OEM often design equipment with today’s needs in mind, not yesterdays, but the technology in manufacturing evolves rapidly and drastically. The amazing advancements from only a decade ago pale in comparison to the industrial mechanisms we see today in machines. Futureproofing means building systems the perform reliably for tomorrow’s technology, not just the equipment we have lying around. While significant upgrades exist for older equipment, the real money to be saved is in the future. Seals are often one of the most overlooked upgrades OEMs can make in their production lines. They play a critical role in long-term equipment viability, and keeping machines working at maximum efficiency for longer stretches of time.
Polymer seals of the next generation offer an incredible lineup of perks and significant performance increases. The recipes and chemical structures of seals are always evolving to withstand more pressure and heat, and to last longer with minimal deterioration. Stop asking the question, “Will this work for now?” and start asking “Will this still last five years from now?” when you approach buying and installing new seals. This is the start of futureproofing your equipment, and how the next generation of seals will help you save more money over time.
How “Standard” Rubber Seals Fall Behind
Traditional rubber seals are built for general conditions and run-of-the-mill situations, but they aren’t designed for the demands of the future. Rubber hasn’t changed much over the years, sure it’s design in the manufacturing process may receive upgrades here and there, but the physical properties of traditional rubber hasn’t change much over the last fifty years or so. The increased pressures, cycle counts, temperatures, and caustic chemicals in machines that were developed at that time have a bad habit of destroying rubber seals very quickly. This isn’t to say traditional rubber isn’t what you need, there are plenty of applications you will be fine throwing a cheap disposable seal into, but if you want to increase your return on investment over the next decade you will need to rethink your sealing strategy.
Standard materials degrade under the harsh temperatures of modern machines, and the environment we have been installing these new machines is plenty detrimental to rubber seals as well. Oil rigs and windmills near the ocean will be coated in salt within a few days, and rubber is easily destroyed by heavy amounts of saltwater building up on them. This leads to more frequent replacements leading to higher costs overall and shorter lifespans. OEMs relying on outdated seal technology risk losing ground to competitors who are becoming more innovative in their advanced sealing solutions.
Next Generation Design, Next Generation Materials
Advanced polymers have unique, and modern, innovations that are specially designed and engineered for durability, efficiency, adaptability, and resistance to the environment. The newest blends resist extreme pressures, chemical exposures, and wider temperature swings. Modern geometries in seals also minimize friction, improve energy consumption, and let your equipment run at maximum efficiency for longer, all of which will save you money. It’s not just the action in the machines that will allow you to save a buck, but the cost of labor, lubricant, and even reduction of contaminated products can help build long-term savings.
As machines are built to run faster, longer, and run at higher temperatures, traditional rubber seals will start to fail more often. Customizable geometries will allow these advanced polymers to fit into almost any machine and be built in a way to specifically handle the problems that machine may present. This helps with regulatory compliance as well, as seals that leak less often will keep your production line in code. These design advantages translate directly into longer service intervals and fewer failures.
The Return on Investment in Futureproofing
Unplanned downtime is a hindrance on OEMs and having more reliable seals that don’t fail often will help prevent that lost revenue. Investing in advanced seals reduces unplanned downtime and repair budgets. Seals that last longer lead to equipment that lasts longer, and consistently reliable operation of machines leads to happier customers, and less deadlines lost to an unexpected seal bursting in your machine. The less seals fail, the more you save on operations and labor to replace those seals, and the longer your machines can produce at maximum capacity.
Reliability and efficiency can serve as differentiators in crowded OEM markets, and being known as the most reliable will bring in new customers while retaining the long-term relationships you’ve built with your OEM. There aren’t perceived benefits here, these are tangible results. If a seal costs three times as much, but lasts six times as long, that means the half-life of the seal has practically paid for itself. This also means maintenance appointments get cut in half as well. Your engineers will be replacing seals half as often, which enables them to work on something more lucrative without having to fly in a helicopter for days to a remote area where wind turbines are located. Future-proofed designs create measurable returns in your wallet.
Competitive Advantages for OEMs
When OEMs upgrade their sealing systems to advanced polymers, they will start to set themselves apart from their competitors. With less downtime on the machines, more consistent output, better management of labor, and your reputation built upon reliability, it would be hard not to rely on your business if you’re a customer. Reliability becomes the selling point here, because if your OEM can turn out large orders in a timelier manner, customers will inevitably choose your business. Customers increasingly demand sustainability, especially as machines run harder for longer periods. Advanced polymer seals will not only elevate your production, but it will also give your sales team an advantage when selling to potential customers.
Future proofing is the key to succeeding in the future. The sooner an OEM switches, the sooner they’ll be ready to upgrade, upsell, and upend their competition. Upgrading to polymer seals will give an OEM the flexibility to adapt to ever changing technology and market conditions. Consider integrating a strategy to upgrade your sealing systems soon, because your competition is already attempting to place themselves as forward-thinking leaders, and you don’t want to get left behind.
Conclusion – Selling the Future
Equipment designed for the long term creates lasting value for OEMs and their customers. This small change can make a huge difference over time and result in a more favorable return on your investment. Futureproofing reduces risk, builds trust, and secures lifetime value well beyond upfront costs. If you ever have any questions about how advanced polymer seals can help benefit your production line, reach out to us here at System Seals. One of our engineers will be happy to talk it through with you and help identify spots for improvement.
