The Electronic Tooling System (ETS) from FasTest Inc., Minneapolis, is an electronically activated sealing device that technicians can use for leak tests that require clean conditions and control over the seal. It lets operators “dial in” repeatable sealing forces ranging from a soft touch for delicate parts to a firm grip for workholding.
The device can monitor and change tool settings as needed. A customer-supplied serial or Ethernet interface lets technicians activate the tool from a laptop or PLC, as well as determine status and remotely monitor and control settings. A control cable (I/O cable) can be used to actuate the tools with external switches and contacts, such as a foot switch.
The internal tool seals connectors with inner diameters of 0.310 to 1.339 in. and handles test pressures from vacuum to 120 psi. The external tool accommodates connectors with outer diameters ranging from 0.030 to 0.827 in. and test pressures from vacuum to 500 psi. The sealing tools lock onto hardware, even if power is lost, increasing safety and reliability. Additional accessories include a cable to power the tools and a power cord that provides 120-Vac input to the controller.
Using a 24-Vdc drive eliminates contaminants and moisture found with compressed-air powered alternatives. ETS reduces maintenance time and costs by eliminating internal seals subject to wear and failure. ETS works with most manual, semi, and fully automated test machines.