- Joined
- Nov 2, 1999
- Messages
- 2,805
The final stage of assembly for the CQC-T is O-Ring installation.
The "Buna N" O-rings are manually fitted into their positions on each handle. This operation is done completley by hand. As of today, we were nearly complete with this installation process and were beginning packaging and shipment.
This afternoon, I confirmed personally that too many O-Rings (for my standards) were snapping off their handles after assembly. If it were one or two, I would have chalked it up to a bad ring. However, after getting briefed on O-Ring properties, I learned that over 5% stretch in Buna N is a roll of the dice. Buna N is a hydraulic ring that works great under heat and offers memory better than silicone and viton. It's the perfect ring for the CQC-T...we have concluded however that we are using the wrong size. We were stretching our rings over 50%.
I have ordered replacement O-Rings with larger inner diameters to resolve the problem. We are also going to quickly examine a slightly smaller cross section ring as a potential solution as well. Whichever ring performs better is what we'll use.
This means we have to uninstall alot of O-Rings over the next few days...and carefully. As a result of this re-fit, release of the CQC-T has been postponed to 7/29. Military unit orders that have been already filled will receive priority attention upon their return of the merchandice for replacement rings.
I have tried to resolve this problem behind the scenes, but at this juncture, it is best in my opinion to just come out and let you all know about the problem.
We're on it, it's no biggie in the grand scheme, and we're just a little behind the eight...not new for us, but the CQC-T is worth it...
Please accept my apologies.
Thanks.
The "Buna N" O-rings are manually fitted into their positions on each handle. This operation is done completley by hand. As of today, we were nearly complete with this installation process and were beginning packaging and shipment.
This afternoon, I confirmed personally that too many O-Rings (for my standards) were snapping off their handles after assembly. If it were one or two, I would have chalked it up to a bad ring. However, after getting briefed on O-Ring properties, I learned that over 5% stretch in Buna N is a roll of the dice. Buna N is a hydraulic ring that works great under heat and offers memory better than silicone and viton. It's the perfect ring for the CQC-T...we have concluded however that we are using the wrong size. We were stretching our rings over 50%.
I have ordered replacement O-Rings with larger inner diameters to resolve the problem. We are also going to quickly examine a slightly smaller cross section ring as a potential solution as well. Whichever ring performs better is what we'll use.
This means we have to uninstall alot of O-Rings over the next few days...and carefully. As a result of this re-fit, release of the CQC-T has been postponed to 7/29. Military unit orders that have been already filled will receive priority attention upon their return of the merchandice for replacement rings.
I have tried to resolve this problem behind the scenes, but at this juncture, it is best in my opinion to just come out and let you all know about the problem.
We're on it, it's no biggie in the grand scheme, and we're just a little behind the eight...not new for us, but the CQC-T is worth it...
Please accept my apologies.
Thanks.
