Custom Tubing for Metal Detector Company
Application
Metal detector support shafts. Variable length.
Previous Limiting Technology
Extruded aluminum.
Challenge
Non-cylindrical, ergonomic-shaped tubing in 3 lengths that telescopes inside one another for an expandable, variable combination of total lengths. Perfect cosmetics required right out of the mold. Precision machined for locking mechanisms.
Solution
We used sheets of carbon fiber pre-preg wrapped onto a semi-rigid heat expandable mandrel (PTFE). This was placed inside rigid aluminum clamshell mold during cure to create a tight tolerance ID / OD tube for precision fitment, allowing each tube to slide inside the other freely but precisely. It also provided excellent cosmetics. Ceramic coating was applied for enhance durability.
- Custom tooling for non-cylindrical precision tubes
- Three variable length, non-cylindrical tubes
- Non-cylindrical tubes in telescoping formation
- Metal detector in use (image courtesy Garrett)
- Metal detector in use (image courtesy Garrett)