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JUMPING FENCES
Figure 1: Our new laser scanner
facilitates inspection of both large
and complex parts.
Figure 2: Our hose burst test chamber
allows us to guage changes
such as
OD swell.
Figure 3: Our heating block provides
us with precise temperature
control
during fluid resistance tests.
Moving forward sometimes means ignoring boundaries.
by Rick Hudson
Fences disagree with me. A fence is about what’s not possible, and the “can’t do” approach has never been my style. Show me a fence, and I’ll do my best to jump it, climb it, go around it, cut through it, or tear it down completely. That’s just who I am. As a result, I’ve worked hard to remove as many limitations as possible from RL Hudson. To wit, we are ISO 9001 and QS 9000 certified, and our engineering and quality assurance departments are constantly improving. How? In our previous issue, I described several new pieces of equipment that allow us to conduct in-house tensile and compression tests, temperature tests, and compression set tests. If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to cover a few more recent additions now. They include a new video imaging system, a hose burst test chamber, and a heating block for use in fluid resistance tests.
VIDEO IMAGING Video imaging has been a major part of our inspection procedures ever since we purchased our Voyager 1000 system back in 1997. Since then, we have regularly upgraded the Voyager’s hardware and software, and in 2003 we added an Opti-Flex 4000 video imaging system that allows both magnification and direct annotation of images. We have now added a View Benchmark 450 system. As shown in Figure 1, the Benchmark is a laser scanning device with a large 450 mm by 450 mm by 150 mm measuring range. With advanced optics, illumination, and image processing, the Benchmark is ideal for large parts and for nested groups of smaller parts.
Why is video imaging important? With manufactured parts getting both smaller and more complex, the ability to accurately and efficiently inspect them becomes more difficult. Video imaging helps by automating the process, thus ensuring consistency and correlation of results. Video imaging also makes it possible to inspect at levels of magnification and with degrees of precision impossible to achieve by other means.
HOSE BURST TESTS Formed rubber hoses have become a big part of what we provide here at RL Hudson. Consequently, we recently added our own hydrostatic tester with chamber that allows us to run burst tests on hose samples. We can also conduct coupling and O.D. proof testing. As shown in Figure 2, this tester features a 48” long tank and a dual pump system that allows both 0-1000 psi and 0-3000 psi testing. Hose tests are detailed in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) document D 380.
Why are burst tests important? Because they record the pressure at which rupture of a hose sample occurs, burst tests give a very clear indication of a hose’s ability to withstand a given pressure situation. Since the primary function of a hose is to transport fluid without being compromised, burst tests can help verify that a given hose design will meet certain specification criteria and function effectively when pressurized in service.
FLUID RESISTANCE TESTS One of the most respected independent testing facilities serving the rubber and plastics industries is the Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL). In addition to providing expert testing services, ARDL also manufactures testing equipment. As shown in Figure 3, RL Hudson has an aluminum heating block made by ARDL. Featuring a digital temperature controller (up to 400° C maximum operating temperature) and holding up to ten test tubes, this block lets us conduct fluid resistance tests as detailed in ASTM D 471.
Why are fluid resistance tests important? In order to maintain its integrity and function properly, an elastomeric part must be chemically compatible with all substances it contacts in service. For example, a shaft seal lip that is not compatible with the fluid being sealed will be compromised, and leakage will occur. Fluid resistance tests let us evaluate how well a material will withstand the potentially degrading effects of fluids in simulated service conditions.
MORE FENCES AHEAD… As I’m sure you can see, the addition of these new test devices allows our engineering and quality assurance teams to “jump more fences” than ever before. And that, in turn, will translate to even better products and services for our customers, which, after all, has been our goal since day one. Later this year, we at RL Hudson will celebrate our twenty-fifth anniversary. We’ve jumped a great many fences in the past two and a half decades. And, trust me, we’re not about to slow down now.
