Autoclave quick closure: Causes and locations of leaks
This project focused on enhancing the design of the autoclave’s closing system. During hydraulic tests, water leakage through the upper cover was observed in some cases. To identify the causes and address the issue, an FEA study was conducted.
The study aimed to identify the weakest areas in the sealing system and those experiencing the most displacement under test pressure. A comprehensive structural analysis involving stress, strain, and displacement measurements was carried out, which resulted a series of possible modifications to the closure system, with an estimate of how much each could contribute to leakage reduction.
Finally, it was decided to reinforce the cover by increasing its thickness, which turned out to be the most critical element. Experimental tests showed that the problem was solved with the adopted modification.
Project takeaways:
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The primary challenge of this project was determining, element by element, the contribution of each component to the vertical and radial displacements causing the cover to separate from the body.
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FEA analysis was essential in refining the design for a mass-produced product, ensuring safety, optimizing design and reducing trial-and-error iterations, resulting in time and cost savings.
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