A practical guide to submitting a groove drawing.

A clear groove drawing is the single biggest factor in how fast and how accurately we can quote a custom seal. Incomplete drawings are the most common reason a quote gets delayed, so here's exactly what to include before you send one over.

Groove dimensions and tolerances

Provide the groove width, depth or diameter, and any radii, along with their tolerance bands rather than just nominal values. Seal fit is sensitive to these tolerances, and a nominal-only drawing forces us to guess at the actual working range.

Bore and rod diameters with finish

Include the mating bore or rod diameter and its surface finish. A rough or unusually fine finish changes which compound and lip design will perform best, so this detail directly affects the material recommendation, not just the fit.

Operating pressure and temperature range

State the maximum working pressure, any pressure spikes from shock loading, and the expected temperature range in service. These two factors largely determine whether a backup ring is needed and which material family is appropriate.

Fluid type and duty cycle

Tell us the hydraulic fluid or process media in contact with the seal, and whether the application is continuous, intermittent, or static. Chemical compatibility and wear life both depend heavily on this, and it's the detail most often left off a drawing.

A sample, where possible

If you're replacing a failed or worn seal, a physical sample alongside the drawing helps us confirm profile geometry and spot wear patterns that point to a root cause beyond the seal itself.

Format and submission

A standard CAD export (DWG, DXF, or PDF with dimensions) works well; a clear photograph with a ruler against the part is an acceptable starting point if a formal drawing isn't available yet.

With these details in hand, we can typically turn around a custom quote within a few working days. If you're not sure which dimensions matter most for your specific application, send what you have and we'll follow up with the exact measurements we still need.