Cost-Effective Dimensional Stability with PPS Components

Background Information

A food production plant experienced a malfunction in one of its manufacturing machines due to dimensional changes in PTFE components. The parts expanded and contracted with temperature fluctuations, causing production issues. Initially, the customer considered replacing the components with PEEK, a high-performance plastic known for its exceptional dimensional stability. However, the project’s tight budget made PEEK an expensive solution. The customer turned to Yumoto Electric to find a reliable and cost-effective alternative.

Problem Statement

PTFE components, while resistant to moisture, have a high linear expansion rate, making them prone to dimensional instability when exposed to temperature changes. Plastics in general expand more than metals, and fluoropolymers like PTFE are especially sensitive.

PEEK, though highly stable, food-safe, and resistant to heat, chemicals, and wear, was too costly for the project’s budget. The challenge was to identify a material that could:

• Maintain dimensional stability under temperature changes

• Endure continuous use in a high-temperature production environment

• Remain within the customer’s cost constraints

Solution Implementation

After reviewing the part’s size, function, and operating environment, Yumoto Electric proposed PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) as a replacement material.

PPS is a super engineering plastic like PEEK, offering excellent heat resistance, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability, while costing only a fraction of PEEK—roughly one-quarter to one-half the price. Though its heat tolerance is slightly lower than PEEK, PPS met the required specifications for the customer’s application, enabling reliable production without exceeding budget limits.

By changing the material rather than over-engineering the machining process, the team was able to deliver high-performance components quickly and cost-effectively.

Results

The PPS components maintained dimensional stability under operating temperatures and performed reliably on the production line. The customer was able to avoid costly PEEK parts while still achieving consistent, high-quality results.

Customer Feedback

“We found Yumoto Electric online and placed our order. This was our first time working with the company, and we are very satisfied with both the price and quality. We requested quotes from other companies, but they all said it was impossible within our budget. Yumoto Electric was the only company that considered our requirements and made production possible at a reasonable cost. We look forward to working with them again.”
— Manufacturing company, Tokyo