Product Highlight: Expansion Joints and Their Applications
ELBEX • Jan 23, 2023
Expansion joints are some of the most commonly used rubber extrusions, particularly in the construction and manufacturing industries. At Elbex, our team can produce both standard and custom expansion joints to ensure quality outcomes for your project. Here is a closer look at expansion joints and how they can be used.
What Are Expansion Joints?
Expansion joints are a type of rubber extrusion that are primarily used to absorb and reduce movement between separate surfaces and subsequently prevent structural damage. The materials and design specifications can vary based on regulatory standards and codes for the industry that the expansion joint is being used for.
Common Applications For Expansion Joints
One of the most common uses for expansion joints is in industrial piping systems, where these rubber extrusions help transition between separate surfaces and prevent excess movement that could lead to damage. Expansion joints fulfill a similar role for ductwork. In construction, expansion joints help relieve stress on building materials that naturally occurs from the expansion and contraction of those materials, as well as from seismic activity (such as settling).
Thanks to their versatility, expansion joints can be used in many industries and applications — especially when you have Elbex on your side. Our design and engineering team can provide a variety of value-added services, including custom design, in-house die tooling, silicone color matching, and more to meet the exact requirements of your project. To learn more, contact us today.
We live in a time of rapid change — and this is just as true of the rubber extrusion industry as it is in other areas. At ELBEX, we believe a forward-thinking approach is vital to stay at the forefront of rubber extrusion. Emerging Trends in Rubber Extrusion in 2024 As 2024 begins, several trends have stood out in the rubber extrusion industry. These include advancements in eco-friendly materials, improvements in manufacturing automation, and increased demand for rubber extrusions from emerging markets. At ELBEX, ongoing investments in research and development have proven essential for helping us take advantage of these trends so we can better serve our clients. Incorporating Advanced Technology Manufacturing processes are constantly improving thanks to new technologies such as AI and the internet of things. These technologies enable us to automate certain processes to achieve greater efficiency, quality control, and customization capabilities. Sustainability: A Core Focus for ELBEX in 2024 Energy efficiency and the use of eco-friendly materials have long been a focus at ELBEX, but they are even more important in 2024. Current sustainability initiatives include the use of recycled materials and a focus on implementing energy-efficient processes that minimize waste. Expanding into New Markets and Applications New industries and markets represent a major area of growth for rubber extrusion products. Areas such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart infrastructure will all rely on rubber extrusions, and as such, we must continually research and develop new profiles that will work with these applications. ELBEX’s Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction In the midst of these trends, ELBEX is committed to maintaining high quality standards, as demonstrated through our ISO certification. By taking advantage of the latest industry trends, we can further improve results for our clients and drive meaningful outcomes. With a proactive approach to embracing current and future trends in the world of rubber extrusions, ELBEX is positioned to continue shaping the future of the industry in 2024 and beyond.
One of the most important indicators of a manufacturer’s efficiency is its scrap rate — or the percentage of defective products that need to be thrown away or recycled. At ELBEX, we are proud to consistently achieve low scrap percentages with each job we undertake. The Importance of Low Scrap in Manufacturing In manufacturing, scrap can have significant environmental and economic impacts. Unusable products must be recycled and replaced, which means more time, energy, and materials used in the manufacturing process. This can drive up costs for both the business and its clients, while also creating a larger carbon footprint. ELBEX’s Approach to Minimizing Scrap At ELBEX, we implement a wide variety of steps to minimize scrap, starting by using high-quality materials that are less likely to result in defects. We combine this with the latest in rubber extrusion technology and processes and a skilled team that draws on decades of industry experience. Strong quality control systems help us reduce waste at every step of the process. Impact on Quality and Cost-Effectiveness These practices, which help us achieve a low scrap percentage, ultimately result in higher quality products and less waste. This creates cost savings for everyone involved, as production runs can be completed faster and with less material. Reduced energy consumption also means less of an impact on the environment. ELBEX’s Ongoing Commitment to Improvement ELBEX is committed to continuous improvement, including finding new ways to further reduce scrap and enhance efficiency. By embracing new technology and sourcing the highest-quality materials, we can become even more sustainable and cost-efficient. At ELBEX, we believe our low scrap percentage is an indicator of our efficiency, quality, and environmental responsibility. While there is always room for improvement, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far and how it can help you, too.
