Behind the Scenes | Pump Longevity Testing
Serving Solutions & Company News
2021.02.16
Our goal is to provide the foodservice industry with high-quality, long-lasting commercial kitchen equipment. As a part of our 2018 equipment test lab redesign, we had a local engineering company design two pump testing machines specifically with pump life cycle testing in mind. This has given us more accurate test data than we were able to generate through previous testing methods. For example, we now know the average Eco™ Pump, when used properly, can last for more than 80,000 dispenses, which helps us recommend how long an operation can wait to buy replacement wear parts like springs and seals.
Our Product Solution Specialist, Mike, and Lab Technician, Brian, gave us a little insight as to why these two machines are crucial to providing customers with top-notch pumps.
“Prior to these machines, we only had the capacity to test two pumps at one time,” Brian said. “With these, we have the capability to test a total of eight at once.”
Test parameters are set for each individual pump (shown right), and the system tracks data for each. Large pistons depress the pumps at whatever speed or height the tester programs.
“We’ve used these machines to test our current pump models, and now that we have a baseline of the life of our Eco and Stainless Steel Pumps, we can also use them to test any new pump or new designs,” Mike said. “This way we can ensure we are getting the same longevity out of any new design or design changes.”
Using this data, we can give customers an estimated guess on how long their ware parts will last – for example, the average Eco Pump spring will last between 80,000 and 110,000 presses until it needs to be replaced depending on variables like how well an operation maintains the pump in general and what type of food they’re dispensing.
The testing machines also measure the amount of pressure needed to dispense a certain food product. This also helps us advise if a certain food product would better suit a different kind of pump.
“It uses current to estimate force needed to pump something,” Mike said. “The more current needed to push down the pump, the more force it takes to dispense a product.”
An email alert system can be set up for any testing metric, whether a tester wants to know when a pump reaches 100,000 dispenses, if food product bypasses a seal, or simply when the test is over.
Test data is saved to hard drives, which makes it easy to replicate previous tests, and as a test finishes, the machines convert data into an Excel file report for quick analysis.
Our condiment and syrup pumps aren’t the only pieces of equipment put through rigorous quality and life cycle testing at Server. Our countertop warmers and rethermalizers as well as dry dispensers all have durability testing specific to their uses. So when you see the Server logo, you know it’s a piece of equipment your operation can depend on.
Browse our catalog of long-lasting, high-quality serving, holding and dispensing technology for every application from cold tables and warmers to food manufacturer containers.
If you would like more information on our product life cycles or a possible test for your food product, reach out to us!