RUBBER SOLUTIONS FOR MILITARY GEAR AND EQUIPMENT >
PRODUCT CASE STUDY
TANK STEP
CHALLENGE
Our client came to us with a practical problem with their military vehicle. The interior of the vehicle was designed with a number of exposed hard, sharp corners and edges, creating a dangerous situation for military personnel in combat. The customer decided to develop a part to cover up the problem areas, and called on Midwest Rubber to help ensure the tank step part would be the perfect long-term, durable solution.
SOLUTION
While developing this part, we considered foam molding instead of die cutting, folding and gluing. Further research of the vehicle’s interior revealed that the material we were considering would never withstand the “real life” purpose this product would serve. Soldiers were using the area it covered as a step to exit the vehicle! Almost any foam part, whether die cut or molded, wouldn’t hold up to this usage. Knowing this, we chose a more durable material for the cover that would hold up to being stepped on over time. Our research really paid off for this project.
For this project, we created a mold that perfectly covered a military vehicle’s battery cable connection, despite its unique shape. Because of our talented engineers and custom-developed equipment and materials, Midwest Rubber often takes on challenges other manufacturers aren’t capable of handling.
When a client came to us with a rush order and we did not have the necessary tooling available, it didn’t stop us! We used the client’s reference material (a 2D print from the 1980s) to create models for both the part, and the tooling needed to produce it.
Our slush molding process allowed us to develop and produce a large one-piece shifter boot that met our customer’s specific requirements of covering two levers and protecting the shifter from desert sand.
Our research during this project paid off. While developing this part, which was intended to cover sharp areas inside military vehicles, our research revealed that the material we were considering would never withstand the “real life” purpose this product was serving: soldiers used the area it covered as a step to exit the vehicle! Knowing this, we chose a more durable material for the cover that would hold up to being stepped on over time.
WHY MIDWEST RUBBER?
Durability
We can promise that our products perform better and longer than our competition. How? We test each and every design in-house, making sure it can withstand daily wear and tear for years to come. We will also assist in the design process when needed, providing guidance so you receive the best solution possible. Quantifying and testing our solutions ensures that our customers are guaranteed the best results.
