FES, Inc. Testing
Services
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mechanical systems (such as hydraulic and lubrication types) can be expected
to achieve high reliability and longevity without first having contamination
control. This means, to achieve the designated service life for all
components in the system, the concentration level of a given contaminant
must not exceed the established contaminant tolerance level of the system
components. Hence, it is critical to know the component contaminant
sensitivity in sizing components for the system. The staff at FES-BarDyne
recognizes the necessity of evaluating component contaminant sensitivity for
practical applications and have developed a comprehensive spectrum of
procedures to serve this particular need. These procedures have been used by
numerous companies and government organizations. Over decades, thousands of
contaminant sensitivity tests have been carried out by the staff of
FES-BarDyne.
For more
information, please see our white pages
Hydraulic Component Contaminant
Sensitivity Testing at FES-BarDyne (pdf format). This document presents the
technical background of the contaminant sensitivity theory (also called the
Omega Rating Theory) and its associated test procedures carried out at
FES-BarDyne.
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FES, Inc.
has a broad array of qualified testing equipment which is used to evaluate
filters and filter media. Multipass or single pass test stands cover flow
rates from one gallon per minute to over 80 gallons per minute. In-line or
off-line assessment practices are available. Tests are routinely conducted
on flat sheet medium, spin-on filters, filter elements, last chance filters,
etc. FES-BarDyne is capable of evaluating particle separation, water separation, and
air separation characteristics. Specialty filter tests with extreme steady
state and dynamic pressure, flow and/or temperature are easily conducted
with our versatile facility.
 
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Pumps and motors are extremely
important components in fluid systems. The laboratory, which specializes in
pump, motor, and transmission assessment, has a 250 horsepower, variable speed
drive as a basic power supply. Instrumentation is available to accurately
measure all of the critical parameters associated with these components.
Performance evaluation, contaminant sensitivity assessment, endurance testing,
and reliability appraisal area all conducted in our laboratory. Fluid
conditioning equipment is capable of handling up to 75 gallons per minute.
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The valve testing facility at
FES-BarDyne
consists of seven separate stands capable of conducting evaluations in both
clean and contaminated environments. Over 200 horsepower with variable volume
and pressures in excess of 5000 psi are available in this laboratory. There are
three test stands designed to appraise servo valves while two other stands have
been qualified for contaminant sensitivity evaluation of all types of valves.
One test stand is dedicated to corrosive liquid such as brake fluids and is used
to assess brake valves. Finally, one stand permits high flow rates and high
pressure to evaluate large valves.
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FES-BarDyne is
capable of performing cylinder and seal tests in both clean and carefully
controlled contaminant environments. Two types of cylinder fixtures are
available. The conventional in-line fixture can be employed. In addition, a
rocking beam type fixture as shown here can be used. With this fixture, the side
loading is produced by the torque at the pins more nearly representing the
actual application. Ingression tests can be conducted using the actual cylinder,
or a more effective evaluation is accomplished using the seal ingression
facility as shown here.
 
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Hose that is
used in fluid systems must not only survive repeated pressure cycling but must
also endure flex cycles. FES-BarDyne has the facility which was developed to verify SAE
J1405 entitled “Flex-Impulse Test Procedure for Hydraulic Hose Assemblies.”
This facility is capable of performing standard impulse testing as well as the
flex-impulse test. The hose and conduit laboratory at FES-BarDyne is also capable of
performing other standard assessment such as proof test, burst test, cold bend,
etc.
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The ability of a liquid to efficiently
transmit power while providing lubrication and reducing wear is critical in
fluid systems. The development of the gamma wear testing concept by the staff of
FES-BarDyne has become an important step in the advancement of this technology.
The FES-BarDyne tribology laboratory utilizes the gamma system along with the Falex and Timkin
wear testers to evaluate the antiwear and lubrication properties of system
fluids.
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FES-BarDyne is
capable of performing various pneumatic testing for components and systems,
including in house testing and on-site testing. Within FES-BarDyne, a test apparatus
following the ISO standard 6358 has been constructed as shown here.
This test
apparatus is used for determining the Cv flow-rate characteristic of
a pneumatic component through the utilization of computer monitoring. Depending
on each individual component, various calculations will be performed to provide
a full test report regarding the pressure vs. flow characteristic curve for the
component. In addition, pneumatic systems can be setup and tested, such as the
one shown here for testing an air spring system.
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In addition
to standard testing, FES-BarDyne can conduct many of the more specialized evaluations
requiring extreme pressures, temperature, and/or load. In this regard, we have a
large inventory of components which are utilized to fabricate unique testing
environments. Fluid temperatures in excess of 400°F have been utilized.
Pressures over 8000 psi are possible in some testing environments. Fuels and
aggressive fluids are used in many testing activities. FES-BarDyne recognizes all of the
extreme conditions necessary for practical testing and will setup a system to
meet our customer’s requirements. Special test conditions could include
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Fluid properties assessment is an
important part of our laboratory effort. Most of the fluid properties assessment
work is carried out in our clean room environment. Critical fluid parameters
which are routinely reported by FES-BarDyne are as follows:
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Kinematic Viscosity
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Dynamic Viscosity
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Surface Tension
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Moisture Content
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Wear Debris
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All fluid
parameter assessment equipment including automatic particle counters can be
interfaced with microcomputers for overall analysis activities.
The clean
room area contains essentially all the facilities needed to
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Perform particle size analysis
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Evaluate particle morphology
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Achieve particle classification
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Produce ultra-clean fluid
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Manufacture calibration fluid
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Produce super-clean sample containers
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Conduct gravimetric analysis
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Perform optical analysis
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To assure the
accuracy of our test results, calibration is critical. Super clean sample
containers are a mainstay for contamination analysis. Calibration fluid is
prepared based on 5 milligrams per liter of full distribution AC Fine Test Dust.
Various test dusts are fabricated to simulate special contamination
environments.
The
calibration of gages and transducers is an ongoing necessity. Calibration is
conducted in our instrument calibration laboratory or by original instrument
provider.
Many test
set-ups require special fixture. Our machine shop fulfills much of this need.
Fixtures and prototypes, which cannot be handled in our facilities, are farmed
out to local machine shops.
 
A vast array
of individual components is available to satisfy almost any special test system
requirement. Pumps, valves, filters, cylinders are all available for new test
set-ups. In addition, we have test stands that can be modified to meet your
needs.
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