Advantages & Disadvantages of Standardizing O-Rings

Standardization of O-Ring Sizes

When the O-Ring concept was originally developed, there was no standardization of sizes. Product designers and manufacturers would design O-ring seals specifically for their applications and machinery, meaning O-Ring suppliers would only produce specific sizes they had customers for. Very few sizes, if any, were used by more than one customer and this lack of standardization discouraged O-Ring manufacturers from producing in the most economical quantities.


The United States government recognized the commercial need for standardized O-Ring sizes and developed the aerospace size standard chart (AS568). The AS568 size chart identifies standard sizing by inside diameter and cross-sectional thickness, with reference dimensions for outside diameter. Other standard size charts include British Standard (BS), European standard, and Japanese standard.

 

Advantages & Disadvantages of Standardization
Advantages	Disadvantages
Fewer parts to manage in inventory and manufacturing Reduced training costs and time More routine purchasing, handling, inspection procedures Orders fillable more quickly from inventory Opportunities for long production runs and automation Need for fewer parts justifies expenditures on perfecting designs and improving quality control procedures	Designs may be limited High cost of design changes increases resistance to improvements Decreased variety results in less consumer appeal