A System Embracing Observation of Different PTFE-Compounds in the Sealing Application of Rotary Manifolds

Abstract

Due to the increase of product complexity, 5 axes machining centers are becoming more and more important. Rotary tables are usually chosen for the 4th and 5th axis. Additional hydraulic or pneumatic mounting clamps are often needed on these tables. The feeding of the required media is realized by a so-called rotary manifold. For this application, commonly several rotary seals are used to seal the transmitted media. Different sealing materials, based on the carrier polymer PTFE, have been examined during this research. In tribological model tests, friction and wear characteristics have been investigated during an oscillating movement under dry run conditions and equal load spectrums (surface pressure). The counter running surfaces were specific textured as a result of various machining processes to research the effects of possible micro-and macroscopic patterning on the sealing system. The tribological behavior of the analyzed combinations and the topography of the counter surfaces have been evaluated.