Introducing INFICON XL3000flex for Flexible Sniffer Leak Detection with Helium or Forming Gas

High gas flow makes this sniffer leak detector ideal even for inexperienced operators

The new INFICON XL3000flex sniffer leak detector is the first device to detect leaks with forming gas (95% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen) as accurately as with helium, with a smallest detectable leak rate of 1 ∙ 10^-7 mbar∙l/s for both test gases. With the new XL3000flex, users have the flexibility to choose the test gas which is easiest/lower cost for them to obtain. In addition, the new XL3000flex is equipped with INFICON High Flow technology, meaning the device operates with a gas flow of 3000 sccm - the highest gas flow available on the market today. This allows the sniffer tip to be moved over the test piece at some distance and at a higher speed, so even the most inexperienced operators can achieve reliable results with the XL3000flex. An additional advantage of the high gas flow is that it is the only way to enable reliable robotic sniffer leak testing.  

Highest reliability under manufacturing conditions

The INFICON XL3000flex offers the highest reliability in sniffer leak testing in a manufacturing facility. The device is suitable for harsh production environments, allows high process speeds and offers quick recovery after gross leaks. For operators who have little experience with sniffer leak detection, the INFICON High Flow technology is a significant advantage, because the high gas flow yields correct results even when the operator places the sniffer tip rather far from the part or moves over the test piece at high speed. For example, many conventional sniffer leak detectors draw in gas at only 60 sccm. If the distance of the sniffer tip from the test piece is 6 mm, a low gas flow leak of 1 ∙ 10^-3 mbar ∙ l / s (equivalent to e.g. oil leaks) will not be detected even if the sniffer tip remains completely static in front of the leak. By contrast, the new XL3000flex with its gas flow of 3000 sccm detects these leaks at the same distance, even at scan speeds of up to 10 cm / s with 100 percent reliability. The high gas flow is crucial for the reliability of dynamic sniffer leak detection.

Foolproof handling

The new XL3000flex is equipped with four simultaneous alarms that appeal to the three senses: hearing, touching and seeing, to best assist the operator in the manual leak detection process. If the XL3000flex detects a leak which exceeds the limit leak rate defined for the test, this triggers audio alarms in the base unit and in the handle of the sniffer tip. At the same time, LEDs in the sniffer tip start flashing, the display in the probe handle changes color from green to red, and the probe handle itself begins to vibrate. For the audio alarm different sounds can be set to avoid confusion with neighboring sniffer leak detection stations.

Integration options and dynamic robotic sniffing

Fieldbus interfaces make it easy to integrate the new device into industrial applications such as statistical process control. A connection to higher-level quality systems is also possible. Last but not least, the fieldbus interfaces allow the XL3000flex to be easily integrated into automated sniffer leak detection stations. In dynamic robotic leak testing, a robotic arm moves the sniffer tip over the parts to be tested. The INFICON High Flow technology is also indispensable for this application scenario. Because the sniffer probe needs a certain safety distance to the surface of the test part, to avoid crashes and to compensate for any component tolerances. As for manual sniffer leak detection, thanks to the high gas flow of 3000 sccm, the device detects leaks of 1 ∙ 10^-3 mbar ∙ l / s at a distance of 6 mm, even at scan speeds of 10 cm / s. Sniffer leak detectors with only 60 sccm completely fail in these application scenarios.

Learn more about the new XL3000flex on our website, or contact your nearest sales representative for a demonstration at your convenience.