Tightly connected Connections in e-mobility remain technically tight and clean

Technical cleanliness is a quality characteristic that is gaining in importance. Especially with regard to e-mobility, the correlation between cleanliness and tightness plays a crucial role...

Clean & tight - clean and tight - describes the technical connection for the basis of achieving waterproof connections, as required for example in electric mobility. That's why Arnold Umformtechnik is investigating the basics of this interplay, specifying applications and analyzing the influencing factors on the system to be connected. The company can thus be considered as one of the pioneers in this field. Hence, for the connection specialists from Forchtenberg, it is important to create an awareness that a certain tightness requirement also requires a defined degree of cleanliness.

Several testing methods check the tightness of systems.

The requirements for technical cleanliness were born in the automotive industry. Today, general rules lay down a standardized framework for implementing technical cleanliness. These include the VDA19.1 for testing technical cleanliness, the VDA 19.2 for technical cleanliness in assembly, and also the ISO 16.2.3.2 as well as a guideline for technical cleanliness for the electronics industry from the Electrical and Digital Industry Association ZVEI.

Arnold Umformtechnik has extensive equipment available for investigations into tightness and technical cleanliness. For the area of tightness, there are two tightness test benches that measure with test gas. One is a mass spectrometer that uses helium as a test medium. The other measures the differential pressure using air as a test medium. With another tightness test bench that uses water as a test medium, an IPX7 proof can be provided in addition, if necessary. (Editor's note: This proof certifies that a system is conditionally waterproof. It can then briefly submerge in water or stand in the rain (not too long) without taking damage).

Tracking cleanliness with a scanning electron microscope.

And for cleanliness analysis, it's important to capture the specific particle load on the components. In a so-called extraction cabinet at Arnold Umormtechnik, the dirt particles are detached from the component and collected. For the subsequent evaluation required, there are various approaches. For example, evaluation with a light microscope is possible. This can determine the length and width of the dirt particles and classify them in parallel as metallically shiny and non-metallically shiny. Statements about the mass of the particles are then made using a laboratory balance. New to the Forchtenbergers is a scanning electron microscope. With it, the exact chemical elements a shield particle is composed of can be determined. In addition, conclusions can be drawn about the sources from which particles come. A residual magnetism testing device is also available.