Precision Parts

The first part of Sechrist’s manufacturing process begins with receiving. All critical items are machined at Sechrist.  The latest CMM (coordinate measuring machine) technology is utilized to verify each manufactured part via precision measurements.  As in any manufacturing process, some raw materials are outsourced to vendors that manufacture these parts to our specific design. All materials that are not machined in-house are received and inspected. Parts undergo one of two types of inspections:

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (A.S.M.E.) Approval:
  Parts that require A.S.M.E. approval are inspected by an authorized
  outside agent

• Sechrist inspection: All other parts are carefully measured and analyzed by Sechrist inspectors

Metal Parts

Hyperbaric chambers have to withstand pressures of up to three atmospheres. Therefore, the metal endplate and door require special engineering. Sechrist maintains uncompromised design and does not employ low-cost alternatives such as casting. Our metal parts are machined at Sechrist from 3-inch thick aluminum.

To ensure safety and quality, Sechrist hard anodizes all critical metal parts. In addition, Sechrist takes extra safety precautions by not painting any internal metal parts. This prevents the risk of any polyurethane emissions in a pressure vessel. Anodizing guarantees longer wear and eliminates any potential health risks.

Benefits of the Sechrist process:

• All parts inspected
  
• All critical parts are manufactured at Sechrist to maintain quality levels
  
• Metal parts are machined, not casted
  
• Anodizing for areas of high use for safety and longer wear
  
• Sechrist manufacturing process meets or exceeds numerous safety standards

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Machine Shop

Over 500 parts are machined at the Sechrist facility using state-of-the art Computer Numerical Controlled (C.N.C.) machines run by Numerical Controlled (N.C.) programming.  Sechrist can program the machines with a master computer system or manually depending upon the need for each specific part.. The dimensions are pulled then the program is written, then the Direct Numerical Control system transfers the program from the master computer to the machine controller. Machines are tailored for specific part. Once the precision parts are produced, finished, anodized (if necessary) re-inspected and tested, each of the quality, HBO ASME parts manufactured by Sechrist are heat numbered in order to identify the raw materials. In this way, Sechrist knows the physical and chemical characteristics of the materials in their products. All of which produces a more reliable piece of medical equipment.

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The Sechrist Cylinder

Making of the Sechrist Cylinder

As the only hyperbaric cylinder manufacturer in the USA, Sechrist takes pride in the processes that we have developed which result  in the supreme quality of our cylinders. 

First the acrylic powder is sifted to eliminate contaminates. Then the powder is mixed with polymers, lucite and epoxy. Then it is poured into a mold and rotated in a centrifuge, pressurized and heated. The cylinder boring process was developed by Sechrist specifically for hyperbaric chambers.  For every acrylic cylinder made, test pieces from the batch are tested by an independent laboratory to verify PVHO-1 requirements.

Once the acrylic mold is made, it is carefully inspected for inclusions. Once it passes that inspection, they are sanded, detailed and polished by hand so the cylinders are crystal clear. The polishing process developed and utilized by Sechrist is not only  automated, but includes a labor intensive hand polishing process.   After the cylinder is polished, it is annealed for 30 to 36 hours to strengthen the cylinder. After the heating, it is manually detailed again.

Sechrist Cylinder Widths for Optimal O2 Usage

Cylinder widths:

• 28 inch diameter
  
• 32 inch diameter
  
• 35.5 inch diameter

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