UGV Gaskets for Unmanned Vehicles and Systems

Unmanned ground vehiclesUnmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) need rubber UGV gaskets that can help protect sensitive electronics from high heat. UGVs also need weather-resistant door and hatch seals, and custom gaskets for cameras and LED lights that can handle extreme temperatures while keeping out water and dust. Manufacturers of UGV electronics, vehicle bodies, and imaging systems must meet different requirements, but custom fabrication can solve sealing and insulation challenges across the UGV supply chain.

Elasto Proxy, a global supplier of specialty rubber products, custom-fabricates the rubber gaskets that unmanned systems need. In this article, the second in a series about unmanned vehicles, Elasto Proxy examines three types of UGV gaskets: thermally-conductive insulation, environmental seals, and rubber gaskets for cameras and LED lights. Part 1 of this series covered UAV gaskets. Future articles will examine seals and insulation for USVs, UUVs, commercial drones, and unmanned system accessories. (more…)

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UAV Gaskets for Unmanned Vehicles and Systems

UAVs GasketsUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) need rubber gaskets that can protect UAV components from environmental conditions, flexural fatigue, and electromagnetic interference (EMI). Manufacturers of antennas, avionics, and airframes face different sealing and insulation challenges, but custom fabrication offers the UAV supply chain a value-added solution. Elasto Proxy, a leading supplier of specialty rubber products, custom-fabricates the rubber gaskets that unmanned systems need.

In this article, the first in a series about unmanned vehicles, Elasto Proxy examines three types of UAV gaskets: UAV antenna gaskets, silicone gaskets with high flex-fatigue resistance, and EMI shielding gaskets. Future articles in this series will examine EPDM gaskets and foam insulation for UAV cases, and sealing and insulation solutions for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and commercial drones. (more…)

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Data Center Cooling Systems: HVAC Seals, Gaskets, and Insulation

Data Center Cooling SystemsData center cooling systems need to maintain temperatures that support the continuous and reliable performance of information technology equipment (ITE) such as blade servers, networking switches, and routers. If heat isn’t removed from the vicinity of sensitive ITE components, overheating can occur. If servers get too hot, onboard logic will turn-off computers to avoid damage. This protects data center assets, but results in downtime and loss of efficiency.

Data center servers can run at temperatures that aren’t high enough to trigger a shut-off, but doing so can reduce equipment life. Humidity levels and airborne contamination can impede performance, too. For data center owners, developers, and operators, the high cost of cooling is especially problematic. As Pacific Gas & Electric explains in its Data Center Best Practices Guide, data centers can consume 100 to 200 times as much electricity as standard office spaces. (more…)

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HVAC Maintenance and Replacement Parts: Custom Seals, Gaskets, and Insulation

HVAC MaintenanceHVAC maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations need replacement parts for air handling units, air conditioners, boilers, chillers, heat pumps, furnaces, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and other types of HVAC equipment. HVAC MROs also need to source these replacement parts in low-to-medium volume quantities that meet requirements for cost and quality.

HVAC original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can supply rubber seals, gaskets, and insulation, but at higher prices and in greater minimum order quantities (MOQs) than some HVAC MROs want to pay. HVAC aftermarket parts are available, but commodity items aren’t the right choice when a custom sealing and insulation solution is required.

Elasto Proxy supplies custom HVAC seals, gaskets, and insulation in low-to-medium volumes. HVAC MROs like our pricing, but they also appreciate our value-added manufacturing. In addition to custom fabrication, we offer design assistance and help with material selection. If you don’t have a drawing of the HVAC component that you need to replace, just send us a sample and we’ll create a CAD file. Elasto Proxy can recommend the right rubber and the most cost-effective MOQ, too. (more…)

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Railcar Products for Passenger Trains: Custom Seals, Gaskets, and Insulation

Railcar ProductsRailcar products for passenger trains include custom seals, gaskets, and insulation for vehicle interiors and exteriors. Railcar interiors require specialized rubber products that meet flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST) standards. Railcar exteriors need reliable sealing and insulation solutions that can withstand tough environmental conditions while protecting passenger health and safety.

