, coat and ‘‘self-heal’; • Silastic fluorosilicone rubber (FSR) elastomers, which are used for connector seals and gaskets that are exposed to fuels and oils; and • Silastic fluoro liquid silicone rubber (F-LSR) elastomers, which combine fuel resistance with liquid-processing benefits. In addition, a range of Dow Corning brand silicone and fluorosilicone adhesive/sealants is available for use in manufacturing or service for form-in-place electrical sealing and bonding. Silastic and Dow Corning connector sealing technology provides strong mechanical sealing action against moisture, dust and contaminants. Insulation strength can be maintained over a wider temperature range than many organic elastomers can handle, claims the firm, and application-matched properties include resistance to harsh conditions, fuels, weathering, ageing and compression set. Contact: Dow Corning Corp, PO Box 994, Midland, MI 48686-0994, USA. Tel: +1 989 496 7881, Fax: +1 989 496 6731, Web: www.dowcorning.com, Web: www.xiameter.com
Company News Bal Seal bucks economic trend with announcement of major facility expansion
W
hile many manufacturers in the USA are shedding jobs, outsourcing to foreign countries or investing offshore, US company Bal Seal Engineering Inc is doing just the opposite – it is growing and adding jobs at home. Bucking current trends, the firm has announced plans to invest $45 million in a 12 700-m2 (137 000-ft2) manufacturing plant and equipment in Colorado Springs. With this expansion, the privately owned provider of custom-engineered, high-performance electrical contacts and seals will add around 210 jobs to the local economy, doubling its global workforce and its manufacturing capabilities. Annual sales are also projected to double to $150 million by 2016. ‘Our Colorado Springs expansion is a major milestone in our transition into a global technology and manufacturing powerhouse,’ said Rick Dawson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bal Seal Engineering. ‘This growth enables us to better serve our rapidly expanding markets while staying true to the engineering and entrepreneurial spirit that has been imbued into the organisation for more than a half century.’ John Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado, commented: ‘Bal Seal Engineering is an excellent example of American ingenuity and we are pleased with this announcement.’ ‘Bal Seal’s expansion in Colorado Springs will create jobs and continue the momentum our state has as an innovative place where businesses can thrive. We look forward to supporting Bal Seal as it continues to produce key engineered products for Fortune 500 companies.’ With more than 120 active US and foreign patents, the company applies its proprietary Bal Seal Canted Coil Spring technology and material science expertise to design, engineer and manufacture customised sealing, connecting, conducting and shielding products. With the new facility it is continuing its growth from a start-up founded in Santa Fe Springs, California, during 1958 by Pete Balsells, a young inventor and immigrant from Catalonia, Spain and his American-born wife, Joan. Now an octogenarian, Balsells remains actively involved as chairman of what is today a 460-plus
BOB’S BIT
M
y plan to write this month’s column has been delayed by about eight hours thanks to having most of the working day without power – caused by the storms that have covered most of the UK for the last two days. While we have got off fairly lightly compared with some other parts of the country it has been a timely reminder of our reliance on power of all sorts to go about our daily lives and work. The forecasts for increases in energy, and particularly electricity usage, can often be bewildering. The current enthusiasm for electric vehicles, as discussed in part in our feature this month, will presumably cause a further increase in consumption. And so, energy saving – to make sure that what we have is used efficiently – will become ever more important. In our own area of fluid sealing quite a lot of progress is evident. The modern designs of mechanical seals, with positive lubrication features, reduce power consumption considerably and, indirectly, also need much less cooling. The other major area of rotary seals – the humble lip seal – has also been undergoing a quite significant transformation with the energy-saving designs that have been introduced. These have been shown to save 70–100 W per seal and with the large number of lip seals in use this would soon add up to quite a substantial saving. Not a lot is published on reciprocating seals, but my experience suggests that modern polyurethane seals have considerably less friction, and wear, than traditional NBR seals. A further aspect of the improvements made to seal designs, in order to save energy, is that they then generate much less heat local to the seal and hence service life is also improved. However, these impressive developments are only a small part of the overall situation. A seal with impressively low friction will be rapidly overshadowed by design and operating factors of the entire system. Process pumps are often run very inefficiently, and steps are being taken to rectify this, as we learnt at the BHR Group conference last month. This is very important as pump operation uses a huge proportion of the overall electricity generated. While new lip seals can reduce the energy consumption of our vehicles by a few kilowatts this can soon be lost through inefficient driving. And so, there is still a lot we can do to help. Bob Flitney
3 January 2012
Sealing Technology