THIS WEEK IN QUALITY: Leak Testing, A New Vision Probe and More

Eriez Pull Test Kit

The new pull test kit. (Image courtesy of Eriez.)

Eriez recently introduced the next generation of the company’s Pull Test Kit. Upgrades include a more compact case design with separate compartments for better organization and storage, updated literature and the option of a digital or mechanical scale.

The digital scale with traceable calibration certification (P/N 201512425G2)—which is also available independently of the kit—is designed for customers in food, pharmaceutical and related industries which require calibrated scale certification for auditor purposes. The mechanical scale (P/N 107121E) is offered for customers with less stringent requirements.

Permanent magnetic separators help draw out fine tramp metal along critical points of the production line. It is important to test the holding force of these magnets periodically. In addition to either a mechanical or digital scale, all Eriez Pull Test Kits include all necessary tools and materials as well as instructions to enable users to conduct a proper and valid pull test.

The included literature lists pull test measurement guidelines for specific Eriez magnetic separator models. “While we use the Pull Test Kit as a quality control device, we list typical pull test values to guide you in your inspection,” said Eric Confer, product manager-separation.

“Pull test values can and will vary among separators due to a variety of magnet options,” Confer added. “We suggest you use the kit not to verify the values listed, but to monitor your separator’s performance over time. Record the pull test results of your periodic inspections to evaluate any changes in magnetic performance.”

For more information, visit the Eriez website.

INFICON Leak Testing Solution

The Ecotec E3000 leak detector. (Image courtesy of INFICON.)

INFICON's Ecotec E3000 multi-gas leak detector is designed to quantitatively detect both refrigerant and fuel simultaneously without sounding false alarms from other materials such as washer fluids and coolants.

"High-pressure fuel systems present a particular challenge to automakers," said Thomas Parker, INFICON's automotive sales manager for North America. "No one wants fuel under high pressure spraying over a hot engine."

INFICON provides systems to detect refrigerant leaks in mobile air-conditioning systems, as well as to find fuel leaks in direct-injection systems on the assembly line.

"INFICON is critically aware of the issues driving changes in automotive refrigerants and high-pressure fuel systems," Parker said. "R-134a has a pressure of about 300 psi, but its global warming potential rating is about 1,300 (after 100 years). By comparison, the GWP for methane is 23 and for NOx is 298. R-134a is likely to be discontinued by 2020."

Pressure-decay testing on an assembly line can only detect leaks of between 1,000 to 10,000 grams/year, Parker noted, adding that these tests cannot detect leaks at a level that meets SAE standards for mobile air conditioning components that are at a very small 2-5 grams/year level.

Parker explained that Ecotec E3000 also is well-suited for mixed refrigerant production lines. The phase out of R-134a creates a situation in which older vehicle models using R-134a will roll down the same assembly line as newer models with HFO-1234y. A leak detector that can detect both refrigerants and distinguish between them is a necessity for this type of mixed production line.

Ecotec E3000 is currently in use at three North American assembly plants to test gasoline direct-injection fuel connections on production lines. Those plants can leak test for both fuel and refrigerant leaks in 20 seconds or less.

For more information, visit the INFICON website.

Mahr Federal Digital Caliper

The Multimar 25 EWR digital universal caliper. (Image courtesy of Mahr Federal.)

The new Multimar 25 EWR Digital Universal Caliper from Mahr Federal is intended as a versatile and configurable caliper for ID and OD measurement requirements. Available in four capacities with outside measuring ranges up to 1250 mm (50”), the 25 EWR is designed for measuring outside and inside dimensions, narrow collars, external and internal tapers, dovetails, grooves, distances between hole centers, for centering shoulders, scribing work pieces and more.

Unlike standard calipers, both measuring arms of the 25 EWR can be moved along the beam, thus functioning like a beam-gage and providing well-balanced weight distribution even with small dimensions.

The application range can be extended by reversing the interchangeable measuring arms. Plus, the digital display is always in the operator’s line of vision due to the patented mounting fixture of the measuring arms and attachments provided.

The Multimar 25 EWR also features a range of measuring arms, anvils, mounting attachments and depth stops, which can be configured by the user. Anvils and tips are available in a variety of shapes and configurations, including threads, flat and spherical shoulders, blades and round faces.

Depth stops can be set to the exact measuring depth in the horizontal measurement position to provide precise support on the reference plane surface. This improves repetitive accuracy when conducting comparison measurements in the second axis, and when used with a rectangular gage block, can provide accurate depth measurement on cones.

Data output is via USB, Digimatic, Opto RS232C, or wireless and battery life is about 3 years. The Multimar 25 EWR Universal Caliper provides IP 65 protection for all workshop conditions, and is supplied with battery, instruction manual, hardwood mounting and resting blocks and a wooden case.

For more information, visit the Mahr Federal website.

Renishaw Non-Contact Vision Probe

The RVP non-contact vision probe in action. (Image courtesy of Renishaw.)

RVP, Renishaw's new vision measurement probe for use with the REVO 5-axis measurement system on coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), increases the multi-sensor capability of REVO by adding non-contact inspection to the existing touch-trigger, high-speed tactile scanning and surface finish measurement capability of the system.

For certain applications, non-contact inspection provides clear advantages over traditional tactile probing techniques. Thin sheet metal parts, components with large numbers of holes as small as 0.5 mm and parts which are not suited to tactile measurement can be fully inspected with the RVP system. RVP also gives improvements in throughput and CMM capability by utilizing the 5-axis motion and infinite positioning provided by the REVO head.

The RVP system consists of a probe and a range of modules that are automatically interchangeable with all other probe options available for REVO. Data from multiple sensors is automatically referenced to a common datum. This flexibility means that the optimum tool can be selected to inspect a wide range of features, all on one CMM platform.

When using RVP, part illumination is provided by integrated programmable LED lighting inside each module. Background feature enhancement is also available using backlighting combined with custom part fixturing.

The RVP system is managed by the same I++ DME compliant interface as REVO and full user functionality is provided by Renishaw's MODUSTM metrology software. New MODUS vision software capability includes RVP configuration, image processing with application specific options and automatic image storage for review and further analysis.

For more information, visit the Renishaw website.

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