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Press Release
CIP Auto Sealing Optimized with Vertex™ 
Download Photo (jpg 440 kB) (Photo: DuPont Performance Elastomers) Datron PR 1750 “Vplus” dispenser in combination with DuPont Performance Elastomers’ Vertex™ seal technology dispenses a specially formulated SLX-10017 compound in a continuous bead on the substrate. Once cured, the compound offers high resistance to modern engine and transmission fluids in gasket applications. Automotive engineers looking for engine and transmission sealing solutions have limited choices — either fit pre-cut elastomeric gaskets or dispense cure-in-place silicone gaskets. But the former can be costly and time consuming to assemble, while silicone offers relatively poor resistance to oil and transmission fluids. The choice has just been simplified by DuPont Performance Elastomers’ optimised cure-in-place (CIP) Vertex™ seal technology in combination with precision dispensing from DATRON-Electronic GmbH of Darmstadt, Germany. Engineers looking for high performance sealing can now benefit from the economy of robotic dispensing technology, together with the outstanding fluids resistance of UV-cured high performance compounds based on DuPont’s Vamac® ethylene/acrylic elastomer. DuPont Performance Elastomers and DATRON have worked together to achieve excellent system accuracy and repeatability, essentially dispensing identical seals each time. This has been accomplished by integrating computer control of the robot and the dispensing pump, and is the key to making this unique elastomer dispensing combination possible. High precision positioning Robert Razum, product manager of DATRON-Electronic GmbH, explains how the company’s new DATRON PR1750 dispenser solves the accuracy and repeatability problems associated with earlier elastomer-based CIP systems: “The new elastomer-dedicated equipment we have developed in conjunction with DuPont Performance Elastomers’ Vertex™ seal technology is based on a mechanical system with high precision axes, and a digital servo system for dynamic and high precision positioning. In addition, DATRON-specific accessories — such as the XYZ sensor that compensates for workpiece tolerances, or a CAD/CAM unit that enables computer-aided design files to be read directly into the system — greatly enhance setup of new dispensing jobs. Safe and reliable dispensing is assured, aided by control of the volume dispensed. As a result, DATRON Dispensing Robots with Vertex™ seal technology offer a unique and economic route to high-performance CIP gasket production.” For automotive, electronic and industrial markets Vertex™ seal technology is based on high performance elastomers such as Vamac®, to meet the critical need for high-performance, cost-effective elastomer sealing in the automotive, electronic and industrial markets. The system is designed specially for operating environments where seals are exposed to elevated temperatures and aggressive fluids, and where minimal outgassing is demanded. Innovative Vertex™ seal technology can simplify production, reduce seal inventories and lower installation expense while upgrading the elastomer materials available to OEMs and component manufacturers. How it works DuPont Performance Elastomers has introduced SLR-10017, a specially formulated, ready-to-use compound based on Vamac®, for exclusive use with Vertex™ seal technology. It has an incorporated cure system, initiated when exposed to UV light, exhibits fast and efficient crosslinking while still maintaining excellent scorch safety, and offers safe processing at temperatures between 140°C and 160°C. Once cured, SLR-10017 is highly resistant to modern engine and transmission fluids, and yields only low volatiles, making it also suitable for use in the electronics industry. In combination with the DATRON PR 1750 “V plus” dispenser, Vertex™ seal technology eliminates the inconvenience of mixing two-part compounds. SLR-10017 is dispensed in a continuous bead on the substrate in the desired shape and dimensions, and is then cured using UV light. Since a post-cure is unnecessary, the substrate is not subjected to high temperature process conditions. Also, manual fitting is eliminated, ensuring rapid production of an installed elastomer part, with less scrap than traditional rubber seal production processes. Solving the fusion spot problem “We have installed a DATRON PR 1750/Vertex™ seal technology dispenser at DuPont Performance Elastomers’ European Technical Centre (ETC) in Meyrin, Switzerland, to demonstrate Vertex™ seal technology under realistic production conditions to visiting customers. The equipment is exciting because it solves the fusion spot problem — a key customer concern — making a reliable fusion point every time. Providing top quality substrate-plus-gasket assemblies is a critical step in convincing interested customers to adopt the new CIP seal technology for their products,” says Bernard Gottlieb, manager, Strategic Initiatives, DuPont Performance Elastomers . Extensive trials are currently being conducted at ETC, using Six Sigma methodology, to precisely quantify the performance of the process in sections and at the fusion point. These already demonstrate a high degree of accuracy and repeatability, and prove the commercial viability of the new DATRON PR 1750/Vertex™ seal technology system, Gottlieb reports. About DuPont Performance Elasomters # # #
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