World Class Engineering

You're looking for the best possible sealing solution for your application. By choosing Dana, you benefit not only from our expertise - but also from our commitment to these same high standards:

• The optimum in value for your sealing solution.
• Solutions that integrate fully with your application.
• Reliable design/prototype/test cycle times to meet your product development and start-up schedules.

Whether you need a single gasket design, or need help with your total sealing system, the best solutions begin up front, at the earliest stages of planning and development. That's why we've built a global network of technical centers with people devoted exclusively to the development, design, and testing of sealing products to meet your unique needs.

Computer-Aided Design/Finite Element Modeling and Analysis

Dana has made a substantial investment in the latest Three-Dimensional Modeling and other design software to provide compatibility with customers and suppliers. By working closely with our engineers from the beginning you can enhance the design of your entire system, as well as the gaskets and other sealing components that we will create for it.

Techniques such as advanced Finite Element Modeling and Analysis allows Dana engineers to evaluate sealing stress distribution for the entire joint. For example, the head-to-block joint performance of a head gasket can be assessed and optimized before it is released for prototyping. This effective process replaces costly trial-and-error techniques, dramatically decreasing design to production lead times, while enhancing product performance.

Materials Engineering & Testing

Whether your application calls for a composition or a multi-layer design, the materials selected are critical. Dana has established some of the toughest standards in the industry and our engineers have developed proprietary tests to optimize your sealing solutions such as: hot compression, crush extrusion, flange pressure, coolant (oil and nitrogen sealability).

The materials that are candidates for the applications will be subjected to conditions much more severe than any they are likely to face in actual use. Some of the tests that are included in our fully-equipped Materials Laboratories include:

• Fluid Sealability. Automated test stations designed by Dana measure minute fluid loss in sealing systems, thereby identifying the most effective material for each application.
• Cyclical Applied Stress. Materials are subjected to temperature and cyclical stresses and/or amplitudes at various frequencies to simulate actual engine conditions. The material selected for your application must provide a wide margin of safety based upon the point of failure detected in this test.

Test like these assure that you receive only the most robust solutions - designed to more withstand the rigors of the "real world."

Analytical Laboratory

New materials are subjected to stringent chemical analysis to validate that they meet consistent quality standards before being released to manufacturing. The testing includes:

• Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). This analysis measures the heat performance of a material and compares it to other materials of known performance capabilities. TGA may also be used for comparative analysis. This is also an effective instrument for determining polymer life as a function of time and temperature in a give application.
• Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). In addition to being a valuable tool for basic materials research, this instrument is used to evaluate the curing rate of a material. Materials must meet the required time and temperature standards.

Metallurgical Lab

Using sophisticated electronic microscopy and digital video equipment,metallurgists analyze metallic materials to assure that required performance characteristics are met. Analysis capabilities include:

• Surface Finishes. To determine the optimum finish for a sealing application.
• Full Gasket Analysis. Custom testing of prototype or products that have been used in the field to determine causes of failure or inadequate performance - or to establish reference points for future designs.
• Digitized Photography. Providing visual documentation that may be stored, electronically transferred via e-mail or other means, or printed for your evaluation.

Deep Thermal Shock Testing

Your engine will never have to endure the high level of abuse it will receive during a Dana dynamometer test. Severe deep thermal shock test cycles force the gaskets to undergo extreme conditions of temperature, load and speed so that your sealing solution may be evaluated. Depending upon your requirements, your engine assembly can be subjected to deep thermal shock at coolant temperatures ranging from up to 240F down to -30F over hundreds of cycles.

Our capabilities range from single cylinder air-cooled engines to heavy-duty diesels. Our engineers use diagnostic instrumentation to assess temperature, pressure gradients and hardware deformation characteristics on running engines. Because results from Dana's thermal shock testing have provide so reliable, many customers have chosen to use it as their official validation documentation.

Manufacturing Research and Development

When production begins, your can't afford unpleasant surprises that run up your costs or cause unexpected, expensive delays. The mission of Manufacturing Research and Development is to prevent problems proactively before they begin to confirm the manufacturability of the design and materials, and determine the optimum tooling and processes for your part.

As a functional "mini-factory," the department is equipped with state-of-the-market CAD/CAM systems, programmable lasers and turret presses to produce rapid prototypes, exacting in every detail. By establishing the best procedures up front, we string to simulate production which actually shorts lead times. Equally important, it also provides significant cost savings before and throughout manufacturing.

Quality Assurance Up-Front

As you can see, quality takes root at Dana from the moment your design is conceptualized. Because such care is taken to build quality up-front, before your part is manufactured, you can be assured it will meet all of your expectations the first time - and consistently thereafter. To discuss your design, please call any Dana location worldwide.

Direct all of the sales inquiries to our Sales Support Desk at 630-271-0001.