Designing with Standard Lathe Cuts
Standard Lathe Cuts are manufactured for direct replacement of O-rings in Standard AS 568A sizes. To specify a Lathe Cut for a standard-size O-ring gland, simply refer to the Standard-size Lathe Cut charts. An individual Lather Cut is designated with a Q dash number, which corresponds to the AS 568A dash number for the equivalent O-ring. Thus, a Q-214 Lathe Cut is equivalent to an AS 568-214 O-ring. Due to the square configuration, the actual cross sectional dimension of a Lathe Cut is slightly less than the corresponding O ring cross sectional diameter. So seal squeeze is slightly reduced, sealing surface is increased, and gland volume/void ratio is maintained within recommended levels.
Tolerances
Two of the three dimensions of a Lathe Cut are under the direct control of machining processes, so there is closer control of tolerances than is usually possible with molded O-rings.
The outside diameter or wall thickness of the Lathe Cut is controlled by specially designed grinders. The cut thickness is controlled by precision cutters equally as accurate as the grinders. Only the inside-diameter dimension, formed by extrusion and vulcanization on a precision mandrel, is subject to any remote chance of batch-to-batch shrinkage variations.
Dimensioning
The Lathe Cut is dimensioned by describing its inside diameter in conjunction with both its cross-sectional wall and cut thickness dimensions. Proper definition requires that all three factors be stated. Or, if you're selecting a standard Lathe Cut to replace a standard-size O-ring, simply select the appropriate AS568A-related dash number shown in the charts on pages to follow.
Finish
Columbia’s Lathe Cuts are completely homogeneous, without parting-line indentations, ragged flash extensions, or back rind. There are no joints, laminations, or voids.
| Lathe Cut & Square Rings Top View and Cross Sectional View |
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Standard Lathe Cuts are manufactured in sizes from 3/16" Up to 18" on the inside diameter. Both radial and axial dimensions are commonly held between 1/16" and 1". Within this range, a virtually infinite variety of wall and cut thicknesses is available. And even beyond these commonly used limitations, Lathe Cuts are available in special sizes and shapes. Contact Columbia for more information.
Standard Size Lathe Cut Square Rings
Square-ring size is defined by inside diameter, and walk thickness dimensions
Lathe Cut Seal: Size Ranges
Lathe Cut Seal Cross Sectional Views:
A Lathe Cut Seal is manufactured from a cylindrical tube of rubber which is compounded to match required specifications. Through a curing process and stone grinding on a lathe, the inside (ID) and outside (OD) diameters are achieved. The desired thickness is achieved on the lathe by a knife cutting process. All of these seals are classified by their unique cross-sections including: Square, Rectangle, Chamfered, Angular, V-Groove, Tube, Gasket Cut and Cylindrical Cut, of which we offer a wide variety.
Virtually all industries have recognized the benefits offered by Lathe Cuts. They are now used extensively in many types of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment.
A lathe cut seal or square ring is a circular sealing device made with a square or rectangular shaped cross section. Available in a wide variety of elastomeric compounds, the Lathe Cut is engineered to be fully equivalent to the O-ring for use in most static applications. Generally, a Lathe Cut is used as a direct replacement for an O-ring or other squeeze-type molded seal.
