The Situation
The design engineering manager with a premium manufacturer of high-performance suspension components was experiencing poor seal performance. The incumbent x-ring was allowing too much fluid weep which drove short service intervals. The seal was also responsible for a high proportion of overall friction, negatively impacting user experience.
The Ask
Solve the leakage issue and reduce friction associated with this seal.
The Solution
Partnering with our best-in-class seal designers, Darcoid proposed an innovative asymmetrical u-cup molded in a friction modified specialty performance urethane. New injection molded tooling was required, and production capable prototypes were provided in 5 weeks.
The Success
A dramatic improvement in seal performance.
- Leakage was reduced by an order of magnitude, dramatically extending product service interval.
- Friction was reduced by >50% making a noticeable improvement in user experience.
- Ongoing predictable seal performance is assured regardless of influences inside and outside the supply chain by deploying Seal Performance Creep controls
