Since 1947, APM has been dedicated to the development and production of sealing solutions for electrical and electronics applications. Applications have been broad, from automatic test equipment to automation, from marine to military, from relatively simple to complex geometric configurations. Many of these seals required bonding to metal components, an APM specialty: External environmental sealing boots for switches, potentiometers, encoders, and circuit breakers, cross-linked to mounting nuts. This solution became so popular that APM developed a full standard line of sealing boots under the HEXSEAL™ brand. Millions have been sold worldwide and carry UL recognition with !P 66/68 ratings. Drawing upon over 100 patents as well as their vast experience in precision transfer and injection molding using a wide range of elastomers, metal-to-metal bonding, and coating treatments, APM quickly develops reliable, cost effective seals to meet unique application needs under their FAST-TRACK program.

APM FAST-TRACK prototyping to production is a flexible process to expedite the sealing development cycle. Send the part to be sealed with or without the end product and/or drawings to APM for analysis and they will respond with a seal drawing for review, quotation and prototypes.

• FAST-TRACK inputs typically include:
• Environmental conditions
• Durometer
• Fluids in contact (solvents, lubricants, etc...)
• Inserts to be bonded

APM in-house tool designers fabricate "soft" tooling to quickly provide evaluation parts. This intermediate step speeds time to production, permits fine-tuning of the seal design, and optimizes performance attributes.

On approval of final prototypes, APM's in-house tooling group fabricates prroduction molds to most-efficiently produce your high-quality custom seal with either heat-transfer, injection, or LIM (liquid injection molding) technologies.

APM has solved tough problems with designs proven to work. Here are some examples..

Remote Automotive Keyless Entry Control

Sealing Problem:

• Seal the perimeter between mating top and bottom component covers.
• Seal and color-code three printed circuit board-mounted pushbutton switches.
• Provide a transparent viewing window for monitoring the PCB-mounted, battery-status LED.
• Render the entire unit submersible.

APM Design Solution:

A single-piece tri-color (black, green and clear) silicone rubber seal, geometrically-contoured to the control’s housing and internal electronic components. The seal, housing and circuit board are held together by one of APM HEXSEAL’s patented, reusable self-sealing fasteners.

Outdoor Audio System Keypad

Sealing Problem:

• Seal and protect keypad from all kinds of weather conditions, dust, dirt, moisture.
• Must tolerate sunlight and exposure to ozone.
• Should be a single piece design.
• Provide transparent viewing window that permits easy keypad operation.

APM Design Solution:

A single-piece seal, precision molded with crystal-clear silicone rubber that nests neatly in a perimeter groove on the keypad’s front plate assembly.

Security System Access Keypad

Sealing Problem:

• Geometric compatibility with pushbutton switch array.
• Protect keypad from weather, water, dust, dirt and cleaning solvents.
• Tolerate sunlight and exposure to ozone.
• Provide durable switch identification designations.
• Provide excellent tactile feedback of switch actuation.

APM Design Solution:

A fitted, single-piece, custom-colored seal molded from a specially-formulated rubber with durable, recessed, high-contrast switch legend markings.

Programmable Digital Panel Meter

Sealing Problem:

• Protect DPM’s front programming switches from water, oils, grease, dirt and cleaning solvents.
• Permit easy reading of DPM’s switch markings.
• Resist discoloring in presence of sunlight.
• Not compromise programming ease.
• Single-piece design.

APM Design Solution:

A full-bezel soft seal fabricated from a special transparent rubber formulation. Form-fit design seals panel cut-out in which DPM is mounted, while permitting operation of the unit’s programming switches through the soft, flexible seal.

Lighted Pushbuttons for Military Aircraft

Sealing Problem:

• Prevent penetration of moisture from fog or salt spray.
• Tolerate kerosene, alcohol and light detergents.
• Ensure pushbutton actuator remains attached to switch body under high-impact shock of up to 1,500 Gs.
• Permit actuation of pushbutton.
• Permit viewing of lighted indicator and switch legend.

APM Design Solution:

A snap-on, single-piece bezel seal consisting of a custom stainless steel frame over which is molded a durable, chemically-resistant elastomer.

Missile Launch Control Circuit Breaker

Sealing Problem:

• Protect circuit breaker from weather, salt spray, dust and dirt.
• Permit easy resetting of tripped circuit breaker.
• Permit viewing of circuit breaker status.
• Resist yellowing or other discoloration due to aging or exposure to sunlight.
• Meet stringent test requirements of MIL-B-5423.

APM Design Solution:

A custom-molded boot made of APM’s proprietary, transparent elastomer (RubRGlas™) and a painted steel frame featuring filled engraved legends. The boot and frame are secured to the circuit breaker using APM’s patented reusable self-sealing fasteners (SEELSKREWS™).

Food Processing Equipment

Sealing Problem:

• Meet cleanliness and corrosion-resistant requirements of the food and beverage processing industry.
• Protect pushbutton actuator from frequent washdowns.
• Provide mechanical advantage to actuate the pushbutton control.
• Seal the panel cutout in which the pushbutton is mounted.

APM Design Solution:

A unitary pushbutton switch seal assembly consisting of a durable, fluorosilicone rubber boot encased in a stainless-steel actuator housing.

Other industry applications: Equipment for meat packing, dairy processing, fast-food and commercial cooking equipment, pharmaceutical, medical/dental, hydraulic lift mechanisms on trash and other hauling vehicles’ controls, remote crane & locomotive controls, sewage equipment, underwater/marine, agricultural, car wash, and military equipment controls