Engineered Materials Group
Composite Sealing Systems (CSS) Division
Sealing Solutions for Critical Aerospace & Defense Electronics Enclosures
Ensure Ruggedness & Reliable Environmental Sealing
6 Benefits of Overmolded Sealing Technology for Enclosures in Aerospace and Defense Applications
It's no surprise that electronic enclosures and housings in aerospace and defense applications are built to meet the most stringent of standards. These include but are not limited to fluid compatibility, environmental stresses, EMI shielding, and maintenance requirements. Additionally, the advanced technological requirements of devices requiring these enclosures mean that these devices must be more rugged and more powerful, as well as smaller, lighter, and easier to replace.
This poses challenges for designers, leading them not only to suppliers who can meet these requirements but partners who can assist in the design and supply chain management of these complex units.
For environmentally-sealed and EMI-shielded electronics devices such as sophisticated Electro Optical Distributed Aperture Systems (EODAS), there is no better full-system solution than a vulcanized overmolded cover. And with Parker, customers have access to a wide range of qualified, high performance materials, including Parker Chomerics conductive elastomers and EMI Shielding materials.
So, what is overmolded sealing technology anyway?
What is an overmolded, vulcanized, mold-in-place gasket?
Overmolding is a process of molding a gasket directly onto a metal or composite substrate. Instead of extruded cord stock, press-in-place, or molded sheets, the elastomer gasket is bonded directly onto the housing or cover, and will retain its shape after molding.
Top 6 benefits of overmolded electronics covers with elastomers
- Integration and permanent adhesion - Overmolded gaskets are integrated directly into an enclosure and permanently bonded onto the housing. This adds a significant level of durability and means that the gasket will not experience wear as quickly as traditional gasketing in field operation. Moreover, the risk for leakage from the bonded side is virtually eliminated.
- Simplification of assembly - Because the gasket is already directly bonded onto the housing, there is no additional assembly needed. This means no more having to place a gasket in a groove or requiring an attachment method such as rivets or pressure sensitive adhesive.
- Ease of maintenance and repair - Especially true in shipboard avionics, overmolded gaskets provide the benefit of minimizing maintenance procedure. There is no risk of forgetting to reinstall gaskets during disassembly and reassembly.
- Tighter tolerance controls - Molding uses a precise process and tolerance-controlled tools meaning the gasket can meet tolerance controls of just a few thousandths of an inch.
- Smaller form factors and custom geometries - With the tight tolerance controls of overmolded covers comes the ability to mold smaller form factors that will optimize sealing of covers and enclosures. The custom geometries mean that design factors such as closure force and sealing path are perfectly accounted for.
- Consolidated supply chain - With the gasket provided directly on the cover, there is no need to work with multiple suppliers, each completing a small part of the assembly. Overmolded covers can be directly supplied in a ready-to-use form.
Design partnership
With more than 65 years of experience in overmolding, the Product Engineering teams from Parker CSS Division can assist with full system enclosure design that takes into consideration such factors as ideal surface finish and groove dimensions to meet customer-driven requirements. We will work with customers to determine whether overmolding is the best solution and feasible based on all necessary specifications.
Supply chain partnership
As devices become more complex, so do the associated supply chains. An electronic enclosure can quickly pick up more than 5 or 6 individual suppliers, each needing to meet various requirements of military standards. In addition to the difficulties of sourcing the best suppliers, a complicated web of interdependent timelines starts to appear. This is where CSS can provide significant support and logistical relief. Parker has an extensive network of first-class suppliers and can also work with customer-approved suppliers to manage a project from start to finish. Services offered can include: overmolding, machining, painting, corrosion protection, chemical conversion, embedded fasteners, part marking, etching, and custom packaging.
Overmolded covers provide countless benefits for customers looking for the best solution to durable and reliable sealing and resistance protection of environmentally sealed housings while minimizing a complicated system of suppliers.
Not sure how to choose an elastomer or have questions on overmolding suitability for your application? Contact us to talk to an expert.
Related information:
On-Demand Webinar: Sealing Technologies for Defense Electronics Enclosures
Brochure: Defense Electronics Enclosures
Landing Page: Bonded Gask-O-Seal® Technology
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