METHOD FOR MAKING MULTIPLE DUROMETER BULB SEALS

摘要

Method for making multiple durometer bulb seals includes cooling separately at least one structural member and at least one bulb portion of the bulb seal, which have different durometers and shapes. At least a first extrusion is drawn through a die of an extruder for forming a structural member profile and the extruded material is pulled by a first pulling device along a longitudinal axis to a first calibrator device and then through a first cooling tank to cool the structural member profile to a predetermined temperature. Cooling medium directly contacts the outer and inner surfaces of the first profile. The bulb portion is extruded and attached onto the cooled structural member and pulled downstream to a second calibrator device and through a second cooling tank to cool the profile a predetermined amount. Disparity in cooling expansion and cooling differential between the multiple durometers and shapes is avoided or overcome.

主权项

1. A method for making bulb seals, comprising
providing at least one first main extruder; providing at least one first calibrator device; providing at least one first cooling tank; providing at least one first pulling device providing at least one downstream extruder; providing at least one second calibrator device; providing at least one second cooling tank; providing at least one second pulling device; extruding a first material, said first main extruder forming a structural member; pulling said structural member using said first pulling device through said first calibrator device, said first calibrator device forming a final profile of said structural member; cooling said structural member in a cooling medium located in said first cooling tank to about 80 to 100° C.; extruding a second material with said at least one downstream extruder to form a bulb portion, said second material having a different durometer than said first material; bonding said bulb portion to said structural member; pulling said structural member and bulb portion using said second pulling device through said second calibrator device, said second calibrator device forming a final profile of said bulb portion; pulling said structural member and bulb portion using said second pulling device through said second cooling tank; cooling said bulb portion in a cooling medium located in said second cooling tank to about 80 to 100° C.; and cutting said structural member and bulb portion to provide bulb seals having a predetermined length.