Machined seals are produced on demand

Using an unique process, seals from 5mm to 4000mm in diameter can be CNC machined in virtually any profile, using a range of 15 specially developed materials, and supplied on a next day basis. The new service is the result of Wyko teaming up with Economos ¨C Europe¡¯s largest producer of CNC machined specialist seals and ancillary products. Wyko has installed the latest generation Economos CNC machining centre and a raw material stocking facility at its Halesowen Seal Centre to serve both end-users, Wyko repair workshops and the national branch network. The Economos machine can manufacture hydraulic and pneumatic seals, rubber and plastic parts (including PTFE) without the need for moulds. All seals are machined to order and are available up to 4000mm diameter in a variety of class leading materials including polyurethane, nitrile, Viton, EPDM, PTFE, polyacetal and others. The manufacturing process is ISO quality accredited. Due to its unique nature it is possible for design engineers to specify custom-made seals without moving from their CAD station. All a designer need do is e-mail a drawing and the design parameters and Wyko will provide the optimum seal to suit their design. Housing machining diagrams and fitment instructions are also available for third parties. The machined seal service employs 15 specially developed materials and 170 standard seal profiles to meet the majority of customer requirements. There are also thousands of specialist profiles on file that can be used to create millions of combinations and manufactured seals to suit every application. The key to the flexibility of the system is the bespoke CNC operating software, which generates the optimum seal geometry for each batch of seals. Customers can also supply their own profiles if necessary and the system will optimise the geometry taking into account the size, performance criteria and material selected. The cycle time for one seal is as low as 30s and batch repeats are created in a fraction of that time, hence large orders up to several thousand of a seal type can be accommodated on the same, next day, delivery basis. Dedicated seal experts are on hand at Wyko to provide reference and technical support for the Economos operation. They are accessible via all 140+ Wyko distribution and repair centres nationwide.'