- Email: [email protected]
Winds of change are only possible with seal development
NEWS ...continued from front page Editorial Office: Elsevier Ltd The Boulevard, Langford Lane Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, UK Tel: +44 (0)1865 843239 Fax: +44 (0)1865 843933 Web: www.sealingtechnology.info Editor: Bob Flitney Tel: +44 (0)1799 501659 Email: [email protected] Programme Editor: Steve Barrett, Email: [email protected] Production Editor: Alan Stubley Editorial advisory board: Yves Birembaut (F) • Birger Dühring (DK) Cyril X Latty (F) • Amrat Parmar (UK) Richard F Salant (USA) • Wolfgang Schöpplein (D) Scott Svendsen (USA)
Subscription Information An annual subscription to Sealing Technology includes 12 printed issues and online access for up to 5 users. Prices: 1049 for all European countries & Iran US$1176 for all countries except Europe and Japan ¥139 400 for Japan (Prices valid until 31 December 2008) To subscribe send payment to the address above. Tel: +44 (0)1865 843687/Fax: +44 (0)1865 834971 E-mail: [email protected], or via www.sealingtechnology.info. Subscriptions run for 12 months, from the date payment is received. Periodicals postage is paid at Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. Postmaster send all USA address corrections to: Sealing Technology, 365 Blair Road, Avenel, NJ 07001, USA Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier Global Rights Department, PO Box 800, Oxford OX5 1DX, UK; phone: +44 1865 843830, fax: +44 1865 853333, e-mail: [email protected]. You may also contact Global Rights directly through Elsevier’s home page (www.elsevier.com), selecting first ‘Support & contact’, then ‘Copyright & permission’. In the USA, users may clear permissions and make payments through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA; phone: +1 978 750 8400, fax: +1 978 750 4744, and in the UK through the Copyright Licensing Agency Rapid Clearance Service (CLARCS), 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0LP, UK; phone: +44 (0)20 7631 5555; fax: +44 (0)20 7631 5500. Other countries may have a local reprographic rights agency for payments. Derivative Works Subscribers may reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of articles including abstracts for internal circulation within their institutions. Permission of the Publisher is required for resale or distribution outside the institution. Permission of the Publisher is required for all other derivative works, including compilations and translations. Electronic Storage or Usage Permission of the Publisher is required to store or use electronically any material contained in this journal, including any article or part of an article. Except as outlined above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the Publisher. Address permissions requests to: Elsevier Science Global Rights Department, at the mail, fax and e-mail addresses noted above. Notice No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein. Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, in particular, independent verification of diagnoses and drug dosages should be made. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical (medical) standards, inclusion in this publication does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement of the quality or value of such product or of the claims made of it by its manufacturer.
02129 Printed by Mayfield Press (Oxford) Ltd
2
Sealing Technology
A full engineering service and design capability is also available to provide bespoke solutions for bolt tightening and joint integrity problems. Hydratight will share the facilities with the regional hub for Enerpac products in the SE Asia region which occupies the adjacent building in the same development. Actuant Corp has also completed the purchase of Superior Plant Services L.L.C. (SPS) in a deal worth $57 million and will be managed with Hydratight. SPS has 5 operating locations in Louisiana, Texas and North Carolina and will retain all current management. SPS Gulf of Mexico and East Coast presence, customers, leading market position, and service portfolio were among the reasons for Actuant’s purchase. In addition, SPS is also owner of Patriot Tools a supplier of onsite machining tools and manpower for the Southeast Region of the USA. Contact: Hydratight, Bentley Road South, Darlaston, West Midlands, WS10 8LQ. UK, Tel: +44 121 50 50 600, Fax: +44 (0)121 50 50 800, Email: [email protected], Web: www.hydratight.com.
