Archives: Press Release

Hypertac connects with DP Seals for Interfacial Seals

Precision rubber mouldings - Interfacial Connector Seal

DP Seals is supplying Hypertac with interfacial seals for its high-density PCB connectors. This was one of DP Seals toughest tooling tests to ensure the accuracy and precision demanded in challenging applications such as aerospace and defence, mass transit and marine.

Hypertac is recognised worldwide as one of the most reliable suppliers of high performance interconnect solutions for the most demanding applications. For the fluorosilicone interfacial seals in its latest generation high-density PCB signal connectors, the company turned to DP Seals.

The seal needed to ensure electrical isolation and maintain mating tolerances between the connector pins as well as high reliability protection against fluid ingress.

“We were extremely impressed with DP Seals’ materials knowledge and manufacturing quality, and the pro-active role they took in helping us develop the solution.”

Anthony Hall, lead engineer, Hypertac

Hypertac’s PCB connectors use 0.6mm pins in multiple rows on a 0.953mm staggered pitch, dimensions the tool needed to match accurately whilst adding detail essential in ensuring a tight seal against dirt, oil and other liquids; the seal itself is just 3mm thick.

To meet this demanding requirement, DP Seals fabricated a set of tools where each individual connector pin is represented by a custom-designed 0.7mm minimum diameter tool steel pin, held in place with a M0.6 countersunk screw just 2.5mm long.

“Hypertac gave us one of our most demanding tooling tests for many years. We even had to manufacture our own Philips screwdrivers for the job”

Russell Willis, Tool Room Manager, DP Seals

Rubber components for electronics and instruments

DP seals now also manufactures very small, 4mm x 2mm, pin isolators that exhibit complex sub-millimetre detailing for Hypertac’s latest military connectors.

About Hypertac

Hypertac, a part of Smiths Interconnect, is a leading supplier of high reliability, high performance interconnect solutions and electrical/ electronic connectors. The company has particular expertise in the rapid manufacture of innovative interconnect solutions for applications in military, aerospace, industrial, mass transit, test & measurement and medical electronics markets.. More information is available at hypertac.com

DP Seals gains AS 9100 Certification

DP Seals, one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of precision custom rubber seals and mouldings, has achieved AS 9100 certification, the quality management standard specifically for the aviation, space and defence industries. Achieving this demanding quality standard means DP Seals joins the very select group of AS 9100-certified custom rubber moulding companies around the world.

AS 9100 goes beyond the requirements of ISO 9000 to define a single, common quality-management system for the whole aerospace industry, satisfying DOD, NASA and FAA quality requirements. To achieve AS 9100, DP Seals needed to enhance its existing ISO 9000, 14000 and 18000-certified quality management system in the areas of employee training, customer interaction, manufacturing processes, materials and services, purchasing and product delivery.

“It is a tribute to the extremely talented team at DP Seals that we were able to implement and achieve AS 9100 certification in less than a year. We always seek to achieve the highest standards of quality in everything we do, and this demonstrates the commitment throughout the company.”

Andrew Piper, Technical Director

Certification to AS 9100 automatically upgrades the company’s ISO 9001 quality management system, ensuring non-aerospace customers also benefit from the higher level of quality assurance, customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. The certification covers both DP Seals’ main manufacturing site and satellite operation.

AS 9100, introduced by the International Aerospace Quality Group, is the internationally recognised, quality standard specific to the aeronautics industry. Based on ISO 9000, AS 9100 contains over 80 additional requirements and focuses particular on quality, safety and technology across all industry disciplines – civil and military – and throughout the entire supply chain.

Known as EN 9100 in Europe, AS 9100 in North America and JISQ 9100 in Japan, the standard is strongly supported and adhered to by major manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing, General Electric Aircraft Engines, NASA and Rolls Royce, and has become the basic requirement demanded by all these companies of their suppliers.

DP Seals supplies Hope for 20 years

Seals for high performance bike - DP Seals

DP Seals has been supplying Hope Technology with custom rubber seals and mouldings for over 20 years. Leading mountain bike specialist Hope Technology manufactures absolutely everything it needs in its new Barnoldswick Factory, with the exception of the electronics in the lights, brake pad material, hose, bearings – and rubber seals supplied by DP Seals.

Founded some 30 years ago by two Rolls Royce aerospace engineers, Hope pioneered disk brakes for mountain bikes. Today, in addition to their world-renowned disk brakes, the company also manufacture drive train parts, hubs and lights as well as riding gear and bike cleaner. The founders’ Rolls Royce heritage underpins the company’s focus on product quality through engineering precision. When combined with their commitment to produce virtually every part in the UK factory – from raw material to finished item – any outside source is chosen very carefully. Twenty years ago, Hope needed a specialist custom rubber seals and moulding supplier.

Working closely with Hope’s design team, DP Seals has developed several mouldings for disc brakes and lights, and delivers between 5,000 to 20,000 items every other month. The brake components are individually composed of specific blends of materials (DP Seals forté), combined to offer high tensile strength and excellent resistance to silicone oils, greases and brake fluids.

“Off-the-shelf seals and o-rings don’t always fit the bill, we often need custom components to meet specific needs, or polymer blends with very demanding characteristics. DP Seals not only delivers the highest quality backed with very sound engineering, its company ethos is very similar to our own.”

Simon Sharp, co-founder, Hope Technology

Seals for high-performance bike

Now, 30 years on, Hope Technology employs 85 people, several of who started out at the beginning and a huge 90% who live within 2 miles of the factory. The whole range of mountain bike components are produced in the company’s Barnoldswick Factory, right down to the connectors, shims, pawls, and other small parts that go into making the finished piece. More information is available at hopetech.com

About Hope Technology

Founded in 1989 by Ian Weatherill and Simon Sharp, two Rolls Royce aerospace engineers who decided that the brakes on their newly discovered mountain bikes weren’t up to scratch. A mechanical brake was produced and a hub to attach it to, and that, as they say, is where the story started.

The Domino effect

EPDM Seal

Domino A-Series printing machines are widely used by manufacturers and food processors – and now they offer enhanced performance thanks to a new ink nozzle manufactured by DP Seals.

After more than a year’s development we perfected a unique sealed print head unit made from bonded metal and rubber – just 33mm square, but incorporating no less than 10 precisely positioned nozzle holes and purpose-designed, colour-coded plugs in a specially formulated EPDM.

The effect on the Domino printer was outstanding – eliminating leakage, giving assured chemical resistance and simplifying cleaning and maintenance as well.

TEMP