The Challenge: Same O-Ring Size, Different Results
A large medical company approached Marco Rubber & Plastics’ engineering team with a failing o-ring on a medical clamp system. While the original batch of o-rings appeared to fit perfectly, the most recent batch failed in a shorter period of time due to surface abrasion. It was also reported that the clamp system was difficult to assemble.
The Solution: Putting Poisson’s Ratio to Work
Our engineering team examined the first and second batch of o-rings to both be within acceptable tolerances. Slight variations in o-ring size within the tolerance range were causing the o-ring to apply too much force on the assembly. After examining the system, it was also found that the o-rings were the correct fit for the groove.
Utilizing the Poisson’s Ratio of the rubber, a smaller o-ring size was recommended. The stretch coming from this smaller size caused the cross-section of the o-ring to shrink into more acceptable ranges while still using a standard o-ring size. This allowed for easy assembly and durable parts due to minimal friction.
The Result:
After manufacturing and testing the proposed solution, the new o-ring size was found to be more durable and easier to assemble. Thanks to our engineering team’s in-depth knowledge of o-ring sizes and technical areas, the customer challenge was quickly solved, and these parts are now purchased in high quantities.
If your organization is experiencing a challenge with an existing seal product, the Marco Rubber & Plastics engineering team is here to help. For more than 40 years, we’ve been helping companies in multiple industries around the world seal the success of their applications, and we can do the same for you. Rather than provide you with commodity sealing solutions, we’ll evaluate your application to provide the best possible product to achieve your performance requirements.
Connect with us today to speak with an application engineer.