The Problem
A customer required a series of free issue metal inline sight glass tube assemblies protected with a fluoropolymer coating. The design included a cut-out viewing section that needed to remain visible while being protected by a clear FEP covering. The coating also had to extend along the full tube length and accommodate internal threads at both ends without affecting their function.
The project involved small batch quantities with component lengths ranging from 750mm to 3000mm.
The Solution
Adtech applied a 0.5mm thick FEP coating to the customer-supplied metal tubes using stock FEP sleeving. The FEP was processed to provide a tight, transparent fit over the sight glass opening while continuing along the full length of the assembly.
At each end of the tube, the FEP was moulded to create a secure finish while preserving the internal threaded sections required for installation.
The Challenges
Achieving a drum-tight fit over the sight glass opening was essential to maintain a clear viewing area and a consistent appearance along the coated section. The coating process also needed to accommodate significant length variation, with parts ranging from 750mm to 3000mm.
The tube ends presented an additional challenge. The FEP had to be formed and secured without interfering with the internal threads, ensuring the finished assemblies could be installed as intended.
Maintaining consistency across small production batches required careful control of the coating and forming process throughout the full component length.
The Result
The completed assemblies featured a clear, tightly fitted FEP coating over both the sight glass section and the full tube length. The moulded end finish provided a secure termination while retaining access to the internal threads.
The project demonstrated how stock FEP sleeving can be adapted to create functional fluoropolymer-coated assemblies for specialist process equipment, even where varying lengths and complex features are involved.
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