Two new materials introduced for the semiconductor industry
G
reene, Tweed has developed two new perfluoroelastomer materials for specific applications in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Chemraz 667 is intended to extend the life of seals in O2 Plasma Patent-Pending Stiction Technology. This new perfluoroelastomer resists O2-based plasma and improves seal lifetime. It is softer and also has lower stiction than typical compounds used in these applications improving handling and wear, especially in semi-dynamic applications. Compression set resistance up to 300ºC has been improved with a reduction in cracking compared to existing materials. A second material, Chemraz XRZ, is designed to provide improved fluorine plasma resistance while also maintaining good sealing force retention over an extended period of time at elevated temperatures. The material properties, combined with application-specific seal designs, is intended to offer the semiconductor and flat panel display industries a lower cost of ownership option. Marlin Braun, general manager of Greene, Tweed’s Semiconductor Business,
states, “Greene, Tweed believes partnership is the key to success, whether it be with our customers or with our suppliers. In working with Daikin Industries, a market leader in polymeric materials, in the development of Chemraz XRZ, we continue our history of innovation in the semiconductor market and help enable the future needs of the industry.” Contact: Greene, Tweed and Co, 2075 Detwiler Road, P.O. Box 305, Kulpsville, PA 19443-0305, USA, Tel: +1 215 256 9521, Fax: +1.215.256.0189, Email: [email protected], Web: www.gtweed.com.
Torque analyser helps fastener audits
M
ountz, Inc. has introduces a new model of its PTT Torque Analyzer designed for critical bolt auditing applications. The torque tester operates with the HSD sensor controlled hand torque multipliers manufactured by the company. The hand-held PTT Torque and Angle Analyzer facilitates and expedites the process of setting up and running auditing tool tests, as well as the transfer, analysis and storage of test data for Quality Control documentation purposes. The analyser can provide torque controlling, monitoring and documentation, to enable operators and engineers to ensure product quality, safety and reliability promptly in a variety of manufacturing and maintenance environments.
Contact: Mountz, Inc. 1080 N. 11th St. San Jose, CA 95112, USA, Tel: +1 408 292 2214, Fax: +1 408 292 2733, Email: [email protected], Web: www.etorque.com.
Winds of change are only possible with seal development
A
move to increase the efficiency of wind turbines has required seal development to meet the arduous requirements of continuous short stroke operation of control cylinders. The introduction of wind turbines that operate with continuous pitch control systems has put extreme demands on hydraulic
June 2008
NEWS actuators. The position of stall machines would shift only once every ten minutes but in continuous pitch wind turbine systems, the nacelle and angles of the blades constantly change in small amounts once every rotation, on average 15 times per minute. This means that instead of producing six long strokes per hour, the hydraulic actuator must now initiate nine hundred short strokes in the same period, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for a targeted 20-year period. Seals must operate at 250bar with constant pressure on the rod and differential side loads that control positioning. Wear has to be minimized and dynamic movement that is continuous in short strokes needs to be facilitated. Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has worked with AVN in the joint development of a sealing system to meet the requirements of continuous pitch systems. The specified solution is an arrangement of seals ranging from O-rings to specialist PTFE based geometries and bearing rings in Orkot. The configuration is specially engineered to enhance lubrication and optimize friction characteristics, while preventing any external leakage. Extensive testing concentrated on all aspects of assembly design in conjunction with the seal configuration. The aim of this was to maximise service life and achieve the operators’ 20-year target for turbine life with as little as possible maintenance. Some of the seals within the system are expected to achieve that time span without replacement, but it is impossible to guarantee it for all. The hydraulic actuators are therefore designed for easy exchange of the seal set. This is mounted in a module that can be quickly bolted on and off. The minimum life expectancy of the sealing configuration, allowing for the seal that has the shortest predicted life, is seven years, but replacement is recommended after five. Other than this, and routine rod replacement, the actuators should run without maintenance except for the systematic checking that the operators carry out for any leakage or loss of pressure.
Contact: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, Global Marketing & Communications, Handwerkstrasse 5–7, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany, Tel: +49 711 7864 0, Fax: +49 711 7864344, Email: [email protected], Web: www.tss.trelleborg.com.
