RUBBER SOLUTIONS FOR MILITARY GEAR AND EQUIPMENT >
PRODUCT CASE STUDY
MILITARY MOISTURE SEAL
CHALLENGE
A client had a rush order for two rubber boots for an exterior application. Unfortunately, Midwest Rubber did not have the necessary tooling on hand to create this molded part, a military moisture seal. Adding to the difficulty was the fact that the only reference material for the parts that our client could provide was a two-dimensional print from the 1980s.
SOLUTION
Despite these challenges, we believed we would still be able to produce what our client needed. First, our team of engineers created a three-dimensional solid model of the part. Once approved, we used the model of the part to create a model for the tooling. From here we created and verified the tool paths for our CNC router and cut the tooling in-house. With the tooling finished and verified, we produced the parts using our rubber dipping process.
For this project, we created a mold that perfectly covered a military vehicle’s battery cable connection, despite its unique shape. Because of our talented engineers and custom-developed equipment and materials, Midwest Rubber often takes on challenges other manufacturers aren’t capable of handling.
When a client came to us with a rush order and we did not have the necessary tooling available, it didn’t stop us! We used the client’s reference material (a 2D print from the 1980s) to create models for both the part, and the tooling needed to produce it.
Our slush molding process allowed us to develop and produce a large one-piece shifter boot that met our customer’s specific requirements of covering two levers and protecting the shifter from desert sand.
Our research during this project paid off. While developing this part, which was intended to cover sharp areas inside military vehicles, our research revealed that the material we were considering would never withstand the “real life” purpose this product was serving: soldiers used the area it covered as a step to exit the vehicle! Knowing this, we chose a more durable material for the cover that would hold up to being stepped on over time.
WHY MIDWEST RUBBER?
Durability
We can promise that our products perform better and longer than our competition. How? We test each and every design in-house, making sure it can withstand daily wear and tear for years to come. We will also assist in the design process when needed, providing guidance so you receive the best solution possible. Quantifying and testing our solutions ensures that our customers are guaranteed the best results.
