A seal you can depend on: Reliable seal inspections during manufacture
Checking and measuring seals is one of the most critical aspects of manufacturing for high-stakes industries like aerospace. Seals are found in several critical applications on aircrafts including in the engines, hydraulic systems, doors, air pressure systems and more. A seal failure in one of these areas could have catastrophic consequences. The process of inspecting seals is multi-faceted and includes material science, dimensional metrology, functional testing and force testing.
Seals are available in many types from a simple O-ring to pneumatic seals or face seals and all of them can be safety critical. during seal inspection, engineers prioritise key indicators of integrity and need meticulous examination both during manufacture and for signs of wear, deformation, and irregularities after use.
How to tell if a pneumatic seal or O-ring needs replacing?
Fluid leakage, distortion, and material degradation signal potential issues. By scrutinising these factors, manufacturers can ensure safety-critical components meet stringent standards, averting potential hazards in operational environments. One manufacturer of seals approached us to explore the latest in video measuring systems to support their expansion into the new markets.
A system for total stability, accuracy and compatibility during O-ring testing and seal inspections
How do you inspection seals?
For this client, the delicate nature of these seals dictated that only non-contact inspection and measurement methods can be used. They evaluated products in our range of Vision Systems and after weighing up the benefits they chose to invest in seven Starrett MVR300 systems to maximise their seal inspection capabilities. The MVR300 is a manually operated vision system that can measure an entire part up to 50x38mm or, using the stage motion, measures parts up to 305mm.
It is ideally suited for individual measurements or short runs. With its touchscreen compatibility, the measuring software is easy to use, and directional LED lighting gives a strong edge definition even on soft seal edges. Operators with metrology experience can easily use the system on the shop floor for quick and accurate quality control inspections. The client commented “…the MVR300 is now an essential piece of non-contact measurement equipment for us.”
MVR300
The product we recommend to clients who need reliability is the MVR300. It is available with dedicated 6.5:1 zoom optics or a quick-change bayonet lens mount, which accepts zoom optics or telecentric lenses for micron-level resolution and accurate field-of-view (FOV) measurements. This system operated under MetLogix™ M3 FOV software under WindowsR software. MVR hardware features include a granite base for maximum stability, precision recirculating ball linear guides for smooth, accurate stage motion, and a motorized Z-axis with variable speed control. One client said it best: “The MVR300 is a robust and reliable solution for the shop floor-based measurement of safety-critical parts.”
