Pump and valve innovator finds a test rig technology that is robust and easy to use

To analyse the long-term performance and reliability of hard working valves and pumps, serial innovators Manchester-based Bifold Group has adopted radio frequency-based torque transducers from Sensor Technology Ltd for two of its specialist test rigs. By using the power of computer-aided design many of the group's products are built to custom designs, yet they are created to very short lead times thanks to the performance of internet communications. To sustain this standard, sample components and products are thoroughly tested so that their reliability and capabilities are never in doubt. Bifold is as innovative in developing its test regimes as it is in advancing its product technologies and business systems. So, when it needed to assess the results of wear on its long-life valves, it designed a special test rig. Engineer Andrew Laverick recollects: "We wanted to measure the power required to operate the valve to see how it changed over time and with long-term use. It was clear that the best way to do this was to measure the torque input over an extended period. We were open to any design concept for the test rig, but soon found ourselves gravitating towards a TorqSense solution because the Sensor Technology engineers were so helpful and really knowledgeable about test rigs." Sensor Technology's Mark Ingham explains: "All you have to do is set up a TorqSense transducer in the test rig and fire it up. The SAW frequencies reflected back are distorted in proportion to the twist in the test piece, which in turn is proportional to the level of torque. We have some clever electronics to analyse the returning wave and feed out torque values to a computer screen. TorqSense has been used on many test rigs over the years, and I was delighted to hear the Bifold engineers say how easy it is to use and how robust the software is."