The Best Waterproof Cameras on the Market

Posted on November 21, 2017 by admin

Whether you’re going to the beach, diving, or hiking, these waterproof cameras are holiday must-haves to add to the wish list.

If you’re escaping the holidays for daring outdoor adventures, the chances are you’re going to get close to some water in the deep blue sea to capture subaquatic scenes. It’s also likely you’ll want to commemorate your underwater adventures, but most cameras won’t make it out alive with the perfect shot.

Thankfully, there’s shock-proof and freeze-proof, and crush-proof waterproof cameras on the market. These rugged cameras don’t stop there. You’ll also find many with fun features such as GPS location tagging, Wi-Fi connectivity and action-oriented extras like compass or altimeter.

Action-packed, our top picks for the best waterproof cameras will give you all latest tech in one compact for easy travel.

For more information on industrial seal products and mechanical support goods, visit Real Seal.

Olympus Tough! TG-5

For just $449, the TG-5’s exceptional build quality is built to survive pretty much anything you could throw at it. Its ergonomic design and well-designed controls make it weather-resistant and includes bonus features such as GPS sensor, pressure, compass and temperature sensor.

Things to consider: Great for raw format support and range of accessories, the TG-5 faults at image smoothing at high ISOs and zoom control inconsistencies.

Nikon Coolpix W300

For under $400, the W300 is the ideal choice if you want to go deep underwater. Fully loaded with host of features, the W300 has 4K video, a terrific GPS system, interactive world map and Wi-Fi connectivity, and an altimeter and underwater depth gauge to boot. It also offers high resolution, 921k dot OLED monitor and the function at a depth of 30 meters.

Things to consider: Great for waterproof depths to 30 meters and its wide zoom range, the W300 faults at fiddly controls and exposure inconsistencies.

Panasonic Lumix FT5/TS5

For under $300, the FT5 (called the TS5 in the US) provides a focal range of 28-128mm and is optically stabilized to smooth out camera shake. Its bright LCD monitor makes it easy to compose your shots while the autofocus system and accurate exposure metering ensure images are processed to precision, whether you’re above or under water.

Things to consider: Great for fast AF performance and full-featured GPS, the FT5/TS5 faults at image smoothing at high ISOs and weak flash.

Canon PowerShot D30

For under $450, the D30 is a little dated compared to the models above but still a well-designed compact with easy-to-use oversized controls for operational use. The D-30 is also a waterproof wonder, going down to 25 meters, but aside from this and its ergonomic features, its been surpassed by the competition.

Things to consider: Great for ergonomic design and white balance performance, the D30 faults at poor GPS functionality and no built-in Wi-Fi. Its 12.1MP sensor and DIGIC 4 processor show its age and generates noticeable levels of noise at ISO 400 and above.

Industrial Sealing Products

Real Seal manufactures and distributes industrial seal products and mechanical components with a strong focus on performance oriented rubber and plastic materials. We are a full-service supplier of sealing and mechanical components, operating in hundreds of industries both nationally and internationally.

Top Applications for Industrial Seals

Posted on August 2, 2017 by admin

We have been talking a lot about seals lately, but where are they actually used? Seals are used for many different things in various industries for various applications. Industrial seals are used to seal the opening found between a static and rotating component. It is very important to use high performance seals so that equipment works efficiently. Using proper seals will save companies money and energy cost.
Here are the top ten industries that use hydraulic, pneumatic seals, or a combination of the two.

1. Agricultural Machinery – Farm Equipment

It is vital for agricultural machinery to be functioning at the optimum level, especially during harvest season. These machines are out in the elements facing various weather conditions, UV exposure, and contamination from things around them. In order to repair and maintain farm equipment, one must use high performance seals in order to increase productivity and lower expenses. Harvesting, threshing, baling, drainage, and crop harvesting machinery use single acting hydraulic seals. The preferred materials are super polymers like Oz Red Super Polymer (ORSP), Oz Monyt and Wifflon. These products have superior lubrications properties and are extremely durable.

2. Amusement Machines

The Brooklyn economy is supported each year with a $58 million contribution from Coney Island in New York. On average, there are 15 million visitors annually. If any of the amusement rides break down that is a huge loss in income. Rides have to shut down for repairs if seals fail so it is important to use proper seals. Fair ground rides use low friction seals and wipers in rubber, polyurethane or TMCF seals and wipers in control valves.

3. Automobile Manufacturers

Vehicle assembly departments usually use pneumatic rams on assembly jigs. Pneumatics are quieter and cleaner so it prevents leakage from contamination the surroundings. Polyurethane and rubber which are sound absorbing materials are effective for achieving significant compressed air savings.

4. Cheese Manufacturers

Manufacturing and packaging machines in the cheese industry use pneumatic seals, spring energized seals, wipers and guide rings. High pressure nitrile rubber (HNBR), Teflon, or wifflon materials are recommended for these machines.

