Sensor film aids gasket production design process

A fast and accurate method for mapping interfacial pressure distribution using Sensor Products Pressurex film gives Valeo greater quality control in the design of gasket assemblies

A fast and accurate method for mapping interfacial pressure distribution gives Valeo greater quality control in the design of gasket assemblies.

Valeo, a leading supplier in automotive original equipment manufacturing and the aftermarket, initiates ongoing quality assurance efforts throughout its hundreds of plants and R and D facilities worldwide.

Avinash Verma is an Expert Process Engineer at the Valeo Greensburg, Indiana facility where his work requires him to monitor the durability and performance of rectangular gasket assemblies used in automobile radiators.

In the past, Verma employed sensors that provided inaccurate data.

Recently, Verma considered Sensor Products Pressurex as a possible tool for analyzing gasket interface pressure distribution.

"Pressurex looked like it could provide me with the data necessary to perform stress distribution analysis," Verma said.

"We cut strips to the size we needed and inserted them into the assemblies.

Within seconds, we were able to determine where there was inconsistent pressure on the gaskets." He added, "This sensor film helped us significantly improve our gasket designs." Based on this positive experience and subsequent recommendation, Pressurex is now used in various other Valeo plants during the design, development and production of their automotive parts.

Pressurex sensor film is an easy to employ NDT tool that quickly and accurately maps and measures pressure distribution and magnitude between any mating, contacting or impacting surfaces.

Able to detect pressure from 2 to 43,200 PSI or 0.14 to 3,037 kg/cm2, Pressurex is ideal for assessing surface contact inconsistencies in gaskets, clamps, bolted joints, heat sealing elements, lamination presses, nip rolls, welding heads, clutch and brake assemblies, tyre treads, connectors, heat sinks, as well as many other industrial and medical applications.

Pressurex comes in the form of a large, thin, clear Mylar sheet, physically similar in appearance to a sheet of paper.

When placed between contacting surfaces, the film instantaneously and permanently changes colour.

This colour change is directly correlated to the specific amount of pressure applied.

Precise pressure magnitude in PSI or kg/cm2 can easily be determined by comparing colour variations to a colour correlation chart, conceptually similar to interpreting Litmus paper.

Sensor Products LLC is able to customize Pressurex for any application by laser cutting the film for small or precision areas and provides encasement services allowing for use in environments where water, oil or other liquids might be present.

The company provides enhanced optical imaging services for greater detail and comparative evaluation performed with their analysis system Topaq, which is also available for lease or purchase.

For a free sample of Pressurex and complimentary Topaq analysis, contact Sensor Products.

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