Less tooling cost and more parts.
Lathe-cut
is often a good molding alternative.
A sound method for washers and
sleeves seldom requiring tooling.
The most popular method for sleeves and washers
Rubber lathe-cutting is a method to produce a rubber washer or sleeve
with good precision, at high speed and efficiency.
The method described
A sleeve is produced by
extruding or mandrel-building, which is then cured. The cured sleeve is
then optionally O.D. ground to the finished O.D. The sleeve is then
transferred to a cutting mandrel which is mounted to a lathe specially
designed to cut the rubber to the desired washer thickness or sleeve
length.
Cost reductions
One cost-reducing options include
elimination of the grinding step when an extruded sleeve is used and
when extrusion tolerances are sufficient.
A second cost-cutting option allows for inline cutting of the sleeve,
eliminating the separate lathe-cuting step.
Both options may be
combined for maimum cost savings; however, utilization of normal methods
yield a part of excellent precision at very economical cost and with
minimal part-to-part variation.
Limitations
Most compounds can be lathe-cut;
however, there are limitations on the use of very soft and very hard
rubber compounds and some compounds do not lend themselves to grinding,
including natural rubber and urethane.
Infinite possibilities
Uses include seals, gaskets,
spacers, shims, belts (unsupported), vibration dampeners, and air and
liquid filter gaskets. Lathe-cut sleeves make excellent roll and roller
coverings.
Indiana Rubber and Plastic
5738 N Ewing St
Indianapolis, IN 46220
sales@indianarp.com