Maintaining quality and standards of hydraulic hose

Hydraulic systems & components

Third Quarter 2005 Hydraulic systems & components

The maintenance of hydraulic hose standards and product quality is the reason Genflex Hydraulics of Johannesburg has invested over R1/4 million in a test and measurement laboratory at its premises so as to test hose prior to manufacture and delivery to the client.

Genflex, a leading supplier of hydraulic hose to the mining industry in particular, imports hose from overseas, and although this imported hose comes complete with certificates of standard compliance, safety factors, pressure test readings, Genflex believes it is its responsibility to ensure that the imported hose obtains and maintains the same quality and standards recognition that the branded international competitors supply. The testing facility has three phases of test and measurement that Genflex subjects its imported hose to on a random basis:

The abrasive testing machine seeks to monitor the number of abrasive cycles hydraulic hose can be subjected to before the outer cover starts to wear, so far the hose has performed at a better average than some of its major competitors.

The Pressure Test machine can pressure-test hose of all sizes including extra large and long hoses. The machine made to Genflex specifications can accommodate and test over 200 metres of pipe in 10 minutes. A single one-metre pipe can be analysed in less than 2 minutes. The hose is tested to well above its normal required pressure for the work environment, for example a length of hose recommended for usage at 13 MPa has to be tested to 26 MPa. Hoses working at 40 MPa would be tested to 80 MPa.

The third and final machine utilised at Genflex is the fitting testing machine, whereby the strength, wear and tear of the fitting attached to the hydraulic hose is tested under linear pressure for damage upon hose burst and breakage. Checks are done on the strength of the nut, retainability of fitting on hose - for example, a recent fitting survived a comfortable, linear pressure of 79 MPa at which point only the hydraulic hose disintegrated. The fitting suffered no distortion or breakaway from the hose, it remained connected.

Dave Michelle of Genflex Hydraulics said: "I think it essential for the local industry to constantly ensure that their products are up to international standards. Imported branded hose comes complete with standard certificates issued from the head office of the international partner, however, unbranded imported hose can now be tested comparatively, and therefore offered to the client with confidence and satisfaction of its durability, strength and quality. Genflex has been building up the recognition of its imported unbranded product for over 11 years, and I see the investment in the testing equipment as a huge step forward for the industry, I believe we are the first local company to institute this testing and measurement system. It is our belief that we will be able to establish the recognised standard for unbranded hose in the same way that the current international, and more costly suppliers have been able to do from afar."

For more information contact Dave Michelle, Genflex Hydraulics, +27 (0) 11 900 3235, [email protected]

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Maintaining quality and standards of hydraulic hose

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