Abstract: An acceptance tester for a fuel rail seal gland drops a weight to drive a simulated fuel injector dynamically at the opening of a seal gland to be tested, simulating accurately the mechanics of insertion of an injector into the gland on a production line. The force of insertion may be varied by varying the weight to be dropped, the height from which the weight is to be dropped, or both. A “pass” is indicated when the simulated injector and O-ring are inserted into the gland without damage to the gland or O-ring. A “fail” is indicated when the simulated injector and O-ring either fail to be inserted into the gland or damage the gland during insertion. A maximum acceptance force for a given combination of gland and fuel injector can easily be determined empirically. A continuous process for plating fuel rails may be readily controlled by testing plated glands at statistically significant intervals, permitting operators to accurately monitor plating thickness inferentially.

Abstract: An acceptance tester for a fuel rail seal gland drops a weight to drive a simulated fuel injector dynamically at the opening of a seal gland to be tested, simulating accurately the mechanics of insertion of an injector into the gland on a production line. The force of insertion may be varied by varying the weight to be dropped, the height from which the weight is to be dropped, or both. A “pass” is indicated when the simulated injector and O-ring are inserted into the gland without damage to the gland or O-ring. A “fail” is indicated when the simulated injector and O-ring either fail to be inserted into the gland or damage the gland during insertion. A maximum acceptance force for a given combination of gland and fuel injector can easily be determined empirically. A continuous process for plating fuel rails may be readily controlled by testing plated glands at statistically significant intervals, permitting operators to accurately monitor plating thickness inferentially.