are simple to manufacture, ideally suited
to highly automated, high volume production and, after basic manufacture, can
be easily coiled or formed into special shapes and configurations and combined
into special assemblies. Tooling costs are seldom incurred unless special forms,
trims and channel shapes or secondary assembly tooling is required. Felton manufactures
strip brushes by laying filaments (natural, synthetic or wire) over a continuous
metal channel while it is being formed into a "U" shape. A binding
wire is forced down into the partially formed channel, forcing the bristle material
down to the bottom of the newly formed channel. The bristle material aligns
vertically as the strip is closed together. Brushes are then trimmed to the
required height and cut to length automatically. Lengths are virtually unlimited.
Pieces as short as 3/8" are possible in the smaller strip sizes and lengths
up to 12 feet are easily manufactured.
Strip brushes can be manufactured in a wide range of standard and special configurations.
The metal holding channels (of steel, stainless, or brass) and metal or plastic
binding wires offer malleability for forming and coiling yet provide consistent
dimensional stability and repeatability with structural integrity. Virtually
any type of filament can be inserted into the metal channel as well as solid
materials such as felt, plastic and rubber; alone, or combined with the bristle
material. The advantage of Felton's strip brush construction is that, along
with the wide range of design possibilities, strip brushes require minimum labor
and low tooling costs for high output production on a highly repeatable basis.
METAL STRIP BRUSHES OFFER MAXIMUM DESIGN FLEXIBILITY:
10 Standard Sizes
Widths from .100" to .465"
Formed Shapes
High Volume Production
Repeatable dimensions
Close Tolerances
Coils, Internal and External
Ideal for Assemblies
CHANNEL MATERIALS
Different manufacturers may use the same Size, Letter or Number for a strip
brush. There are often however, significant differences in the actual dimensions
after forming. Thus, if the strip brush is to be inserted into an extrusion,
holder, bracket assembly or mating part; it should be submitted and retained
by Felton to be used as an additional gauge to insure proper fit.
Felton's unique "h" back strip brushes combine brush
and mounting flange into one unit. For the OEM designer, maintenance or process
engineer, "h" back strip brushes eliminate parts, facilitate assembly
and reduce cost and installation time. A wide range of special options and additional
sizes are available to the OEM user. In addition, five standard size "h"
back brushes with a variety of bristle materials are available from stock.
OPTIONAL CHANNEL SHAPES
Many styles of special channel shapes are possible. Tooling for forming tools
would be required. Some of the special shapes we have produced are:
If you have a specific requirement for a special channel shape,
please request a quotation.
FLEX-GUARD® flexible containment seals solve in-plant problems with air,
dust, sound, light, chip, spray and pest control. Stocked in 12' lengths...in
16 extrusion or holder shapes and up to 10 separate brush heights per size.
We offer the design and production engineer nearly one-hundred variations of
brush seal products...from stock, in twelve bristle textures and materials.
Stapled brushes offer the brush designer a wider range of individual
brush design options than any other single brush style. From single tuft to
complex designs stapled brushes can be produced in small quantities on semiautomatic
machines or in high volume on highly automated computer controlled tufting equipment.
Practically any type and size of bristle material, block or core material, tuft
pattern or brush size is within the range of possibility. When new designs require
tooling, brush patterns are now generated with CAD programs that not only reduce
the time needed to produce tools but also at a much lower cost.
Stapled brushes consist of tufts of filaments inserted into drilled or molded
holes in a solid block or core of wood, plastic, composite, rubber or leather.
The doubled over tuft is secured with a staple at the base of the hole. As the
tufted pattern is filled, the brush fibers are then trimmed or cut to the required
height, either as a part of the machine stapling process, or as a secondary
operation at a separate trimming station. The staple material is usually made
from a lacquer finish, steel wire. If the application requires special materials
as additional protection against corrosion from moisture or chemicals, staples
can be made from stainless steel or brass wire. Staple diameter and length is
determined by the size and depth of the tuft hole, the type of bristle material
being inserted and, the tuft retention requirements of the specific application.
Stapled brushes are manufactured in six BASIC SHAPES or STYLES
STAPLED BRUSH DESIGNS
Stapled brushes are manufactured in six basic shapes or styles.
Requirements of the application and the characteristics of the bristle material
being used usually determine hole patterns and the densities of stapled brushes.
Today's computer controlled brush making machines are only limited by block
shape and certain size restrictions. Tuft hole diameters can vary from as small
as .086" up to 7/16" and larger. Hole depth is usually at least 1-1/2
times the hole diameter but this ratio can be reduced in certain applications
where stapled retention can be assured.
