March 2005Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Quality Festo products are exposed to agonising scrutiny: They are subjected to long-term cycle tests in order to determine just how reliable they are. Products are run through a series of tests, which substantiates long service life, even under severe stressing. Long-term cycle tests are conducted using various combinations of pressure, temperature, frequency and operating speed. These tests result in statistically reliable, characteristic service life projections. Vibration and shock tests are also performed, as well as testing under the influence of aggressive media. Electromagnetic immunity and emission are examined too. All in all, products are subjected to a comprehensive test program.
Customer-specific manufacturing at Festo’s plant for valves and valve terminals in Esslingen: 60% of all valve terminal orders are individualised to such an extent that identical configurations occur only twice a year
On average, 1500 test objects are under examination at any given time, and test technicians evaluate roughly 7000 measured values each month. Valves that have withstood 900 million switching cycles, amounting to a service life of 30 years with single-shift operation, may well be a new record breaker, and cylinders that have run the equivalent of 82 000 km - almost twice around the globe - could compete for this title as well.
Supplying top quality products with a long service life fulfils only one of the prerequisites for success in the market. Efficient, customer-specific manufacturing is decisive as well, because 60% of all valve terminals are individualised to such an extent that identical configurations do not occur more than twice a year. Flexible, work-order oriented production is thus absolutely essential.
This objective has been implemented at Festo's manufacturing facility for valves and valve terminals in Esslingen by means of a 'pull' principle, which means that the only items being produced are items for which an order exists. This results in rationalised, short-term manufacturing with a modular, flexible production sequence. CPV valve-terminals for which actual orders have been received are produced and assembled in accordance with this principle.
A fully automated modular assembly line produces 20 valve variants for CPV valve slices for a total of more than 1 million units per year. After completion of various sub-processes and assembly, the valves are subjected to 100% pneumatic and electrical testing.
The plant in Esslingen-Berkheim produces standard valves and type ISO-C maxi valves. These include roughly 650 variants of solenoid valves, pneumatic valves, application-specific valves and special valves for customers from the automotive industry, which are produced by means of three manufacturing steps including housing production, basic valve assembly and final valve assembly with 100% final inspection. Midi-B valves are produced in roughly 200 variants including various solenoid valves, pneumatic valves and application-optimised valves.
Oils don’t die, they degrade Wearcheck
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
WearCheck explores the main ways lubricants degrade in service and how these degradation modes affect oil performance and machine reliability.
Read more...Real-time spectrum analyser Vepac Electronics
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
The PXE series real-time spectrum analyser covers frequencies up to 20 GHz with a 100 MHz analytical bandwidth and ultra-fast sweep speed, supporting spectrum monitoring, interference finding and RF test and measurement functions.
Read more...Preserving a French heritage landmark Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Omniflex supplied a remotely monitored impressed current cathodic protection system for the Perret Tower in Grenoble, a protected French heritage site, combining 24/7 corrosion protection with integrated surge protection against lightning strikes.
Read more...Operational efficiencies and safety compliance with preventive maintenance programmes
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Konecranes explains how its Lifecycle Care Preventive Maintenance programme reduces unexpected downtime, improves safety compliance and delivers measurable financial benefits for operators of cranes and lifting equipment across any make or sector.
Read more...Portable appliance tester Vepac Electronics
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Vepac Electronics’ new portable appliance tester enables precise safety testing of electrical appliances in accordance with DGUV regulation 3 and BetrSichV, with simple three-button operation and battery-powered mobility.
Read more...Why lubrication fails in mining and what to do about it
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Lubrication Engineers explains the recurring failure points behind mining lubrication problems and how the right product, storage and application practices can improve equipment reliability.
Read more...When digital twins move from concept to critical tool
IT in Manufacturing System Integration & Control Systems Design Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Digital twins are moving out of the lab and onto the mine, the factory floor and the transport network where they predict failures before they happen. Amritesh Anand looks at where they earn their keep, the data and integration work behind them, and the security questions every organisation should ask before switching one on.
Read more...Why asset level intelligence is now essential for resilient wastewater plants Schneider Electric South Africa
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Sub-Saharan Africa’s wastewater operators face mounting pressure to keep ageing plants running smoothly and meet tougher environmental standards, all while lacking visibility into the health of their medium-voltage (MV) drives and other critical rotating assets. Adding predictive analytics, digital twins and enterprise dashboards enables optimisation across multiple sites, ensuring every drop moves safely and efficiently through the water cycle.
Read more...How multiple boilers can minimise costly downtime
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Associated Energy Services explains how multi-boiler systems reduce downtime risk for South African manufacturers, covering redundancy planning, fuel source diversification and the strategic management of backup boiler capacity.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version