INFICON Introduces New Cost-Efficient Leak Detection System

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Oct. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- INFICON, a leader in leak detection equipment for the automotive industry, is introducing a new detection system that uses cost-efficient forming gas in a simple atmospheric accumulation chamber to detect fluid leaks.

INFICON's LDS3000 AQ can detect leaks as reliably as a standard helium-vacuum test, but at a much lower cost. The system will go into production for use in North American during the fourth quarter.

The new device is being shown for the first time in the U.S. at Automotive Testing Expo 2017 at the Suburban Collection in Novi, Michigan (Oct. 24-26, 2017, Booth 11014) and at the Assembly Show at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois (Oct. 24-26, Booth #245).

INFICON's LDS3000 AQ bridges the gap between pressure-decay, mass flow and helium-vacuum testing. The system detects smaller leak rates, but avoids fluctuations often caused by variations in temperature and humidity, detecting leaks down to 10^-5 mbar-l/s.

The new system is ideal for testing automotive fuel lines, small heater cores and other components that now demand greater leak tightness. It also is an excellent leak-detection choice for a broad range of other non-automotive products, including room air-conditioner components, refrigeration-system parts or heating components.

In addition, the LDS3000 AQ is an ideal solution for leak-detection tasks involving warm, humid or larger parts where a pressure-decay method is ineffective. It also can be used in place of helium-vacuum leak detection systems that often are considered too costly or complex.

"Our customers have been impressed by LDS3000 AQ's performance because accumulation testing is more accurate when using forming gas and costs compared to a vacuum test are usually 50 to 75 percent less," said Thomas Parker, North American automotive market sales manager for INFICON. "In addition to providing tremendous cost savings, LDS3000 AQ is Industry 4.0 ready."

Parker added that INFICON offers a variety of modern analog and digital fieldbus interfaces that allow the LDS3000 AQ to meet a wide range of applications, including sniffer lines and RS232 / RS485 / Profibus data cables in lengths from 2 up to 10 meters. An optional touch screen also is available for ease of operation.

The low-cost accumulation method developed by INFICON uses a simple accumulation chamber that has a much lower investment and upkeep cost compared to a conventional vacuum chamber. Large, costly pumps are not required to generate vacuum. Parts to be tested are filled with tracer gas, either a forming gas or helium, and are placed in an accumulation chamber.

Tracer gas escaping from potential leaks accumulates in the chamber and is distributed evenly by fans. The leak rate is determined by the amount of tracer gas accumulated in the chamber over a given period of time. The low cost, reliable accumulation method is well suited for finding fluids leak such as oil or water leaks, even in larger components.

A video of the LDS3000 AQ is available at the following URL:  http://bit.ly/2hAiJ7X.

Note to Editors: High-res images of the LDS3000 AQ are available from AutoCom Associates.

ABOUT INFICON
INFICON is one of the world's leading developers, producers and suppliers of instruments and devices for leak detection in air conditioning, refrigeration and automotive manufacturing. The company has manufacturing facilities in Europe, China and the United States, as well as sales and service offices throughout the world.

More information about INFICON automotive technology is available online at www.inficonautomotive.com.

SOURCE INFICON

Related Links

http://www.inficonautomotive.com