Loading...
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has introduced a new modular manufacturing concept for thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) bellows aimed at supporting small batch and application specific vehicle production requirements.
The company states that the new tooling approach enables custom bellows geometries to be produced with lower tooling investment and reduced fixed costs compared to conventional dedicated tooling methods. The system is intended for low volume and specialized vehicle applications where standard sealing components are not suitable.
Bellows are used in vehicle and industrial systems to protect moving mechanical components including shafts, joints, piston rods and axles from dirt, moisture and mechanical stress while retaining lubricants within the system.
Freudenberg highlighted TPE materials as a high performance alternative for demanding applications due to their abrasion resistance, durability and resistance to oils, greases and ozone exposure. According to the company, the material operates within temperatures ranging from -40°C to +140°C.
The modular tooling system allows custom bellows designs to be assembled using existing tooling modules instead of manufacturing completely new tools for each geometry. This approach is designed to accelerate prototype development and improve production flexibility for small volume projects.
One application example presented by the company involves a custom axle boot for a three way construction tipper vehicle operating in off road conditions. The drivetrain application required a non standard bellows geometry with nine folds and a diameter exceeding 130 millimeters.
Freudenberg states that the modular production concept supports rapid scaling from prototype phases to serial production while maintaining sealing performance, durability and fit accuracy for heavy duty vehicle applications.