Tufts holes are usually vertical but can be angled (flared or
converged) for specific applications.
Size ranges of stapled brushes are nearly unlimited. Brushes too small or too
large to be made on automated equipment can always be made in semiautomatic
and hand operated machines. Stapled brushes can be single tuft, end style brushes
as small as 1/8" diameter or huge, flat brushes for metal stamping machine
beds. They can be twelve feet or longer cylinder brushes (same as large as six
feet in diameter) for washing trucks and buses, sheet metal or carpet; or thousands
of in-between sizes and shapes for countless applications. This chart lists
size ranges and design options for staple set brushes that can be manufactured
on Felton's existing equipment. Special tooling can be designed to handle other
requirements that fall outside this range of capabilities.
Ferrule brushes, with their many possible shapes and densities,
are ideal for applications requiring the transfer or application of materials
or liquids onto a surface. They are also well suited to use as special dust
and static control tools. Most special ferrule brushes designed and manufactured
by Felton are made without handles and are designed as original equipment components
for accessories for machinery or systems. Special tooling costs are usually
very low or not required at all. Whether low volume or mass production quantities
are required, ferrule brushes offer economical solutions for difficult and unusually
product requirements.
Ferrule brushes, one of the oldest brush constructions, are
manufactured by inserting fill material into some type of ferrule or holder
and securing it with a bonding agent or mechanical lock. The addition of a plug
allows for varying densities required in different applications. Ferrules can
be of almost any material and shape. The most common styles are rectangular
and round. Metal ferrules are often formed from seamless brass or stainless
tubing or cut from almost any type of synthetic or metal tube stock. Lapped,
soldered and locked seam ferrules are also uses. Higher volume applications
often use injection molded plastic ferrules, specialized plastic or metal extrusions
or screw machine parts. Virtually any material that can be machines, stamped,
rolled, molded, drawn, cast or extruded can be used in ferrule design.
Most ferrule brush designs use an air-cured epoxy resin Bonding
Agent to hold the bristles together and retain them in the ferrule. This special
epoxy, designed specifically for brushes, has a moisture absorption rate of
less than 2% and is highly solvent resistant
Fill materials commonly used in ferrule brushes are: Hog Bristle,
Horsehair, Goat Hair, Squirrel (Camel) Hair, Nylons and Polyester (level, hollow,
tapered), Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Tampico fiber, fine diameter wire, Carbon
Fibers Stainless Steel yarn, and various combinations of the above.
Trim Shapes can be varied for each application. Most ferrule brushes will fall
into one of four styles.
Handles can be supplied to fit most styles of ferrule brushes. Hardwoods are usually
the most economical. Metal handles can be used as electrical conductors, to allow
mechanical attaching and, to incorporate pneumatic or gravity flow devices. Molded
plastic handles offer the greatest design flexibility and are ideal for consumer
product applications where higher volumes make it easier to justify initial mold
tooling costs.
Tolerances shown are normally maintained on finished brushes. Tighter controls
can be met for special applications, especially when machined or molded parts
are used as ferrules.
Felton Brush Inc. is the leading manufacturer of special brush
products for a wide variety of industries. We apply our integrated approach
to brush design and production with the capability of designing and manufacturing
all styles of brush construction. We offer the design engineer the best option
for solving each application, considering the specific requirements of tolerances,
performance, esthetics, quality and cost. From stock products and "one-of-a-kind"
brushes to "state-of-the-art", high volume requirements, we supply
deferentiated products that meet our customers' needs.
Let us put our 150 years of brush design experience to work for you.
FLEX-GUARD® brush seal products are stock items that have
evolved from special metal strip bush applications.Originally designed forweather
stripping and environmental control applications, these flexible bristle products
are used to economically solve an increasingly broad range of in-plant problems
as well as OEM applications, from electronic equipment to recreational vehicles.
More than 200 variations of FLEX-GUARD® brushes are available from stock.
They include many fill diameters, bristle materials, trim lengths, backing sizes
and holding or mounting options. If standard FLEX-GUARD® seals cannot meet
your application needs, our custom options are virtually limitless.
FLEX-GUARD® Metal Strip Construction
The most popular construction style is our Flat Back design.
The flexible bristles are formed into the metal permanently locking all components
together. The brush is used in it's straight configuration or is easily coiled
or formed into a wide range of shapes and styles.
