Do you have a new or an already running manufacturing facility? One of the essential aspects is instrumentation because it makes it possible to run real-time measurements and control variables, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and pH. During equipment installation, repairs, and maintenance testing plays a crucial role in diagnosing and rectifying issues. This is why you need to have the right testing equipment.  In this post, we will tell you the main testing equipment that you require for your facility.

Why You Need to Use Test Equipment in Manufacturing

Through product testing, manufacturers can set technical standards for their products and leverage their brands on the market. Here are other reasons why you need to have and use the best test equipment in your facility: 

• Provides insights into your devices’ function. 
• Helps you to determine what your product can endure. 
• Detecting defects in machinery and products. 
• Quality assurance. 
• Compliance. 
• It is part of ensuring your staff works in a safe and healthy environment. 

These are only a few of the long list of reasons why you should use testing equipment to ensure your manufacturing devices, from electrical devices to motors, are working as expected. Next, we will list the main testing instruments that every manufacturer should have.

Insulation Resistance Testers

This is one of the common electrical testing instruments that you should have in your manufacturing facility. The tool uses low current DC charge and high voltage to determine resistance in motor windings and wires.  The testers are designed to note problems such as damaged insulation and current leakage that can result in blown circuits, arc faults, and danger of shock. It also comes in handy to help prevent the risk of fire in your facility.

Weighing Scales

Perhaps these are the most common types of test equipment because of their wide applications. When raw materials are delivered, you need to confirm they have the correct weight. The products that will finally be released into the market might also be required to have specific weights. For example, a food processor might need to package products in containers of 260 grams, 500 grams, and 1kg. The only way to achieve this is by having appropriate weighing scales. 

Some of the common types of scales you will get today are the analytical balances. These scales are designed with a force restoration system that can help detect even the smallest change in weight. Analytical balances are the most preferred scales when dealing with small samples, such as medical pills and reaction chemicals. Other common types of scales include: 

• Compact bench scales: Recommended for weighing items in the food processing industry and other facilities that deal with small items, such as jewelry, parcels, and coins. 
• Industrial scales: As the name suggests, these scales are tough and can handle challenging loads. The scales are mostly suited for loading docks and packaging warehouses. The modern types come with inbuilt printers for creating labels. 
• Platform scales: Like industrial scales, the platform scales focus more on capacity over precision, making them a perfect pick for heavy-duty weighing. They are recommended for weighing bulky items, such as shipping crates and pallets.

Pressure and Vacuum Gauges 

Pressure testing is done after installing industrial pipelines to ensure they are operating at the expected limits. Once installed, pressure and vacuum testing instruments help to check reliability, leaks, and pressure. Information gathered using pressure testing instruments is important in maintaining safety standards in an industry and the quality of products. Common pressure and vacuum gauges that you might want to consider include: 

• Analog pressure gauges: These test devices use mechanical pressure to highlight the measurement by a needle-type of movement on a dial. Good examples include the Bourdon Tube and Bellows. 
• Digital Pressure Gauges: These test equipment help to check the pressure and display it digitally on a screen. They mainly use strain gauge sensors, or piezoelectric sensors that help to convert the pressure into digital output. Digital pressure gauges have become very common because they are easy to use when checking pressure.

Conclusion 

If you want to be successful in manufacturing, legally compliant, and make your facility safe, it is important to ensure that all the tests are done correctly and with the right devices. The testing devices we have listed above only captured a few items. Others that you might want to check include instruments for testing length, vibrations, and temperatures 

NOTE: When working with instruments, whether for weighing products or checking electrical issues during maintenance, it is important to ensure they meet both local and international standards, such as NFPA 70. This is why you should only buy from trusted brands. Furthermore, the instruments might require regular calibration to ensure they work properly.