New website is for energy engineers
V
ictrex has launched a Microsite dedicated to the energy industry which is designed to provide rapid access to application data on the PEEK polymer materials manufactured by the company. In a bid to improve access to materials data for the growing number of energy industry customers, Victrex has launched www.victrexenergy.com, a microsite designed to meet the specific needs of the energy industry. The site is designed to showcase how the company products solve the challenges and growing demands of the energy industry. Application data on the portfolio of materials is featured on the site. Robert Navo, Global Applications Manager for Oil and Gas at Victrex commented, “As the energy industry moves to more aggressive and demanding operating environments, technology is playing a significant role in the drive to reduce the overall cost of hydrocarbon recovery and develop alternative energy. The selection of the correct material is often a key component for success when seeking to overcome these challenges. www.victrexenergy.com enables the energy engineering community to make informed material choices, quickly and accurately.” Initially the site is focused on specific applications in the oil and gas sector. However, existing and potential applications for alternative energies such as hydropower, nuclear, solar, geo-thermal and wind power
Actuators for the latest wind power turbines can be expected to operate in continuous short stroke mode which creates arduous conditions for the seals.
June 2008
IN BRIEF Bal Seal reaches 50 To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Bal Seal Engineering Inc. recognised its history and the vision of its founder on May 13, 2008. Chairman Pete J. Balsells founded Bal Seal Engineering in 1958. Today, the company employs 430 people and provides seal and spring solutions to companies globally for medical, energy, aerospace and industrial applications. Successive awards demonstrate safety For the second successive year the Hampton manufacturing site of Fenner Advanced Sealing Technologies has won a prestigious Gold award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in recognition of it’s excellence in Health and Safety. David Rawlins, RoSPA Awards Manager, said “Fenner Advanced Sealing Technologies / Hallite Seals International Ltd has shown a commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of its employees and others. We hope other businesses and organisations will follow its lead and strive for continuous improvement in health and safety management.” Marketing seals becomes TV programme High Tech Metal Seals (HTMS) of Mechelen, Belgium, has featured in a Belgian TV programme which deals with marketing for small specialist companies. In the case of HTMS it featured the marketing of a specialised high quality technical product. Refrigerator manufacturers in court battles LG Electronics Inc. of Seoul, Korea and Whirlpool Corp. Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA are involved in acrimonious litigation in the USA concerning patent infringement on a number of aspects of refrigerator design, including an airtight door gasket. Unique award to seal plant In recognition of its outstanding performance in service and product quality, Simrit’s Nisku, Alberta, Canada facility recently received the first performance award ever given by the Edmonton Product Centre of Schlumberger Ltd. The Nisku facility was unanimously selected as the only recipient for this award. Pointing in the right direction Loctite, Teroson and Plastic Padding products are featured on a new double-sided selector chart for the rail industry from Henkel. One side covers the products that can be used for rail depot maintenance, while the other highlights track maintenance and repair solutions. Alongside the Rail Cat numbers for every product, an illustration shows how each is used in actual applications.
Sealing Technology
3
Subscription Information An annual subscription to Sealing Technology includes 12 printed issues and online access for up to 5 users. Prices: 1049 for all European countries & Iran US$1176 for all countries except Europe and Japan ¥139 400 for Japan (Prices valid until 31 December 2008) To subscribe send payment to the address above. Tel: +44 (0)1865 843687/Fax: +44 (0)1865 834971 E-mail: [email protected], or via www.sealingtechnology.info. Subscriptions run for 12 months, from the date payment is received. Periodicals postage is paid at Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. Postmaster send all USA address corrections to: Sealing Technology, 365 Blair Road, Avenel, NJ 07001, USA Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier Global Rights Department, PO Box 800, Oxford OX5 1DX, UK; phone: +44 1865 843830, fax: +44 1865 853333, e-mail: [email protected]. You may also contact Global Rights directly through Elsevier’s home page (www.elsevier.com), selecting first ‘Support & contact’, then ‘Copyright & permission’. In the USA, users may clear permissions and make payments through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA; phone: +1 978 750 8400, fax: +1 978 750 4744, and in the UK through the Copyright Licensing Agency Rapid Clearance Service (CLARCS), 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0LP, UK; phone: +44 (0)20 7631 5555; fax: +44 (0)20 7631 5500. Other countries may have a local reprographic rights agency for payments. Derivative Works Subscribers may reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of articles including abstracts for internal circulation within their institutions. Permission of the Publisher is required for resale or distribution outside the institution. Permission of the Publisher is required for all other derivative works, including compilations and translations. Electronic Storage or Usage Permission of the Publisher is required to store or use electronically any material contained in this journal, including any article or part of an article. Except as outlined above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the Publisher. Address permissions requests to: Elsevier Science Global Rights Department, at the mail, fax and e-mail addresses noted above. Notice No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein. Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, in particular, independent verification of diagnoses and drug dosages should be made. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical (medical) standards, inclusion in this publication does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement of the quality or value of such product or of the claims made of it by its manufacturer.
