Product category:
Materials and components
News Release from: Minnesota Rubber and Plastics | Subject: Contract manufacturing
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 10 July 2002
Disposable probe samples oil quality
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
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 11 Feb 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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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".
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