Understanding shaft seals can be complex due to the variety of types available, from O-rings and braided packing to mechanical face seals and lip seals. Advanced rotary shaft seals by CinchSeal have an advantage over all of these when it comes to sealing industrial mixers and conveyors. In this article we’ll look specifically at how CinchSeal stacks up against lip seals.
What’s the Difference Between a Lip Seal and CinchSeal?
Lip seals and advanced rotary shaft seals share a common goal: preventing leakage and contamination by sealing in whatever material is being mixed or conveyed. However, the efficiency and efficacy of these seals differ greatly.
Lip seals and Mechanical Packing
Lip seals for rotary shafts maintain a thin layer of lubricant between the “lip” and the shaft, using hydrodynamic action from the rotating shaft to create a pump action that holds the seal. This point of contact with the shaft forms two angles and wears down the shaft over time.
Lip Seal Advantages:
- Low Up-Front Cost—Lip seals and mechanical packing are relatively inexpensive, making replacements affordable. However, frequent replacements and product loss can quickly diminish these savings.
Lip Seal Disadvantages:
- Small Contact Surface—Lip seals have a comparatively small surface with which to grab the rotating shaft. This design increases the risk of contamination and leakage. Over time, particle contamination creates grooves in the shaft and can damage bearings and gearboxes.
- Wear and Tear—The small contact area causes lip seals to wear out more quickly The small surface area of the lip also makes lip seals wear out more quickly, especially in harsh operating environments. This requires lip seals to be replaced more frequently, eliminating much of their initial cost-saving benefit.
- Limited Applications—Lip seals are prone to high friction and heat generation due to their stationary design. This can be a problem, especially with low viscosity fluids where the lubricant film becomes too thin to separate the seal and shaft properly. This limits the applications for which lip seals can be used.
- Pressure Limitations—Lip seals don’t withstand high pressure well, further limiting their effectiveness in demanding applications.
- Shaft Damage—Non-rotating design can quickly damage the shaft through friction.
- Lack of Certification—Lip seals are not certified for use in meat, poultry, and dairy processing industries.
Mechanical packing, another common sealing technique, consists of braided rope compressed around the shaft in a stuffing box. Abrasive bulk materials can impregnate the packing, causing shaft wear and reducing its strength and sealing effectiveness.
Advanced Rotary Shaft Seals
CinchSeal’s advanced rotary shaft seals are a modern innovation designed for industrial mixers, screw conveyors, ribbon blenders, and bulk-handling equipment. These seals offer high ROI by protecting bearings and gearboxes, eliminating shaft wear, and preventing product leakage. Compared to lip seals and basic packing, seals by CinchSeal reduce unscheduled maintenance and downtime.
The self-adjusting design, facilitated by an elastomer sealing element, maintains constant pressure against the sealing surfaces. Unlike other seals, CinchSeal requires little to no periodic adjustment and is repairable, allowing for cost-effective replacement of the sealing element without needing a complete new unit replacement.
CinchSeal Advantages:
- Shaft Protection: Unique rotating design eliminates shaft damage.
- Misalignment Tolerance: Can handle up to ¼ inch of shaft misalignment without leaking, common in bulk-handling equipment.
- Large Surface Area: Reduces the risk of contamination and leakage.
- Self-Lubricating: Enables dry-running operation, reducing wear.
- USDA Certification: CinchSeal is USDA certified for meat and poultry and dairy applications. Suitable for hygiene-sensitive industries and can be quickly disassembled for cleaning.
Summary
When choosing between lip seals, packing, and advanced rotary shaft seals, it’s crucial to consider long-term costs. While lip seals are initially cheap, their frequent replacements and associated product losses reduce their cost-effectiveness. Advanced rotary seals by CinchSeal, with their innovative design and durability, offer better ROI and reduced maintenance.
For over 25 years, CinchSeal has been a global leader in manufacturing innovative rotary shaft seals, providing reliable replacements for lip seals and mechanical packing. We offer a variety of seals tailored to different sizes and designs to meet your specific needs. Contact us for a quote on our industrial seal solutions. We guarantee quotes and drawings within 24 hours, and custom engineering usually takes 10 days.
