Doug Sharpe
President of Elasto Proxy
Learn why the aerospace industry sources seals, gaskets, and insulation from Elasto Proxy, a custom fabrication specialist with offices in Canda, the United States, and China.
Did you know that aerospace manufacturing is flying high in North America? As reported recently in Industry Week, aerospace investment in the U.S. has increased by over $25 billion since 2012. Here in Quebec, Canada, where Elasto Proxy is headquartered, analysts are also optimistic. Maybe you knew that Boeing and Airbus are expanding production in the continental United States, but did you know that Montreal is one of the world’s top three aeronautics hubs?
Here in Boisbriand, just a short drive from Montreal, Elasto Proxy has grown alongside the aerospace industry. Today, Quebec is home to over 200 aerospace companies, research centers, and associations. Our aeronautics industry employs over 40,000 highly-skilled workers, and Quebec’s universities and technical schools train nearly 5,000 students each year. Bell Helicopter Textron, Bombardier Aerospace, CAE, and Pratty & Whitney Canada all call this part of Canada home.
Sealing Solutions That Last
As a growing, global company, Elasto Proxy monitors trends in both the civilian aircraft industry and in military markets. For over 25 years, we’ve used our technical design and custom fabrication expertise to solve sealing and insulation challenges in a variety of industries. Recently, a major defense contractor accepted our advice about hatch seals. Maintenance personnel don’t always have the rubber parts that they need in the field, and taped parts adhere reliably so that frequent replacements aren’t required.
By listening to the aerospace company’s needs and applying our application experience, Elasto Proxy won an award for taped parts. Using our compact taping machine, our Boisbriand facility can supply gaskets with either a heat-activated adhesive taping system (HATS) or a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). Developed by 3M, HATS features strong stress-handling and weatherstripping capabilities, making it a sound choice for permanent sealing and outdoor applications. HATS high-bond tape takes 24 hours to fully-cure, but provides the kind of adhesion and holding strength that aerospace companies require.
Aerospace Seals That Won’t Go Up in Smoke
Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to aircraft manufacturers can also benefit from our industry knowledge. For example, aerospace engineers may need to source materials that meet ABD 031, the Airbus standard for fire testing, flammability, smoke, and toxicity (FST). Boeing also maintains its own fire testing standards: BSS 7238 for smoke density, and BSS 7239 for toxicity. Elasto Proxy can help with compound selection, and then design and custom-fabricate fireproof rubber products such as seals, gaskets, and insulation.
Our solutions providers can also help technical buyers source elastomers that meet Bombardier SMP 800-C and ASTM’s Aerospace Material Standards (AMS). The AMS specifications cover a variety of areas, including transparent enclosures and materials. AMS standards apply to passenger aircraft, of course, but did you know that they apply to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), too? If you need EMI RFI shielding for UAV power sources and guidance systems, ask Elasto Proxy about its gasket fabrication capabilities.
Growing Globally
Like the aerospace industry, Elasto Proxy is growing globally. Since our founding in 1989, we’ve expanded to Ontario, Canada; Simpsonville, South Carolina; and Shanghai, China. Today, Ontario’s aerospace industry is the second largest in Canada, and 14 of the top 25 firms are located in Canada’s most populous province. From aircraft integration and assembly to helicopters, engine systems, and aircraft component manufacturing, our warehouse near Toronto can supply the rubber parts you need.
In the southern United States, Elasto Proxy’s sales office and warehouse isn’t far from Boeing in South Carolina, Airbus in Alabama, Gulfstream Aerospace in Georgia, and GE Aviation in North Carolina. China is flying high in terms of aerospace manufacturing, too. From our office in Shanghai, we’re ready to work with civilian aircraft manufacturers, domestic companies, and foreign subsidiaries. Shanghai itself is an aerospace center, and home to the Shanghai Aircraft Design and Research Institute (SADRI).
How Can We Help You?
How can we help you? To learn more about Elasto Proxy’s aerospace capabilities, watch this short video. Then, when you’re ready to strengthen your supply chain, contact us for high-quality seals, gaskets, and insulation.
