Custom Tank Seam Welder

The traditional method for inspection of ultrasonically welded plastic valve bodies at this sub-tier vendor plant was an ergonomically unpleasant dunk tank method.

The procedure was to seal the ports in a fixture, introduce compressed air, dunk the fixture and valve body in water, and observe for bubbles. Although the operator's hands did not enter the bath, the parts were wet when extracted and significant attention was required to watch for bubbles.

MRI designed and built a tester that uses a commercially available pressure decay unit in combination with pneumatic driven fixturing to perform the test in an automated fashion.

The operator removes welded bodies from the ultrasonic welder and places them directly in the test unit. An audible and visual signal is provided for test results. Limited operator attention is required and the two-chamber test machine cycle time is within that of the ultrasonic welder making for an effect manufacturing cell with point of source quality validation.