ERIKS type R (type A according to the DIN standard) is identical in shape to type M, but has a rubber outer case with metal reinforcement on the inside. The rubber creates a good seal in the housing, even if the housing has suffered minor damage or is not in its best condition for other reasons. The RST version has a dust lip. These types are often chosen to replace a type with a metal outer case because they are easier to install and can cope with minor damage to the groove, such as scratches.
As can be seen from the seal cross-section shown in Fig. 14.2, shaft seals are complex shapes that require advanced mold design and molding techniques (see Section 7.3 for discussion of fluoroelastomer molding). For some time, most shaft seals were made in the United States by compression molding. Injection molding of shaft seals is prevalent in Europe, and is being used increasingly in the United States. An advantage of compression molding is that preforms (usually rings cut from extruded tubing) are used that closely approximate the amount of stock required for the final parts, so compound waste is minimized. For injection molding, the amount of cured stock in the central sprue and runner (actually a thin sheet leading to the seal lip) is often large compared to the stock required for the final part, so the waste of high-cost fluoroelastomer may be high. Such waste is reduced in modern injection molding designs.
Crankshaft front seal
Runouts need to be minimized. The most common causes of the center of rotation movement are shaft whip and bearing wobble. The issue is even worse when there’s misalignment. Contrary to widespread assumption and practice, misalignment cannot be corrected or made up for by using flexible couplings.