At Elbex, we are committed to maintaining a high standard of quality with our rubber extrusions. As part of this, we are proud to have obtained ISO 9001:2015 without Design certification as a signifier of our team consistently meeting quality standards. Here’s what this means for you. ELBEX’s Journey to ISO Certification ELBEX obtained its ISO certification in 2010, and has held it continuously since then. To achieve this certification, ELBEX had to demonstrate to a certification body that our work complied with ISO standards. During the assessment process, we had to show that we had sufficient quality management systems in place, while also striving for continuous improvement. Benefits of ISO Certification for ELBEX Clients Thanks to our ISO certification, you can have confidence that you’ll get consistent quality, reliability, and safety from our rubber extrusions. Adhering to ISO standards ensures that our products will always live up to expectations, so you can have confidence when placing an order for a standard or custom extrusion. ISO Standards and Rubber Extrusion Excellence The ISO certification that ELBEX holds — ISO 9001 — is considered a global quality management standard. It means that we have effective quality management processes in place to ensure great results with our products. This standard also covers process improvements and ongoing optimization, meaning we must continually look for ways to become more efficient, reduce waste, and find other ways to improve quality. ELBEX’s Commitment to Ongoing Excellence ISO certification isn’t held permanently — it must be periodically renewed. At ELBEX, we are dedicated to maintaining and exceeding ISO standards so we can deliver great results for our customers, while also finding new innovations that help us become even more effective in our work. With ISO certification, you can have confidence in ELBEX’s capabilities to ensure quality in the rubber extrusion industry. We are committed to upholding the highest standards for every project — including yours.
Want more information?
ELBEX Corporation is an ISO Certified leader in rubber and silicone extrusions manufacturing. Our capabilities include the ability to produce a wide range of profile designs in both dense and sponge materials.
Get In Touch
Phone: 330.673.3233
Fax: 330.673.3235
Email:
info@elbex-us.com
Address: 300 Martinel Dr. Kent, OH 44240
Latest news
We live in a time of rapid change — and this is just as true of the rubber extrusion industry as it is in other areas. At ELBEX, we believe a forward-thinking approach is vital to stay at the forefront of rubber extrusion. Emerging Trends in Rubber Extrusion in 2024 As 2024 begins, several trends have stood out in the rubber extrusion industry. These include advancements in eco-friendly materials, improvements in manufacturing automation, and increased demand for rubber extrusions from emerging markets. At ELBEX, ongoing investments in research and development have proven essential for helping us take advantage of these trends so we can better serve our clients. Incorporating Advanced Technology Manufacturing processes are constantly improving thanks to new technologies such as AI and the internet of things. These technologies enable us to automate certain processes to achieve greater efficiency, quality control, and customization capabilities. Sustainability: A Core Focus for ELBEX in 2024 Energy efficiency and the use of eco-friendly materials have long been a focus at ELBEX, but they are even more important in 2024. Current sustainability initiatives include the use of recycled materials and a focus on implementing energy-efficient processes that minimize waste. Expanding into New Markets and Applications New industries and markets represent a major area of growth for rubber extrusion products. Areas such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart infrastructure will all rely on rubber extrusions, and as such, we must continually research and develop new profiles that will work with these applications. ELBEX’s Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction In the midst of these trends, ELBEX is committed to maintaining high quality standards, as demonstrated through our ISO certification. By taking advantage of the latest industry trends, we can further improve results for our clients and drive meaningful outcomes. With a proactive approach to embracing current and future trends in the world of rubber extrusions, ELBEX is positioned to continue shaping the future of the industry in 2024 and beyond.
One of the most important indicators of a manufacturer’s efficiency is its scrap rate — or the percentage of defective products that need to be thrown away or recycled. At ELBEX, we are proud to consistently achieve low scrap percentages with each job we undertake. The Importance of Low Scrap in Manufacturing In manufacturing, scrap can have significant environmental and economic impacts. Unusable products must be recycled and replaced, which means more time, energy, and materials used in the manufacturing process. This can drive up costs for both the business and its clients, while also creating a larger carbon footprint. ELBEX’s Approach to Minimizing Scrap At ELBEX, we implement a wide variety of steps to minimize scrap, starting by using high-quality materials that are less likely to result in defects. We combine this with the latest in rubber extrusion technology and processes and a skilled team that draws on decades of industry experience. Strong quality control systems help us reduce waste at every step of the process. Impact on Quality and Cost-Effectiveness These practices, which help us achieve a low scrap percentage, ultimately result in higher quality products and less waste. This creates cost savings for everyone involved, as production runs can be completed faster and with less material. Reduced energy consumption also means less of an impact on the environment. ELBEX’s Ongoing Commitment to Improvement ELBEX is committed to continuous improvement, including finding new ways to further reduce scrap and enhance efficiency. By embracing new technology and sourcing the highest-quality materials, we can become even more sustainable and cost-efficient. At ELBEX, we believe our low scrap percentage is an indicator of our efficiency, quality, and environmental responsibility. While there is always room for improvement, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far and how it can help you, too.