Hose Test Rigs for the Motorsport Industry

100% Achilles audit _Rotec Hydraulics Ltd

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd designed, built and commissioned two identical hose test rigs for a UK manufacturer who supplies world-leading racing teams with fluid transfer assemblies, hose and fittings.

UKCA/CE certificated and labelled, the test rigs are designed to provide regular and rigorous testing for a variety of flexible hose assemblies. The rigs were based on an existing design, but updated and improved due to the obsolescence of some of the components.

Measuring over 3 metres in length, the main capabilities of the test rigs include:

  • Testing hoses up to four hoses at a time
  • Testing hoses up to 250bar pressure using water as the medium.
  • An air supply is used to control the hydraulic (water) valves and is used to pressurize the water using a 60:1 air/water intensifier.
  • A low-pressure pump provides a means of flushing and pre-filling the hoses under test.
  • Clean, filtered and dried compressed air supply of guaranteed continuous pressure of 6 bar minimum.
  • Power supply of 240VAC 1 PH 50Hz 16A maximum for UK use.
  • Nominal test sequence, based on existing rigs, (i.e., prefill/flush, test, vent, purge).
100% Achilles audit _Rotec Hydraulics Ltd
100% Achilles audit _Rotec Hydraulics Ltd

Each rig consists of a grade 316 stainless-steel upper half, and a powder coated steel lower half and electrical enclosure.

The lower half consists of the water reservoir, an air tank, an intensifier, a low-pressure pump, pneumatically operated hydraulic valves and a pneumatic control system. All the valves, which water flow through, high-pressure pipework & reservoir are made of grade 316 stainless steel to prevent corrosion. There are two lockable hinged doors on the front and three lockable panels on the rear to allow access for maintenance as well as internal led strip lights for enhanced lighting.

Inside the upper enclosure are eight ½” BSP ports (four either end) to which up to four hose assemblies can be installed for testing at up to 250 bar pressure. Bi-fold doors with transparent windows are fitted to enable access to the hoses, the doors are fitted with interlocks to ensure they cannot be opened whilst the hoses are under test. Internal led strip lights are built into the top of the enclosure to provide enhanced lighting. There is also a water filling point and drain which connect to a reservoir in the lower half of the rig.

Attached to the right-hand side of the rig is the Rotec designed lockable electrical enclosure which houses the customers electrical components. On the front face of the enclosure are controls for adjusting the test pressure, starting/stopping the testing cycle as well as an information screen displaying the results of the testing.

2 manually operated panel mountable air regulators were incorporated into the design. One is set and locked at 4.2bar inside the lower area (i.e., beyond the reach of the operator), the other panel mounted in the user control panel. This second unit is fed from the outlet of the former, ensuring the user cannot inadvertently set the test pressure to rise above the setting of the former and thus inadvertently (or intentionally) over-pressurise the system.

Rotec’s customer said:

“I am very pleased with the finished machine. As I expected, everything has been finished to a high standard.”

If you are interested in a similar project or any hydraulic power systems, do not hesitate to contact the team today on 01823 348900 or email sales@rotec.net.

Minimising Downtime: Manufacturing Press Tube Replacement

Rotec’s technical team researched and implemented an innovative method to complete replacement tube pipework whilst keeping downtime to a minimum at a large car manufacturing plant in Gloucestershire.

Following damage occurrence on one of their press lines, the world-leading manufacturer required replacement Ø75×12.5 carbon steel tubes.

Traditionally, engineers would be required to remove the damaged tube in order to gather accurate measurements before being able to provide and fit replacements. The removal and installation processes would require manufacturer to shut down the machine during these times.

Downtime for a large manufacturer in the automotive industry can have huge implications operationally and financially. Always keeping the customer at the forefront of projects, Rotec’s technical team suggested using a 3D laser scanner to measure the pipework, in order to minimise downtime.

The 3D laser scanner not only meant that the machine no longer had to be turned off, but the measurements collected were incredibly accurate and minimised the influence of human error. Furthermore, the time required for Rotec engineers to be onsite removing pipes and then measuring them would be dramatically reduced – saving the customer costs due to reduced labour costs.

Once measured accurately, the design for new tubes created using CAD design software in-house at Rotec. In total, the measuring and design process was complete within 2 days.

Continuing Rotec’s commitment to utilising technologies, the tube ends were formed using the Parker HPF system, which eliminates the need for welding of the tube. Bespoke flanges were also machined to suit the formed profile of the Ø75mm tube and accommodate the bolt pattern of the existing connections. 

For more information visit www.rotec.net.

Stroud Engineers Deliver Major Refurbishment Projects at BMW

Rotec engineers carried out a major refurbishment of the Feed Line and Press at a BMW plant in Gloucestershire.

Over 160 hydraulic hoses on the Feed Line, and 66 hoses on the Major Press were removed and new hoses made and fitted.

This was a challenging job due to the complexity of the machinery and included hoses on the Feed Line HPU (hydraulic power unit), Press and Overload/Protection/Lubrication HPUs. Feed Line Pneumatic cylinders, valves and tubings were also supplied and fitted, in addtion to a total of 48 existing hydraulic cylinders on the Feed Line removed and new cylinders fitted.

Further work taken on the Feed Line, Press and Overload/Protection/Lubrication HPUs included:

  • Draining of the working fluid and cleaning of the reservoir.
  • Replacement of pressure and return hydraulic filters, pressure and return.
  • Replacement of pressure and return hydraulic filters, pressure and return.
  • Resealing of duplex filter block.
  • Removal of existing and refitting of new motor pump sets.
  • Thorough cleaning and inspection.
  • Removal of existing and refitting of new air blast coolers.

All refurbishment works were carried out on time, in budget and to the client’s expectations and standards.