5. Coal Mining Equipment

Underground machinery makes extensive use of hydraulics while pneumatics are used for roof support machinery. The use of high performance parts contributes to safety in the mining industry. High performance parts are needed so that there is little downtime and minimal maintenance required. HNBR and Oz Monyt are often used as they are high pressure materials.

6. Concrete Pumping

Concrete is heavy, abrasive, viscous, and contains pieces of hard rock and will solidify if not kept moving. Because of this, there are many challenges to designing concrete pumps. Dangerous blockages can occur if the pump system is not set properly. Specialized sealing and proper guided element replacement is essential. There are special designs by Oz seals that are suitable for hydraulic rams that are used to operate concrete pumping plungers and hydraulic rams on the boom.

7. Diecasters

In order to die cast, you force molten metal under high pressure into a mold cavity. You can use a hot-chamber die casting or cold-chamber die casting. HNBR and viton materials are used as they can withstand extreme temperatures; they are used on tamping and furnace rams. Polymer compatibility should be checked for possible HFA/FHB fluid compatibility since hydraulic or mechanical pistons may come into contact with fireproof liquids.

8. Earth-Movers and Excavators

Heavy earthmoving, excavators, dozers, and backhoe loaders require high performance oils seals and hydraulic seal kids. The heaviest user of high performance seals and reliable Oz wipers are the mining and construction industries.

9. Printers

The fast-paced publishing industry needs machine parts that are manufactured with high performance polyurethanes and rubber materials. This allows for greater speeds and higher productivity. Pneumatics such as Teflon seals with spring energizers are used for printing presses and packaging machines.

10. Textile Manufacturers

Textile machinery uses things like shaft seals, spring energized Teflon seals and mechanical seals. A high performance polymer such as ORSP or Wifflon is ideal for compact spinning, high pressures and constant rotation of the air rams.
There are several other industries that use high performance seals for various applications. To find out what you require for your industry contact the professionals at Real Seal and they will be able to assess your needs.

A Material’s Essential Role in Industrial Seals

Posted on October 12, 2016 by admin

Figuring out the physical dimensions and design of a seal is a challenging process, but the material is just as important. Selecting the wrong sealing material can lead to leakage or even more catastrophic failure. Some materials are impermeable to certain liquids and vapors, while others will let them slip through microscopic pores.

If you’re looking for a seal, make sure to select the right material based upon its properties and the forces acting upon it. Here are some things to remember when trying to figure out which seal material is right for your application.

Temperature Tolerance

One of the most common issues that applications must deal with includes high heat applications. Friction, direct heating, vibration, and other forces contribute to the heating of a seal. It’s often not enough to just know the standard operating range of one part of a process, as an entire range of other factors can come into play once the whole operation is connected and putting strain on a seal.

Some materials to consider when deciding on a seal in a high heat application include:

Fluorocarbon, which has a range of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, is a common choice for such operations.
Silicone, which has a range of 500 degrees Fahrenheit; however, it has a lower physical strength than some other materials.

Low temperature applications have their own risks, as well. Melting isn’t the only temperature-related problem that seals not designed for a particular environment can be affected by. When seals that aren’t designed for cold temperatures are put in these conditions, they can become brittle and freeze, eventually breaking, cracking, or fracturing.

Silicone is a good choice for extremely cold temperatures, as it is able to handle extreme cold reaching as low as -175 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remember that when choosing a material based on its ability to withstand temperature, it should be able to handle the highest ranges an operation can reach. If the industrial application is cyclical, then it should be fine with every range of factors, not just the most constant environmental conditions.

Chemical Compatibility

Most seals are used to keep in, or out, certain products. Whether it’s liquid, vapor, or a kind of slurry, the chemical composition of the material the seal is made of and how it handles these products needs to be taken into account. Some chemicals will be abrasive to the seal, wearing it down physically. Other products will react chemically with certain industrial sealing materials, causing the seal to weaken and eventually break. If the wrong seal is chosen it may also allow the product or its byproducts to escape, causing loss of efficiency and money.

Not only is it important to take into account the products and byproducts a seal is keeping in, the surrounding environment can be equally problematic. If the operation is outside, underwater, or in an area where the seal may come into contact with other products, then these factors should be taken just as seriously as those directly in the application. A seal that can’t handle water won’t be any help to a system outside in a rainy area.

Silicone, for example, is resistant to high-aniline point oils and is excellent for these applications, but on the other hand it is weak to steam.

Physical Properties

In dynamic applications where a seal is against a moving part or may be moved itself, the physical properties of a material become vital. If a seal is too rigid or hard in an application with a lot of movement, then it may break or even damage the machinery itself. On the other hand, in static applications a flexible is probably unnecessary, allowing for a harder material seal to be used if it is better for the application or more economical.

Making the Right Industrial Seal Material Choice

When it comes to the final decision of what material your seal will be, it’s important to consult an expert to prevent seal failure, which can be expensive and time-consuming to fix. Testing the seal or having a provider that has dealt with similar applications before and can recommend the right material is key. Real Seal is a leader in the sealing industry, with over 30 years of experience. Contact Real Seal today to find the right industrial seal material for your operation.