Leak testing and functional testing procedures are a very important part of the manufacturing process for valves, fittings, and faucets—however, the design of these machines can be complex and challenging for manufacturers.

Many manufacturers must address high product diversity with hundreds of test item variants, all requiring different fixturing and sealing, leak rates, and pressure specifications for testing. Functional testing is also often required, such as diaphragm tests, valve movements, check valves, pre-setting, latching test or spring forces. The challenge is in accommodating all of these different tests and procedures in one, safe and efficient machine.

With over 40 years’ experience serving manufacturers, innomatec has developed clever solutions that allow for the most efficient and accurate testing of valves and fittings, with manual and automated solutions that make fixturing and sealing as simple as possible, even when testing multiple part variants on one machine.

Many tests must be performing on valves and fittings to ensure they meet product quality requirements. These tests include potentially various types of leak tests, as well as a wide variety of functional testing. Many times, these tests are all combined in one machine, for ease of process. For example, a valve or fitting could first undergo an internal and external leak test(s) (using helium, air, nitrogen, etc.), followed by a flow test, membrane test, valve seat jogging (motion test), latching test, backpressure test, and more.

Many valve and fitting manufacturers also often produce many different models and variants of these products. Depending on the number of different parts and the level of throughput, having a different machine to test each part would be quite inefficient and costly. To make this manufacturing process more efficient and cost-effective, innomatec designs solutions that allow manufacturers to test many different variants of parts using ONE machine, and combine tests so that leak testing and function tests can all be accomplished as part of the same process. Our systems are designed in such a way that they require as few replacement parts as possible - ideally none at all. This reduces both the initial investment costs and the running costs, as fewer wearing parts need to be replaced. The ability to combine different tests and test many part variants with one machine ultimately optimizes the investments in tooling, which can be substantial.

Many different industries rely on valves and fittings including, plumbing (faucets, mixer valves, etc.), refrigerants, HVAC (heating systems), automotive (fueling systems, etc.), food processing, flow cells, and more. Testing requirements will differ based on the materials, design, and requirements of these specific parts and applications in the field. A variety of different leak test methods can be used, though the majority of leak test applications utilize either helium or air leak test methods—both well-served using the power and flexibility of the LTC-802 or LTC-902, depending on your needs.

For applications with very low, strict leak rates, like those found in the food processing industry and gas / refrigerant applications, helium is often the best option for leak detection. For applications testing larger leak rates, like plumbing and other water/liquid-based leaks, air leak testing methods are often sufficient. These tests can then be combined on one machine as needed, along with functional tests and assembly verification. innomatec is experienced in designing efficient and seamless leak and function testing solutions to meet any of your needs, regardless of complexity.