Why APM Should Be Your Sole Provider

APM HEXSEAL was formed in 1947 with the express purpose of developing sealing products for the U.S. Military for equipment operating in the most adverse conditions and harshest environments. During WWII, the U.S. Military recognized the need to environmentally protect critical equipment’s controls. APM stepped up to their challenge and assisted with development of the MIL-B-5423 (now MIL-DTL-5423) specification to meet these stringent requirements. Indeed, this military specification was written based on APM’s proven design and manufacturing processes. APM proceeded to engineer a full line of switch, potentiometer and circuit breaker seals that could operate reliably to 100,000 plus actuations. And, year after year, these boots passed rigorous, independent QPL military inspection/equivalent. They also carry UL Recognition and continue to pass this rigorous third party testing. We then further developed and patented our complimentary line of self-sealing fasteners and washers which were first used on our circuit breaker seal’s mounting flange to provide added sealing protection (IP66/68 ingress rating). APM has in excess of 100 patents to its name including our “trigger” to help actuate switches/breakers where necessary and the recently filed IQ 1030 toggle switch boot patent pending application. Our imitators have never innovated or had any patents … not even one.

APM seals have seen service in every military conflict since WWII. More than 50 million HEXSEAL® switch boots have been produced in a wide variety of types and sizes for military, commercial and industrial applications throughout the world. Installed by more than 200,000 customers, APM is the prime supplier for the boating industry, beverage dispensing machines, combat equipment of all kinds, off-road vehicles, medical equipment and a broad range of instrumentation and communications equipment, etc.

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This may be true, but imitators can be problematic and at times even catastrophic to the unwary. This is especially true today, with customers demanding reliable performance in all environments and when failure (during or after warranty) can give the manufacturer a bad reputation that will be difficult to erase. You can make a product that looks like someone else’s, but appearances are often deceiving. There can be significant manufacturing process differences creating more problems than they solve and usually not evident until after installation. For example – our patented HEXSEAL® switch sealing silicon rubber boots are bonded to the metal insert (bushing) mounting-nut using a proprietary process. This technique is as much an art as it is a science. Done incorrectly, separation of rubber from the metal can occur. The silicon itself, if not properly blended and processed, can outgas. Ironically, it is the outgassing that can migrate and deposit on nearby electronic components and switch contacts, causing premature failure which the boot itself was supposed to prevent. Built-in UV resistance is also paramount to longevity and is another example of the importance of elastomerics fabrication experience.

I urge you to be skeptical about unsupported claims made on the internet by neophytes with no track record or exaggerated experience. They may present themselves as manufacturers, but in reality, are unauthorized pseudo-distributors masquerading as an OEM. They actually purchase our products from our distributors and then resell them as their own. All authentic HEXSEAL® boots have our logo molded on to them; all others are just Chinese copies. Their website may exude sizzle, but there’s no substance. APM’s website includes real life application successes, downloadable drawings, a vast national and international distribution network, worldwide sales representation, a broad product line set forth in our catalogs, 1,049 National Stock Numbers (used by the U.S. government for purchasing), unrivaled technical support availability, and a first-rate machine shop that produces actual custom products. If you have a technical problem, our engineers will work with you to solve it. Our imitators lack the experience and substance in terms of production capability, technical assistance, distributor network, local sales support team and any track record. Authentic HEXSEAL® boots and self sealing fasteners are genuine and proven performers and reflect our mission statement:

“COMPLETE SEALING SOLUTIONS, TOTAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION”.

Sincerely,
William C. Foster
General Manager

About APM's Sealing Boots Division:
The Electronics Division of APM HEXSEAL develops and manufactures environmental protection sealing components for controls that are mounted on switches, potentiometers, encoders, and circuit breakers. Using advanced elastomer molding technology, a broad range of sealing boots are produced to match most controls manufactures’ standard part numbers. Most are IP66/68 ingress protection rated and UL recognized.

About APM's Self-Sealing Fastener Division:
The APM line of high-pressure, reusable, self-sealing fasteners includes self-sealing screws, self-sealing locking nuts, self-sealing locking bolts, self-sealing rivets, and self-sealing washers all designed to seal in/out air, water, lubricants and other liquid or gaseous contaminants.

COMPLETE SEALING SOLUTIONS. TOTAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.