Dynamic seal – rear retainer least and maximum material conditions

Abstract

The objective of this article is to help practitioners and management arrive at more compact, efficient and lightweight engines for vehicles. It aims to do this by providing details of a study that involved converting a heavily machined aluminium rear retainer – which interfaces a dynamic seal – to nylon 66, for Ford Motor Co. Cost analysis, materials testing, design parameter definitions, virtual modelling, process simulation, prototyping and testing are discussed in a system perspective, including manufacturing tolerances.