Unique Problem With Air Tool...

[Pete C.]

No, plain AL commercial cookware is extremely common. Fancy multi layer cookware is mostly for cosmetics and marketing to consumers.

[dcaster]

Is it possible that the problem with the seals is that the surface of the seal has oxidized? If so using Nitrogen ( cheaper than Argon ) might be the answer.

You might also check with Exxon Mobile ( I consider them as world leaders in Lubes ) for food grade lubricants. Their best worm gear lube is a food grade synthetic.

Dan

[Wayne]

Joe AutoDrill submitted this idea :

For the shock on dirt bikes there is an o-ring covered by a teflon (I think) seal. The o-ring pushes the seal to the cylinder wall. The seal can be installed by warming in a microwave. It can also be cut with a Z shape. Usually the seal doesn't wear out, but the o-ring loses its elasticity over time. Those shocks get pretty hot. I wouldn't think the o-ring in your application would be subject to as much heat. Also they are sealing oil, not air, so a cut might be worse.

Wayne D.

[KD7HB]

Hi, Joe. I understand your problem. We make cables on occation for a division of Respironics. NOTHING can be changed or deviated in the manufacturing procedure unless it is documented and approved by FDA. Years go we wanted to replace a machined delrin bracket with an injection molded bracket. No way!

My suggestion is to track down an engineer type, possibly chemical engineer, at the company you get the rubber seals from. Perhaps they can formulate a rubber seal material that is self lubricating. Or they may have a slightly different material mix that will let the seals last longer.

I bet an engineer would just love to work on your problem, but you have to get to the actual manufacturer, not just a rep or distributor. I hope the seals are US made. Not because foreign are inferior, but because you can''t be sure you will ALWAYS get the same mix of raw materials.

I a sure you will keep us informed.

Paul Drahn, President Jodeco, Inc.

[Steve W.]

In that case you could likely use a split Teflon ring that has an overlapping joint.

[Bill Noble]

how about synthetic blood plasma?

[Steve Lusardi]

Joe, I am certainly not an expert, but I may have a solution. If possible, you should consider adding another seal or "O" ring, not to seal, but to lubricate. It is possible to get rubber that is molded with silicone imbedded in the rubber. You can occasionally see windshield wipers made with the stuff and they last much longer than standard rubber, but they also leave a microscopic film of silicone on the windshield that acts as a water repellant. Perhaps this is worth pursuing. Steve

[Bob AZ]

Joe

There is a product called Surgical Grease. Hospitals keep it on hand. I suspect that it simply is a good grease that is sterliized.

Bob AZ

[LD]

IIRC, it also will not burn. Important for O2 fittings.

[Richard J Kinch]

What do they lube one-time hypodermic syringes with, if anything?

[Upscale]

Take a look through this lubricant guide.

[Joe AutoDrill]

No. No certification. They bought without telling us the specific nature of the application and used the machines (multiple) for a few years now. We always wondered why we got them back every so often for rebuilds and they would work absolutely perfectly here with just a bit of work... And a new seal kit every time.

Now that we know what they are doing, we have simply said, "We were not told of this but will do all we can to improve it for you."

CLIP

Sorta... Isolation at the moment with a list of suggestions possibly to be tried here or provided to the end user depending on what they wind up being...

[Joe AutoDrill]

Buna - Rubber. Standard Parker item. Nothing special. One cup seal and one cup seal with wiper lip.

Regards, Joe Agro, Jr. [phone]

01.908.542.0244 Automatic / Pneumatic Drills: Spindle Drills: Tapping: Site:

[Joe AutoDrill]

LOL. Maybe. Off to Body Depot in a few to get some to try it. :)

[Joe AutoDrill]

Thanks for all the ideas and tips. Still monitoring the posts but I should probably get back to work sooner or later so I'll respond sporadically as I see something jump out at me.

Thanks again folks!!!

[Leon]

Truthfully, I'd say if the machines lasts 2-3 years with out lube they should simply replace or overhaul the equipment, like most every thing that the medical industry consumes their tools/equipment goes out for repaired regularly.

[J. Clarke]

If you're working with Parker best thing to do is give 'em a call--they're very big boys and they've got a bunch of formulations including some that are pretty exotic. Odds are that they'll have just the thing for your application.

[Joe AutoDrill]

Went to them before coming here. Because our application is in a closed groove, there weren't many options. ...Or maybe I just got a bum rep. with little knowledge of products. :)

[dpb]

... Thass good...had too many times where something was tried to get finessed by customer utilities by "suggesting" we (the vendor) make a change that would have the end result of us being the ones who were the ones w/ a compliance violation w/ NRC.

Wouldn't want to see a good guy trying to help somebody out find themselves in a wringer unwittingly.

--

[J. Clarke]

OK, stupid question time--is there any way that for this specific application you could use an O-ring either directly or with a machined adapter?

If so, then that opens up a lot of choices.