Automotive

VTech UNO He Adds Value to Helium Leak Detection

A construction equipment manufacturer in Europe recently installed a VTech UNO He Automatic Leak Testing machine, customized to meet their specific requirements, including:

• Integration of commercial helium sniffer
• External keyboard designed for rugged use
• Vacuum pump for deeper vacuum and time savings
• Special Butterfly type connection adapters
• Gross leak Pressure Test
• Stack Light

If you are using a standalone Helium Leak Detector to pinpoint leaks, you may not be getting the most out of it; without an evacuation and precision tracer gas filling system, limitations are put on the test which could result in inconsistent leak rates. Evacuation, either with a Venturi vacuum generator or rotary vane vacuum pump, allows gas to be distributed evenly throughout the unit under test. And, without exact pressurization of the helium gas, a less accurate leak rate may result. Furthermore, pressure decay prior to tracer gas leak detection is important to avoid excessive background concentrations that could render the unit inoperative for minutes, even hours.

A quick look at the sequence of operation shows the value provided by the VTech UNO He:

At the beginning of the cycle the operator digits the product code using the external key-board and starts the cycle. The machine carries out the pressure test, the gas exhaust, evacuation and the helium charge, and then waits for the operator to perform the manual sniffing test. The operator carries out the sniffing test and then prints out the result by means of the leak detector’s remote panel, shown at right.  

The machine’s PC receives the data file and automatically carries on the helium discharge and final evacuation by means of a Venturi device in order to eliminate the presence of helium in the test area. Then, it archives the leak test process data such as nitrogen pressure, helium pressure, vacuum level, product code and operator code and test time and date. Should a warranty issue arise, the data is easily retrievable. This is important when it comes to expensive equipment that can cost a lot to repair in the field. Data-logging or trending is a useful tool to help eliminate future errors.

The benefits of process know-how are the essentials of equipment design; this is where knowing your process is our job.