Water Impurities Filtered Using Diaphragm Assemblies Injection Molded Of Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) - Minnesota Rubber & Plastics Provides An Improved Assembly Solution

Minneapolis, Minnesota: Check valves utilizing diaphragms that filter impurities while separating purified water from waste water are molded to tight dimensions of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) by Minnesota Rubber & Plastics. Replacing fabric reinforced rubber diaphragms, the TPU diaphragms improve product performance.

The water purification device is part of an under-the-sink drinking system. The check valves are critical to the system's quality and must perform without leakage. Consisting of four components, a valve body, a support piston and two TPU diaphragms, these check valves are produced, assembled and delivered as a completed assembly to the customer by Minnesota Rubber & Plastics. This eliminates the need to manage production of 4 parts plus packaging by the customer.

The change from a fabric reinforced rubber diaphragm to Minnesota Rubber & Plastics' TPU design with high tensile strength eliminates the threat of pinhole leaks between fabric weave caused by rubber tear and de-lamination. This is a common problem in cold water applications where traditional fabric reinforced rubber diaphragms are employed.

Each of the 1.4" diameter diaphragms has a center snap bead on one side that locks into the polypropylene support piston. Together, the two diaphragms provide a tight seal around the edges of the polypropylene valve body.

The new valve operates at standard 26-28 water line pressure having been tested to 300 PSI burst pressure. Providing high tensile strength and good chloramine resistance, the selected TPU diaphragm material meets NSF 61 requirements.

Using this Minnesota Rubber & Plastics assembly provides the best balance of tool cost, assembly cost and finished assembly quality.

Minnesota Rubber & Plastics offer comprehensive design services that advance a customer's assembly programs. These services include: preliminary engineering assistance and mechanical design review; materials engineering including research and development into specialty compounds; rapid mold design and development and prototype services; process engineering; injection, compression, transfer and liquid silicone rubber manufacturing including metal-to-plastics conversions.