02129 Printed by Mayfield Press (Oxford) Ltd
2
Sealing Technology
A full engineering service and design capability is also available to provide bespoke solutions for bolt tightening and joint integrity problems. Hydratight will share the facilities with the regional hub for Enerpac products in the SE Asia region which occupies the adjacent building in the same development. Actuant Corp has also completed the purchase of Superior Plant Services L.L.C. (SPS) in a deal worth $57 million and will be managed with Hydratight. SPS has 5 operating locations in Louisiana, Texas and North Carolina and will retain all current management. SPS Gulf of Mexico and East Coast presence, customers, leading market position, and service portfolio were among the reasons for Actuant’s purchase. In addition, SPS is also owner of Patriot Tools a supplier of onsite machining tools and manpower for the Southeast Region of the USA. Contact: Hydratight, Bentley Road South, Darlaston, West Midlands, WS10 8LQ. UK, Tel: +44 121 50 50 600, Fax: +44 (0)121 50 50 800, Email: [email protected], Web: www.hydratight.com.
Two new materials introduced for the semiconductor industry
G
reene, Tweed has developed two new perfluoroelastomer materials for specific applications in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Chemraz 667 is intended to extend the life of seals in O2 Plasma Patent-Pending Stiction Technology. This new perfluoroelastomer resists O2-based plasma and improves seal lifetime. It is softer and also has lower stiction than typical compounds used in these applications improving handling and wear, especially in semi-dynamic applications. Compression set resistance up to 300ºC has been improved with a reduction in cracking compared to existing materials. A second material, Chemraz XRZ, is designed to provide improved fluorine plasma resistance while also maintaining good sealing force retention over an extended period of time at elevated temperatures. The material properties, combined with application-specific seal designs, is intended to offer the semiconductor and flat panel display industries a lower cost of ownership option. Marlin Braun, general manager of Greene, Tweed’s Semiconductor Business,
states, “Greene, Tweed believes partnership is the key to success, whether it be with our customers or with our suppliers. In working with Daikin Industries, a market leader in polymeric materials, in the development of Chemraz XRZ, we continue our history of innovation in the semiconductor market and help enable the future needs of the industry.” Contact: Greene, Tweed and Co, 2075 Detwiler Road, P.O. Box 305, Kulpsville, PA 19443-0305, USA, Tel: +1 215 256 9521, Fax: +1.215.256.0189, Email: [email protected], Web: www.gtweed.com.
Torque analyser helps fastener audits
M
ountz, Inc. has introduces a new model of its PTT Torque Analyzer designed for critical bolt auditing applications. The torque tester operates with the HSD sensor controlled hand torque multipliers manufactured by the company. The hand-held PTT Torque and Angle Analyzer facilitates and expedites the process of setting up and running auditing tool tests, as well as the transfer, analysis and storage of test data for Quality Control documentation purposes. The analyser can provide torque controlling, monitoring and documentation, to enable operators and engineers to ensure product quality, safety and reliability promptly in a variety of manufacturing and maintenance environments.
Contact: Mountz, Inc. 1080 N. 11th St. San Jose, CA 95112, USA, Tel: +1 408 292 2214, Fax: +1 408 292 2733, Email: [email protected], Web: www.etorque.com.