For railcar designers and sourcing managers, finding the right rubber products can be challenging. Because FST standards vary, engineers may need a supplier who can help with compound selection. Procurement personnel may need a vendor who can meet tight delivery timetables, especially with mass transit repairs. Cost-effective production is important, but designers and buyers also want value-added manufacturing. (more…)

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Railcar Rubber Products and Flame, Smoke, and Toxicity (FST) Standards

Railcar Rubber ProductsRailcar rubber products need to meet flame smoke, and toxicity (FST) standards that protect human health and safety. Fires that burn railcar seats, floors, wall panels, and other interior components don’t just cause immediate injuries and fatalities. Flames can release smoke that obscures escape routes. Burning rubber that releases toxic gases can also overwhelm passengers and employees.

Suppliers offer compounds that meet FST standards, but design engineers still facing a challenging task. The flame, smoke, and toxicity standards for railcar materials vary widely. Designers need to familiarize themselves not just with different standards, but with standards used in different countries. By partnering with the right fabricator, however, you can source the right rubber products for sealing and insulation. (more…)

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Mass Transit Maintenance: Custom Rubber Products for Bus and Train Repairs

Mass Transit MaintenanceMass transit maintenance organizations need to make cost-effective repairs to buses and trains. Public transit authorities and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) companies also want to source replacement parts in low-to-medium volume quantities. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can supply these custom rubber products, but usually at higher prices than sourcing managers want to pay. The minimum order quantities (MOQs) may be more than maintenance crews need, too.

Elasto Proxy offers a cost-effective alternative to OEM pricing and MOQs. For custom seals and specialty insulation, Elasto Proxy supplies rubber products in low-to-medium volume quantities. In addition to custom fabrication, we provide design assistance and help with material selection. If you don’t have a drawing for the rubber part that you need to replace, just sent us a sample and we’ll create a CAD file. We can also recommend the right rubber and determine the most cost-effective MOQ. (more…)

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Military Thermal-Acoustic Insulation

Thermal-Acoustic InsulationThermal-acoustic insulation for military land systems absorbs heat and sound. These composite structures are used in engine compartments, doors, floors, side panels, and hatch covers. Elasto Proxy custom-fabricates thermal-acoustic insulation from foams, films, facings, and other specialized materials that meet your requirements. Our capabilities include water jet cutting for precise cuts, lamination for the reliable joining of different materials, and taping for thermal-acoustic insulation that’s easy-to-install.

For designers of military vehicles, it’s important to specify thermal-acoustic insulation that supports the mission. The big diesel engines that power military land systems run hot and loud. Heat and noise from the engine bay don’t just make the crew compartment uncomfortable. The air conditioning needs to run constantly, soldiers can’t hear each other over engine sounds, and the vehicle’s thermal profile is more susceptible to infrared detection. High heat can damage vehicle electronics, too. (more…)

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Military Vehicle Engine Bay Insulation

Military Land SystemsEngine bay insulation for military vehicles keeps noise and heat in the engine bay from reaching the passenger compartment. The diesel engines that power military land systems run loud and hot, raising concerns about solider health and safety. Warfighters need to be able to hear each other above engine sounds, and a vehicle where the air conditioning runs full-blast is less fuel-efficient. Hotter vehicles also have stronger heat signatures, making them more susceptible to thermal detection by hostile forces.

Thermal-acoustic insulation is important, but manufacturers of military vehicles also need to protect on-board electronics and instruments from sound-induced vibrations. Otherwise, these noise disturbances can shorten equipment life through component failure. Resistance to flash and fire supports the mission, too. Engine bay insulation must also resist oil and automotive chemicals, withstand washdowns with water and detergents, and support cost-effective fabrication. (more…)

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Mobile Equipment Rubber Gaskets

Rubber Gaskets for Mobile EquipmentRubber gaskets for mobile equipment provide sealing and insulation for doors and windows. They prevent the entry of outside air and water, but also absorb road and engine noise. For mobile equipment manufacturers, the right rubber gaskets need to provide both environmental sealing and acoustic insulation. Otherwise, unwanted sounds can enter the cab where the operator sits. Seals that admit wind, water, dirt, or outdoor temperatures are problematic, but so is mobile equipment insulation that fails to reduce noise levels.

Gasket quality is important, but design engineers and sourcing managers also need to consider material costs. This includes not just the gasket rubber, but also the method of attachment, such as clips, fasteners, or liquid adhesives. Engineers and buyers also need to consider the tools, skills, and capabilities of the personnel who will install rubber gaskets for mobile equipment. Outsourcing your gasket fabrication may seem expensive, but consider your true costs. (more…)

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