Pegler Yorkshire is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of advanced integrated plumbing and heating products. The company was established in the 1890s and its dedication to quality, engineering innovation and customer service continues today as the organisation tackles the challenges of energy and water conservation in its advanced product design and development projects. In the drive to continue to be class-leading in quality, durability and customer satisfaction, the New Product Development department sought to leverage their expertise in the subjective assessment of the optimal tactile characteristics of their Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) products. TRVs mount onto central heating radiators to control room temperature and turning the TRVs by hand either increases or decreases the temperature setting. The integral thermostatic component regulates the flow of hot water through the radiator to maintain the desired ambient temperature. An objective methodology to repeatably measure the torque to turn characteristics of the rotational control was required.
Mecmesin supplied a Vortex-i computer-controlled torque test system and a selection of fixtures and accessories to grip a range of different valve geometries. A representative benchmark test rotates the TRV from the minimum temperature setting to maximum temperature and returns to minimum again. The graphical results clearly show the changing torque level for this full-range angular cycle test, which can be correlated to the engineer’s knowledge of preferred ergonomic characteristics and feel. EmperorTM software enables the curves for alternative samples to be overlaid for comparison; this analysis providing valuable feedback for iterative design and manufacturing optimisation. The comprehensive programming capability also allows NPD to write custom test programs configured to their specific requirements—to incorporate unique experience into each product. The ability to change loadcells also provides the flexibility to maintain the proven accuracy of the results for future designs with necessarily different torque values.
System
- Vortex-i PC-controlled torque test system with Emperor (Torque) software
- 6 N.m Intelligent Torque Cell (ITC)
- Upper and lower fixing plates each with 4 pegs
- Large saddle plate, 10 Nm capacity
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