CUSTOM SEAL TESTING AND VERIFICATION
Stein assures the superior functionality of all our products before releasing them to the customer. So accurate and comprehensive is Stein’s Dynamic Test Lab that many outside firms contract Stein Seal Industrial to perform their product testing for them.
DYNAMIC TESTING
Our engineers can develop and conduct testing on seals or other components to any specifications and parameters supplied by the customer or end user. Stein’s investment in facilities and personnel allows us to improve seal performance and develop new sealing technologies. A significant portion of our research, development and testing is focused on evaluating new materials, geometries and hardware in pursuit of the optimum sealing system.
In addition to standard static testing that is most common in the seal industry, Stein Seal Industrial also employs dynamic testing. Dynamic testing allows us to recreate the pressures, fluids and temperatures to which the seals will be exposed during regular operation. Stein’s dynamic test rigs can recreate upset conditions, such as loss of gas supply, temperature swings, and over-/under-pressure conditions. Stein dynamic testing offers true proof-of-concept for new seal designs or materials while delivering peace of mind for repaired seals.
Run-to-failure analysis, optimal life expectancy and material wear testing are also part of our testing protocols.
STEIN TEST LAB
In our test lab are over 25 dynamic test rigs, including two custom inter-shaft rigs. Designed to Stein’s high standards, these can be reconfigured quickly for multiple programs to provide fast, concurrent and cost-efficient testing for our customers. This lets Stein engineers simulate any operating parameters and accurately predict the performance of any mechanical seal under the most extreme conditions it can be expected to face.
The rig has fully automatic data collection and control via National Instruments hardware and software and can run a fully automated test cycle 24/7. The control computer allows the operator to monitor the seal and rig performance in real-time with control limits for critical parameters.
INTER-SHAFT RIG FEATURES
Our custom inter-shaft rigs feature two independently controlled spindles that allow testing of inter-shaft seals, such as piston rings.
- Rotation: 30,000 rpm on the high-speed spindle, 18,000 rpm on the low-speed spindle, counter-rotating or co-rotating
- Seal Air: 150 psi, 850°F, 120 SCFM
- Runner/Seal Oil
- 100 psi, 250°F, 5 GPM
- Dynamic temperature monitoring of outer shaft via infra-red pyrometers.
GENERAL TEST CAPABILITIES
- Seal Diameters: up to 60 cm (24 inches)
- Shaft Speeds: up to 70,000 rpm
- Oil Pressures: up to 30,000 KPa (4,000 psi)
- Gas Pressures: up to 20,000 KPa (3,000 psi)
- Temperatures: up to 815° C (1,500°F)
Stein has the ability to add active and passive instrument sensors to seal and industrial hardware components.
Typical instrumentation includes temperature and vibration sensors. The data is collected using custom LabView software. This data, coupled with Stein’s proprietary ANSYS Finite Element Analysis software models, provides exceptional data on operation and performance.
