Integrated production tests on solenoid actuators

Three Zwick actuators were integrated into a Teamtechnik standard process module to perform the 100% production testing of the force-stroke characteristics of cartridge valve solenoids for Hilite

The German company Teamtechnik, is an expanding and internationally successful production-technology company, and have been developing innovative solutions.

More than 350 highly qualified employees implement turn-key assembly and test-technology systems for their customers who benefit from a single source in development, design and construction, and customer care.

Hydraulik Ring, a company of the Hilite Group, and leading manufacturer of mechatronic components for the automotive industry, recently ordered a modular assembly line for cartridge valves from teamtechnik.

During the assembly and commissioning phase of the production line a new requirement emerged; the assembly and testing of a solenoid actuator on the same production line.

The modular concept of the teamtechnik assembly line enabled the additional test processes to be easily integrated.

Their first choice for the End of Line Solenoid Testing was the Zwick electromechanical (EM) actuator system combined with testControl and testXpert solenoid testing software.

Three Zwick actuators were integrated into a teamtechnik standard process module to perform the production integrated 100% Test of the Force-Stroke Characteristics of the solenoids.

Important issues in the project were operational availability, short cycle times, the mechanical long term stability and measurement capability in the automatic mode.

The special challenge was the 24 hour operation time, and comprehensive endurance tests proved the required stability and suitability of the complete Zwick Solenoid Testing System.

Zwick was chosen as the supplier because most leading manufacturers of solenoid actuators are already equipped with Zwick solenoid testers, and they have more than ten years of experience in testing such products.

The integration of the three electromechanical actuators into the production line was easy and required no special programming.

The test sequences, evaluation of the solenoid characteristics, and the interfaces are standard testXpert solutions and met all the requirements of the end user.

The modularity and the flexibility of testXpert allows rapid changes of test parameters and as a result R+D testing technology was successfully transferred directly into the production system.

The Teamtechnik Head of Testing Systems, Ralph Heckmann added "Zwick solenoid testers are approved and installed in the laboratories of all our solenoid producing customers and so we also wanted to choose the best.

High precision testing equipment transferred from R+D into the production in combination with top level assembling technology ensures process reliability and highest possible quality of the end product".

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