Assembly and Testing Capabilities
In February 2005 Barber-Nichols, Inc. (BNI) finished construction on a new state-of-the-art assembly and testing laboratory. The assembly area is supported by its own fully functional machine shop which includes balancing equipment. High-speed rotating components weighing up to 30 kg (66 lbs) can be balanced to ISO1940 Balance Grade G 0.1 (0.1 (eω) mm/sec).
Performance Validation & Product Life Testing
Performance validation and product life tests are performed in modular test bays which contain water, high-pressure air, natural gas, 110/480 Volt power, and network data ports. The modular system allows technicians to rapidly fabricate and monitor test loops.
Performance validation tests focus on the development of head/flow curves and turbine output and efficiency data. BNI's steam boiler which is used to test turbines and turbine driven equipment can produce 3,629 kg (8,000 lbs) of saturated steam per hour. The steam leaves the boiler at 204° C (400° F) and 18 bar (250 psi).
Product life tests can either simulate real-world operating conditions or severe accelerated-life regimes. Variable test parameters may include load, temperature, speed, and start/stop cycles. Tests can be run autonomously 24 hours a day and performance is monitored via data acquisition equipment. Acceptance criteria may include, but is not limited to, bearing and motor temperature, bearing and seal wear, and lubricant deterioration. Barber-Nichols has performed product life tests that have lasted several years in duration.
Shock & Vibration Testing
Barber-Nichols tests equipment to MIL-STD-810 specifications and to customer supplied specifications. Tests for shock, operational vibration, and random vibration are conducted using National Instruments LabVIEW 8-Channel systems or Bently-Nevada DVF-3, 2-Channel vibration measurement systems.
Pneumatic & Hydrostatic Testing
Pneumatic & Hydrostatic Testing are two fundamental quality assurance tests used to confirm product integrity. Products requiring these tests are pressurized to ASME Pressure Vessel Section VIII Code. BNI has the ability to pressurize products to 345 bar (5,000 psi). Additionally, helium leak tests can be performed to detect leakage rates down to 1.0 X 10 -9 mbar-liter/second.
Additional Product Test Capabilities
- Climatics Testing
- Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) & Electromagnetic Conductive (EMC) Testing