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Acceptance testing from the comfort of an armchair
Local pump manufacturer KSB Pumps and Valves has launched an innovative online procedure that no longer requires customers or their engineering teams to be present when acceptance testing takes place.
The service was initially implemented to curb expenses which are usually incurred through travel and accommodation to test centres. The remote pump acceptance testing has also allowed business to continue as usual during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
According to KSB Pumps and Valves technical manager Friedrich Görgens, acceptance tests and final inspection are essential proofs of compliance when purchasing pumps and equipment to ensure the guaranteed values are met. In the past, customers always had to travel to the test facility to witness their purchased pump being tested.
Improved convenience
“Online acceptance testing is KSB’s answer to improving the ease and convenience of the procedure. They’re transmitted live via the Internet and are encrypted to be accessible only to required users. The customer sees a live camera view of the pump in the test facility, as well as the characteristic curve being generated live from readings taken and displayed during testing.
“In addition to pressure and flow data, the test software records all further performance data required for a measurement to inspection/testing standard DIN EN ISO 9906, enabling the derivation and assessment of the pump’s efficiency. Additional measurement and recording of bearing temperature and vibration are available. These are displayed live parallel to the performance and incorporated in the final test report.
“We provide the customer with organisational information, order data sheets
(Above and below): KSB Pumps and Valves recently introduced remote acceptance testing for live testing of pumps and hydraulics via the Internet.
and a precise description of the acceptance testing prior to the procedure. This includes details on the measuring instruments used, as well as the corresponding calibration certificates. After the acceptance test, KSB displays the results for comment and then e-mails the certificate to the customer within minutes,ˮ says Görgens.
Testing centres
Online acceptance testing is available at KSB Pumps and Valves SA’s test centre in Germiston, Gauteng and the facilities can accommodate pump sets with a drive rating of up to 550kW, flow rates of up to 3 000m³/h and discharge pressures up to 60 bar. String tests with the customer’s original motors, transformers and frequency inverters can also be performed. A YouTube video showing the online test in operation is available at: www.youtube. com/watch?v=2tHxYJGjT_s.
