Whayne Opens New Equipment Health Center
The new Equipment Health Center, previously known as the Oil Analysis Laboratory, has opened at Whayne in Louisville.
It has been designed and built for current and future technology and services. It has state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment with trained, experienced Whayne personnel. The Equipment Health Center examines machine fluids like engine oil, transmission and hydraulic fluid and other component fluids to look for contamination and material wear. Standard testing includes:
► An Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICPS) is used to test all samples for 15 wear and additive levels. This instrument detects particles up to eight microns in size. The concentration of particles are measured in parts-per-million (PPM). This test is the heart of fluid analysis.
► Viscosity test which confirms the viscosity of fluids using a viscometer. This is also a screening device. If a sample falls out of set parameters, which could indicate contamination from fuel, water or coolant, the sample undergoes additional testing.
► Infrared testing using the Fourier Transforminfrared (FT-IR). Also a screening test, looks for soot, oxidation sulfur products and nitration in the sample.
If one of the screening tests indicates a problem, additional testing is done. These tests include:
► Particle count which detects contamination and wear particles from two to 100 microns and larger. Particle count has proven to be invaluable in the Cat Contamination Control Program. It is used on all components samples except engines.
► A Setaflash or sputter test is performed if test indicate the presence of fuel or water.
► A chemical reaction test is done if coolant is suspected in the sample.
Whayne Supply has tested almost 2,500,000 fluid samples since 1982. Individual samples costs are under $11 and sample kits are available from any Whayne parts department.
The Equipment Health Center has state-of-the art diagnostic equipment for fast, accurate testing. It is in a freestanding building on the grounds of Whayne in Louisville.
All samples are tested on a viscometer. If a sample falls out of set parameters, which could indicate contamination, additional testing is done.
The heart of the testing process is the Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICPS). This computer operated, self-calibrating machine looks for 15 wear and additive elements at time.
After mixing, part of the sample is put into test tubes.
The results of the ICPS are immediately displayed on a computer screen.