Leak Testing Complex Systems: Recommendations & Best Practices
The leak testing process is a crucial quality control method that helps manufacturers ensure that their final product will be safe and reliable for end users.
Leak testing is a quality control measure used by manufacturers to identify product inconsistencies that occur during manufacturing or assembly. A successful leak test is accomplished by sealing all leak points in the component or system being tested, such as an open port or tube, and then introducing a testing medium—typically air, helium or nitrogen. The medium is either put into or surrounding the part being tested, where a trained operator will then be able to identify a leak, either through visual observation or by monitoring pressure changes through a leak test instrument. If the product fails the leak test, it is determined that either the product or the sealing points have a defect, and the product must either be scrapped or go through a retesting process. If the product passes a leak test, it then moves onto the next stage in the manufacturing process.
The leak testing process is a crucial quality control method that helps manufacturers ensure that their final product will be safe and reliable for end users. A reliable leak test can also help manufacturers identify flaws in its manufacturing processes, and eliminate defective products from entering the field. This process, in turn, dramatically reduces warranty claims, product recalls, and the cost of quality for manufacturers.