Disposable probe samples oil quality
A
Minnesota Rubber and Plastics product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jul 10, 2002
To answer a customer's need for regular analysis of engine and transmission oil, Minnesota Rubber/QMR Plastics developed a novel disposable three-piece tubular sample probe.
Maintaining the quality of engine and transmission oil in tractors, trucks and similar heavy-duty equipment is extremely important.
If lubricant quality degrades too far, engine failure can result.
But changing these lubricants prematurely is expensive.
With several gallons required for an engine or transmission, an economical approach to extract and analyse lubricant for viscosity and contaminants was needed.
Periodic lubricant testing is also required to maintain warrantees on equipment that can receive very hard use and then sit idle for long periods.
As a contract manufacturer for assemblies, Minnesota Rubber/QMR Plastics developed for their customer a disposable three-piece tubular sample probe assembly that matches up with an existing rubber septum placed on each vehicle to help perform this inspection.
The tubular sample probe consists of a 12in-long, clear PVC plastic tube, a 1.5in-long flow-through stainless steel needle, and a plastic part to join the two.
The device helps make the job neat, fast and easy.
The plastic component has a specially designed flange, facilitating insertion of the needle tip in the septum to the correct depth.
The flexible, clear tube shows lubrication flow thru the device.
For the application, the tubular sample probe is both chemical and heat resistant.
Individually packaged for easy one-time use, each tubular sample probe is bubble seal packaged for clean storage until needed.
Using automated manufacturing and assembly equipment, Minnesota Rubber/QMR Plastics produces these complete tubular sample probe assemblies at the rate of 500 per hour.
"Key to the success of this design is the overall package", reports Ted Ahrenholtz, Minnesota Rubber/QMR Plastics technical sales support manager.
"The metal needle in the simple plastic part with the clear PVC tube delivers everything our customer wanted at an attractive price.
The assembly is easy to handle in a tight engine compartment.
Our design improved on an earlier version which had a one piece plastic needle and body and an over-molded black plastic tube.
It just didn't have the qualities required to do the job".
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact Minnesota Rubber and Plastics
Related Stories
- Arnitel TPC enables compact brake tubes
- Laser Lines marks code on tiny area of oil seal
- Mac3 uses RTP fire-proof materials in float switch
- Electric shaker removes scrap from stamping press
- Combined starter-alternator reduces petrol use
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
