Electrical safety and functionality testing
Elkome has supplied Kaukora with testing systems for testing Jäspi water heaters. Automatic testers ensure the electrical safety and functionality of the products as part of the production process.
Close co-operation to develop the testing process
Automated electrical safety testing makes production more efficient. Thanks to the new testers, all measurements related to product quality assurance are done in one go, which significantly saves production time. All measurements are saved in the testing database, so tests can also be analyzed afterwards.
- We have worked closely with Elkome to develop the testing process and make operations more efficient. Solutions to various challenges have been found quickly and changes to all testers have been systematically implemented, Kaukora's R&D Chief Designer Rami Heinonen praises the smooth co-operation.
Customer-specific ERP integration
With Elkome's Electrical Safety Tester, it is possible to perform not only electrical safety but also tests related to ensuring the functionality of products. As an additional feature, an ERP integration was planned for the testing system, which enables product information to be read from the ERP system and, based on this, the right product family-specific test program can be selected for the tester.
- Each product is tested differently, even though the measurements and tests are basically the same. Elkome's tester software is easy to use and connecting the product to the tester is clear even for users who are not experts in electrical engineering.
A light curtain ensures safety during testing
The testing points are placed on the production line in such a way that employees can walk in the corridors near the testers. The safety of the testing is ensured by light curtains that stop the testing if the employee crosses the safety line during the testing. To save space, the testers are placed above the production line.
- A normal mobile tester cart would have taken up unnecessary space in the corridor, so the mechanics of the tester were modified to suit our needs, continues Heinonen about the customer-specific changes made to the testers.
Finding a defective component batch during testing
A concrete example of the benefits of product testing is the discovery of a defective component batch during testing. The testing prevented devices containing defective components from being sold and installed to customers.
- In production, we manufacture various hot water heaters, almost 40,000 devices per year. Before the devices end up being installed, they can be in the wholesaler's warehouse and in the contractors' hands for up to a couple of months. During this time, even thousands of devices containing defective components would have been manufactured before the defect would have been noticed during the commissioning or use of the devices, says Heinonen about the benefits achieved through product testing.
"We have worked closely with Elkome to develop the testing process and make operations more efficient. Solutions to various challenges have been found quickly and changes to all testers have been systematically implemented."
R&D Chief Designer Rami Heinonen, Kaukora Oy
