Simrit Xpress(TM) Process Now Offers More Sizes for Fluid Power and Prototype Designs

Technology Specialist adds additional features to help fit customers' needs

PLYMOUTH, Mich., April 5 -- Simrit -- the industrial products division of Plymouth, Mich.-based Freudenberg-NOK -- today announced the addition of a 30-inch computer numeric control (CNC) lathe to its Simrit Xpress(TM) technology. With the new equipment, Simrit can now produce fluid power and prototype seal designs in-house up to 30 inches (760 millimeters) and can better meet the needs of its distributors, steel-mill, press, mining and oil field customers.

Simrit Xpress was introduced by the company last year as a cost-effective solution for low quantity production or rapid prototypes. The technology uses a CNC lathe that is integrated with advanced computer software to custom produce seals. Customers can design products online that are made from the highest quality materials, receive instant price quotes and usually have their product shipped within 24 hours by using the Simrit Xpress link found on the company's website (http://www.simrit.com/ ).

Simrit is also planning to add other custom seal profiles, such as several new polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) products, and rotary and cover seals, to its nearly 200 standard seals already available.

In addition to the $250,000 in raw material that is always available for immediate processing, the company is doubling its stock of hydrolysis- resistant polyurethane (H-Poly), nylon and nitrile rubber (NBR) to provide customers with quick service. A wide variety of other materials can usually be secured for Simrit Xpress processing within three days.

Another new feature of the Simrit Xpress process is all online quotations now come with an inspection/certification print and housing dimensions to help reduce errors during the design stage. All Simrit customers and distributors (including the end-user) can access this module to follow the development of their order from start to finish, creating a virtual online production cell.

"Simrit Xpress is one of the most comprehensive systems available for cost-effective seal solutions and is backed with our world-class engineering and unsurpassed expertise," said Scott Sulhan, new business development manager for Simrit. "As our Simrit Xpress business grows, we are excited to add technology and features that not only meet our customers' requirements, but exceed their expectations."

A market leader in the aerospace, industrial and agriculture/construction market segments, Simrit draws from more than 150 years of experience and well- known brand names including Freudenberg(R), NOK(R), Disogrin(R), Merkel and International Seal(R).

The Simrit division is based at Freudenberg-NOK's headquarters in Plymouth, Mich. Freudenberg-NOK is part of the Freudenberg and NOK Group Companies, which have total annual sales of nearly $7 billion. The global Freudenberg and NOK Group offers an extensive portfolio of precision-molded products for the aerospace, agriculture/construction, appliance, automotive, diesel engine, marine, medical and recreational vehicle markets.

For more information, visit the Simrit website at http://www.simrit.com/ .