Lower Helium Background, Faster Measurement Results<\/strong> ZELTWANGER\u2019s new valve technology addresses this very issue. It combines a compact valve mechanism with specifically tailored materials and seal geometries. In the measurement-relevant area, helium-absorbing sealing materials are avoided. This largely prevents the delayed release of helium. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio and makes it possible to detect leak signals more quickly and clearly.<\/p>\n The special valve mechanism also compensates for operational changes to the sealing surfaces, thereby helping maintain consistent sealing performance even with frequent switching. This is an important requirement for use in automated production testing.<\/p>\n Direct Integration into the Test Fixture<\/strong> When testing bipolar plates for fuel cell stacks, valves and sensors can be positioned in a stationary arrangement in the upper test fixture. This largely eliminates the need for moving lines and additional interfaces. This simplifies the design, reduces mechanical stress as well as potential points of failure and leakage, and facilitates maintenance.<\/p>\n Higher Throughput with Lower Operating Costs<\/strong> \u201cOur goal is to make leak testing faster and more cost-effective for our customers without compromising measurement quality. With this new valve technology, we are demonstrating the potential for further development of the testing process. At the same time, we are reducing the consumption of helium, a valuable and limited resource. In this way, we aim to further advance high-volume industrial leak testing in terms of both technology and cost efficiency,<\/em>\u201d<\/em> explains Jochen Kober, Head of Research and Development at ZELTWANGER Leaktesting & Automation GmbH.<\/p>\n Jochen Kober with a bipolar plate in front of a leak test bench.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ZELTWANGER Leaktesting & Automation GmbH has developed a valve technology for leak testing bipolar plates. It shortens the measurement time, improves the measurement signal, and reduces helium consumption.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":32962,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,92],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en","category-press-releases"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nDuring helium leak testing, certain sealing materials can absorb the gas and release it again after a delay. This creates what is known as helium background, which masks the actual leak signal and delays the measurement.<\/p>\n
\nAnother advantage is the compact design. It allows the valve technology to be integrated directly into the test fixture at the test part. This shortens the gas paths and reduces the volume of gas remaining in lines and connections\u2014the so-called dead volume. The measurement signal builds up faster, reproducibility improves, and the required stabilization and measurement times are reduced.<\/p>\n
\nThe new technology improves not only valve performance but also the entire testing process. Measurement times that are up to 75% shorter create the conditions for higher throughput with the same system capacity. At the same time, lower helium consumption reduces ongoing operating costs. Fewer lines, connections, and moving parts also simplify maintenance, reduce potential sources of error, and support high system availability. This results in economic advantages, particularly for large production volumes.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.zeltwanger.de\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/BPP_Totale-246x300.png\")
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