Career Management

"What do you mean we also have to leak test it?!" This is a rant commonly heard in the manufacturing industry because leak testing is so frequently regarded as a necessary evil and a non-value-added service. Non-value added means that the part undergoes leak testing in one state, and then exits the machine in the same state. Sure, we've proven its integrity, but there have been no additional pieces added or assembly performed, nothing to increase the value of the part as it moves through the machine. With a little creativity and forethought though, this doesn't necessarily have to be the case.

Our company has been performing leak testing on a variety of materials for years, and has a proven track record of success. We've tested everything from small components that would fit in the palm of your hand using low pressure pneumatic testing at 7 PSI to structural castings utilizing hydraulic leak testing at 2000 PSI. We've additionally done chamber testing for more complex parts. This is all fine and well but what about the added value? Well, a customer of ours recently approached us to discuss building a pair of machines for him. The first was a bushing press while the second was a leak tester for the assembled part. By looking beyond just the specific function and truly looking at the customer's needs, we were able to design one machine that was capable of performing both functions. In this case, it just so happened that the motion of pressing the bushings into this particular part was the same motion needed for the sealing plate of a leak tester. Our engineers were able to design a machine that would get twice the work out of the same motion.