Composite moulding is a go-to manufacturing process for industries needing strong, lightweight materials. But when it comes to quality control, even tiny issues—like air leaks during the curing process—can compromise the final product. And this can have drastic effects, from lost revenue to damaged products going out to customers.
This is where you need to be precise in your measurement, ensuring you detect any leakages in your final product before it goes out to customers.
Composite moulding relies on a vacuum process to remove air pockets and ensure an even resin distribution. Leaks in the vacuum bag or the mould can introduce air, leading to weak spots, delamination, or incomplete curing.
The challenge? These leaks are often extremely small and will not be visible to naked eye, and sometimes even too small to detect through traditional methods. This is especially prevalent in noisy industrial environments where background noise would hinder the already lower chance of spotting the leaks.
So, what are the current traditional methods of leak detection in composite moulding ?
Many methods for leak detection in composite moulding , like soapy water tests, smoke tracers, or pressure drop measurements, have been around for years. But each comes with drawbacks:
- Soapy water is messy and time-consuming, requiring manual application and visual confirmation.
- Smoke tracers can miss small leaks and aren’t ideal for busy or sensitive environments.
- Pressure drop testing only tells you a leak exists, not where it is, turning it into a guessing game.
This is where the next generation of leakage detection comes in, welcome the CRY-8124 acoustic imager.
What is the CRY8124?
The CRY8124 is an acoustic camera, that means that it uses data measured from noise to create a heatmap overlay on top of a live video of the noise source. This is presented on a tablet screen which is portable and lightweight.
This means that unlike traditional leak detection methods, it can accurately and reliably identify leaks without need for physical contact with the mould.
Why is the CRY8124 a Game-Changer?
Here’s how the CRY8124 outperforms traditional leak detection in composite moulding:
- Non-Invasive and Fast: The CRY8124 detects leaks in real-time without the need for contact with the mould, meaning you can quickly detect a leak without needing to set up a test and clean up afterwards.
- Highly Accurate: With its 200 microphones and industry-leading HyperVision algorithm, the camera identifies the exact location of even the smallest leaks.
- Handles Noisy Environments: While other methods struggle with background noise, the CRY8124 filters out interference, ensuring nothing is missed.
- Covers More Area: Its wide detection range and fast processing improve inspection efficiency by up to four times, saving you valuable time.
- Thermal Imaging Integration: Unlike other methods, the CRY8124 combines thermal and acoustic imaging, letting you spot leaks and monitor curing temperatures simultaneously.
Automatically Generated Reports
The CRY8124 won’t just show you the leaks, it will generate extremely detailed reports on any detection, this allows you to analyse, document and share inspection results effortlessly. The in-built WIFI / 5G capabilities mean that you can wirelessly export your data and reports with ease.
These reports show off a host of useful data, such as air flow, pressure, loudness, frequency as well as more advanced analysis.