NEW Felton "h" Strip Combines Brush, Strip & Mounting
The "h" Strip is a new FLEX-GUARD® Product from
Felton that combines strip brush, brush seal and mounting flange into an "all-in-one"
design. For the OEM designer, maintenance personnel or production engineer,
the "h" Strip eliminates parts, facilitates assembly and reduces cost
and installation time. Standard "h" Strip brushes have 1-1/4 exposed
trim and are available from stock in six foot lengths, filled with a choice
of .003", .006" and .012" nylon, .012" polypropylene or
medium stiff black horsehair. A wide range of special options and additional
sizes are available to the OEM high volume user.
FLEX-GUARD® flexible bristle brushes provide the ideal solution
to hundreds of industrial maintenance problems. The nylon bristles nest tightly
together to cover surface gaps effectively, yet allow the passage of levers,
handles, moving belts and even workers hands, when necessary. Then they quickly
close back into original position, performing the intended task.
Nylon bristles have unsurpassed flexibility, recovery and abrasion resistance,
providing a product that offers superior life and performance, FLEX-GUARD®
brushes are used in virtually all corners of the globe. In Alaska, hangar doors
are sealed against frigid temperatures and blowing snow. In the Arabian desert
FLEX-GUARD® seals control heat and fine sand. Throughout the United States
FLEX-GUARD® brushes keep pests out of food storage areas. On the highways
of the world, FLEX-GUARD® brushes control splash and spray from the wheels
of "over-the-road" haulers. FLEX-GUARD® brush products reduce
the movement of air, restrict smoke and fumes, screen out noise, dampen vibrations
and provide safety guards on all types of industrial machinery.
Hundreds of Size and Shape Options from Stock
Felton and our customers have developed many effective and easy
ways to utilize FLEX-GUARD® flexible brush products.
We maintain an inventory of a broad range of brush and mounting
sizes and styles with varying lengths and stiffness of nylon and polypropylene
bristles. These stock products are available in six and twelve foot lengths
and can easily be cut to length as needed. In addition, Felton can bend or form
these standard brushes into the special shapes you need for the application
and we can make internal and external rings and coils and provide special trim
shapes if needed. When quantities get large enough for a special manufacturing
setup, considerable cost savings and even more design flexibility is possible.
Felton has eight sizes of stock brushes from as small as 1/10 inch (.010")
wide and 1/2" (.500") wide and 20" high. With more than 20 bristle
trim lengths, we can provide the best standard brush to effectively and economically
solve your application need. If we don't have a stock product suited to your
requirement, Felton has the capability to manufacture exactly the right FLEX-GUARD®
brush for the job.
In one application, empty boxes tended to tumble down an incline; side brushes
controlled the motion and position with slight pressure on the boxes' sides
as they move down the conveyor
CUT NOISE LEVELS STABILIZE - CONVEYOR TRAFFIC
- CLOSE OUT PAINT BOOTH TRACKS
Button Bed Brush
Use button brushes on your turret head press
Replace metal roller balls
Prevent scratches, marring
The New Number One Selling Button Brush
Stapleset Bed Brush
These traditional brush style (stapleset) modules, can be cut to any size to
best fill your machine bed layout, AND they can be easily replaced as needed
PVC Snap-In Brush Bed Strip
Easy in, easy out
-- Insert Bed Brush --
snap in------------------or-------------------slide in
Rectangular brushes (Strips, Lag and Flat Styles) are the basic,
most widely used brush shape and the easiest to design and manufacture. A long,
thin rectangular block, with one or two rows of tufts, characterizes strip bushes.
Lag brushes are also on long rectangular blocks, are generally longer than 24"
and have three or more rows of tufts. All other rectangular block brushes are
considered to be flat style. Common block laterals are: hardwood and molded
wood flour, injection molded, foam molded, extruded and machined plastics; leather,
rubber, resin impregnated paper and various composites which can provide acceptable
staple retention.
Wheel and Cylinder Brushes have tufts inserted into a round
block or brush core. If the overall brush diameter is larger or equal to the
brush face length, the brush is designated a Wheel. If the brush face is longer
than the overall diameter, the brush is designated a Cylinder. Both types are
designed to be powered. They can be supplied with shaft hole or arbor hole as
well as mounting collars, through shafts or stub shafts. Core materials are
usually one-piece machined hardwood or molded or extruded plastics.
Face and End Brushes. Round brush blocks with the tuft holes
inserted parallel to the axis, at right angles to the largest diameter are called
face brushes. Designed to be powered, they either have a center shaft hole or
a center mounted drive mechanism or collar to affix to the shaft. End brushes
are small sized, (1/4" - 1 1/2") molded or machined blocks with the
bristle material inserted into the end. They usually have a single tuft but
several tufts are sometimes required.
