The Performance and Quality Control of Diesel Engine Components

Abstract

This paper outlines methods developed to control the quality of incoming materials and finished components with emphasis on the performance that is ultimately required from them. The examples given are taken from diesel engineering but the basic ideas apply to all industries whose final products consist of an assembly of components which are complete in themselves. The quality control of materials and components fills an important role in ensuring that the technical requirements written into a specification by a designer are met by suppliers. The author outlines various techniques developed in his company to achieve this. The paper has two main sections: ( a) quality control of incoming materials, and ( b) performance control of components. The first part deals with the controls established for cast-iron components of various sizes ranging from bedplates and columns weighing about 20 tons to piston rings weighing less than one pound. Ultrasonic testing is briefly discussed as also is the material specification for white metal bearings. The second part of the paper gives examples of performance testing of a number of diesel engine components together with brief details of some of the test rigs that have been developed to carry out the tests. Some of the components discussed in this section are piston rings, crankshafts, camshafts, cams, and fuel injection equipment.