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Avoiding Rubber Component Design Problems

The unique aspects of rubber product design require care to prevent unforeseen problems in the performance or manufacture of a part.

The following is a list of challenges commonly experienced when designing rubber parts, and suggestions for avoiding them:

  • Attempting to compress rubber (or overfilling the groove)
  • Designing a rubber part which cannot be manufactured
  • Lack of installation tools and/or employee training
  • Failing to consider all possible chemicals/processes which may contact the rubber component
  • Lack of sufficient lubrication for a seal or other dynamic rubber part
  • Not allowing enough room for a seal or rubber part
  • Using too small a seal or rubber part
  • Using a seal as a bearing
  • Not considering rubber thermal effects
  • Not accounting for seal friction and power loss

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