If you need a custom design seal profile, DTi can model and evaluate a design in hours or even minutes, minimizing critical lead times and production costs.

DTi uses Finite Element Analysis (FEA) – a computer-aided engineering (CAE) tool to analyze how a design reacts under real-world conditions.  It becomes CFEA – Collaborative Finite Element Analysis, as DTi works closely with clients. This technique can verify the design before progressing into the initial FAI production test and volume production. A big time and cost savings.

CFEA is critically important, as many variables may affect sealing performance. During the collaborative review process, customer application data is paired with DTi's knowledge of the right materials.

Here are two examples of how DTI has leveraged its CFEA capabilities on two rail sealing solutions for two different OEMs..

It should be noted that from initial inquiry and discussion to FAI production, review, test, and approval, and volume production all took place within a 7-10 week window!

 

#1 Locomotive Door Seal

From the client's point of view, the seal was required to be Flame, Smoke, and Toxicity (FST) compliant and be resistant to high heat, UV exposure, & corrosion.  It also had to have high edge retention and be able to conform to the various radii in the application.

Those compliance requirements affected what materials could be used.  The best fit in DTi's product range was Seal-Fast™ Silicone, which was FST compliant, had a stainless steel substrate for edge retention and conformance, plus high heat, UV exposure, and corrosion resistance.

With the material defined, the FEA analysis included an analysis of Compression Load Deflections (CLD’s).  To verify the design before the initial FAI production test, approval, and subsequent volume production.

High-Performance-Enclosures-and-Doors-SealsCFEA verified that the Silicone edge seal maintained elastic properties throughout prolonged repeated compressive stress.

The solution increased longevity from the previously used seal, maintaining a tight seal under low and high compressive forces created from opening and closing exterior access doors in changing environmental conditions.

#2: Coach Window Seal

This window seal was particularly challenging as the glass was convex in shape and the corner radii were designed before the need for a seal was even considered. That complexity created design issues for material wall thickness, wing seal thickness and length.  It could only be done by a customized seal profile.

Again, the OEM needed the seal to be Flame, Smoke, and Toxicity (FST) compliant, resistant to high heat, UV exposure, & corrosion, and have high edge retention.

During consultations, the wing seal style was selected over a typical bulb seal.  This gave the customer further application flexibility to make the design more universal across other rail coach windows.

With the material defined, the FEA analysis included an analysis of Compression Load Deflections (CLD’s), which verified that the Seal-Fast Silicone edge seal maintained elastic properties throughout prolonged repeated compressive stress.

 

 

 

Technical application engineers are available to discuss your requirements.

DTI has materials that meet FST, UV/High heat/corrosion standards, FMVSS, FDA (Pharma, Lab, and food service), and a variety of ASTM standards. Options include a CRS or Aluminum substrate with Silicone, EPDM, and PVC.

See more information on Seal-Fast Silicone here 

Free samples can be requested here.