Winds of change are only possible with seal development
A
move to increase the efficiency of wind turbines has required seal development to meet the arduous requirements of continuous short stroke operation of control cylinders. The introduction of wind turbines that operate with continuous pitch control systems has put extreme demands on hydraulic
June 2008
NEWS actuators. The position of stall machines would shift only once every ten minutes but in continuous pitch wind turbine systems, the nacelle and angles of the blades constantly change in small amounts once every rotation, on average 15 times per minute. This means that instead of producing six long strokes per hour, the hydraulic actuator must now initiate nine hundred short strokes in the same period, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for a targeted 20-year period. Seals must operate at 250bar with constant pressure on the rod and differential side loads that control positioning. Wear has to be minimized and dynamic movement that is continuous in short strokes needs to be facilitated. Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has worked with AVN in the joint development of a sealing system to meet the requirements of continuous pitch systems. The specified solution is an arrangement of seals ranging from O-rings to specialist PTFE based geometries and bearing rings in Orkot. The configuration is specially engineered to enhance lubrication and optimize friction characteristics, while preventing any external leakage. Extensive testing concentrated on all aspects of assembly design in conjunction with the seal configuration. The aim of this was to maximise service life and achieve the operators’ 20-year target for turbine life with as little as possible maintenance. Some of the seals within the system are expected to achieve that time span without replacement, but it is impossible to guarantee it for all. The hydraulic actuators are therefore designed for easy exchange of the seal set. This is mounted in a module that can be quickly bolted on and off. The minimum life expectancy of the sealing configuration, allowing for the seal that has the shortest predicted life, is seven years, but replacement is recommended after five. Other than this, and routine rod replacement, the actuators should run without maintenance except for the systematic checking that the operators carry out for any leakage or loss of pressure.
Contact: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, Global Marketing & Communications, Handwerkstrasse 5–7, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany, Tel: +49 711 7864 0, Fax: +49 711 7864344, Email: [email protected], Web: www.tss.trelleborg.com.
New website is for energy engineers
V
ictrex has launched a Microsite dedicated to the energy industry which is designed to provide rapid access to application data on the PEEK polymer materials manufactured by the company. In a bid to improve access to materials data for the growing number of energy industry customers, Victrex has launched www.victrexenergy.com, a microsite designed to meet the specific needs of the energy industry. The site is designed to showcase how the company products solve the challenges and growing demands of the energy industry. Application data on the portfolio of materials is featured on the site. Robert Navo, Global Applications Manager for Oil and Gas at Victrex commented, “As the energy industry moves to more aggressive and demanding operating environments, technology is playing a significant role in the drive to reduce the overall cost of hydrocarbon recovery and develop alternative energy. The selection of the correct material is often a key component for success when seeking to overcome these challenges. www.victrexenergy.com enables the energy engineering community to make informed material choices, quickly and accurately.” Initially the site is focused on specific applications in the oil and gas sector. However, existing and potential applications for alternative energies such as hydropower, nuclear, solar, geo-thermal and wind power
Actuators for the latest wind power turbines can be expected to operate in continuous short stroke mode which creates arduous conditions for the seals.
June 2008
IN BRIEF Bal Seal reaches 50 To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Bal Seal Engineering Inc. recognised its history and the vision of its founder on May 13, 2008. Chairman Pete J. Balsells founded Bal Seal Engineering in 1958. Today, the company employs 430 people and provides seal and spring solutions to companies globally for medical, energy, aerospace and industrial applications. Successive awards demonstrate safety For the second successive year the Hampton manufacturing site of Fenner Advanced Sealing Technologies has won a prestigious Gold award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in recognition of it’s excellence in Health and Safety. David Rawlins, RoSPA Awards Manager, said “Fenner Advanced Sealing Technologies / Hallite Seals International Ltd has shown a commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of its employees and others. We hope other businesses and organisations will follow its lead and strive for continuous improvement in health and safety management.” Marketing seals becomes TV programme High Tech Metal Seals (HTMS) of Mechelen, Belgium, has featured in a Belgian TV programme which deals with marketing for small specialist companies. In the case of HTMS it featured the marketing of a specialised high quality technical product. Refrigerator manufacturers in court battles LG Electronics Inc. of Seoul, Korea and Whirlpool Corp. Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA are involved in acrimonious litigation in the USA concerning patent infringement on a number of aspects of refrigerator design, including an airtight door gasket. Unique award to seal plant In recognition of its outstanding performance in service and product quality, Simrit’s Nisku, Alberta, Canada facility recently received the first performance award ever given by the Edmonton Product Centre of Schlumberger Ltd. The Nisku facility was unanimously selected as the only recipient for this award. Pointing in the right direction Loctite, Teroson and Plastic Padding products are featured on a new double-sided selector chart for the rail industry from Henkel. One side covers the products that can be used for rail depot maintenance, while the other highlights track maintenance and repair solutions. Alongside the Rail Cat numbers for every product, an illustration shows how each is used in actual applications.
Sealing Technology
3