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Meyer Tool Builds on a Core Competence
November 26, 2013
When welding the “impossible” is a core competence, certainly, understanding vacuum and best practices in leak testing becomes a core competence as well. In our efforts to Reduce Project Risk for our customers with needs in cryogenic, vacuum, and pressure technologies, Meyer Tool hosted three days of outside training in “Basic Vacuum Practice” and “Leak Rate Test and Measurement” during the first week of November 2013.
At Meyer Tool, we try to plan for the future, maintaining a balanced skill set of trainee, mid-level and long-term, experienced employees in every department. This training provided a great refresher for our experienced technicians, as well as opportunity to train new assembly/test personnel. By bringing this training in-house, we were able to personalize this training to our environment, include non-assembly personnel and capitalize on the opportunity to learn in a group that can reinforce the learning as they apply it. Having employees with various levels of expertise participate, as well as including employees from a range of departments such as engineering, quality and management, brought a broad range of ideas and perspectives to the classroom, providing cross training and a deeper understanding of the impact one department has on the others and of vacuum and leak test technologies as a whole. What better way to enhance our expertise than by bringing this group together for three days of intensive training on company core competencies with a cross functional team?
The courses provided practical information on vacuum system operation, performance, and maintenance, as well as a comprehensive treatment of vacuum technology. The process of using a helium mass spectrometer leak detector (HMSLD) to locate vacuum system leaks was thoroughly covered. Participants gained practical knowledge in how to set up, operate, and execute testing procedures. Subjects covered:
Meyer Tool has a Standard Operating Procedure (MTM-SOP-5500) for the “Qualification of Helium Leak Test Personnel”. This procedure establishes the minimum requirements for the training, education, examination, experience, certification of Helium Leak Test personnel at Meyer Tool. Personnel are qualified according to standards including ASTM E498, ASME Section V Article 10, and Meyer Tool internal procedures MTM-MP-1110 Mass Spectrometer Leak Detection Procedure and MTM-MP-1111 Mass Spectrometer Leak Detection Procedure Detector Probe Technique.
A Helium Leak Test Technician begins as a Trainee, and spends a minimum of one year shadowing more advanced technicians, practicing skills and maintenance of equipment, as well as studying literature and procedures for practical exams administered by Meyer Tool. The training that we brought in house is normally completed as an outside course by the trainee. Upon completion of status as a Trainee, the technician becomes a Level I, at which time they are allowed to perform Helium Leak Testing under the supervision of a Level II Technician. Level I Technicians must also be able to pass practical, skill, and performance based examinations, in addition to demonstrating a strong and safe grasp of the duties involved with working unsupervised on a Helium Leak Test. After a minimum of five years experience as a Level I Technician, or a minimum of ten years experience in Helium Leak Testing overall, a technician has the opportunity to ascend to the senior level of Helium Leak Testing certification, a Level II Technician. As a Level II, Helium Leak Testing Technicians have the responsibility of performing test unsupervised or as the supervisor of a Level I or Trainee. Additionally, they are now qualified to train Level I or Trainee Technicians.
At Meyer Tool, we pride ourselves on maintaining the ability to Reduce Project Risk as a trusted supplier to the country’s national laboratories, research universities and industrial leaders pursuing cutting edge technologies. Investing in our team is one way to ensure that future generations of Meyer Tool employees will continue to possess the skill sets needed to meet the demands of our increasingly complex and intricate projects.
At Meyer Tool, we try to plan for the future, maintaining a balanced skill set of trainee, mid-level and long-term, experienced employees in every department. This training provided a great refresher for our experienced technicians, as well as opportunity to train new assembly/test personnel. By bringing this training in-house, we were able to personalize this training to our environment, include non-assembly personnel and capitalize on the opportunity to learn in a group that can reinforce the learning as they apply it. Having employees with various levels of expertise participate, as well as including employees from a range of departments such as engineering, quality and management, brought a broad range of ideas and perspectives to the classroom, providing cross training and a deeper understanding of the impact one department has on the others and of vacuum and leak test technologies as a whole. What better way to enhance our expertise than by bringing this group together for three days of intensive training on company core competencies with a cross functional team?
The courses provided practical information on vacuum system operation, performance, and maintenance, as well as a comprehensive treatment of vacuum technology. The process of using a helium mass spectrometer leak detector (HMSLD) to locate vacuum system leaks was thoroughly covered. Participants gained practical knowledge in how to set up, operate, and execute testing procedures. Subjects covered:
- Describe gas properties and laws
- Properly pump down and cycle vacuum systems
- Identify advantages/disadvantages of available pumping methods
- Select appropriate gauging and materials at different vacuum levels
- Describe routine maintenance requirements for pumps and components
- Characterize vacuum system performance
- Describe HMSLD principles of operation
- Properly operate, tune, and calibrate an HMSLD
- Troubleshoot and locate leaks in vacuum systems
Meyer Tool has a Standard Operating Procedure (MTM-SOP-5500) for the “Qualification of Helium Leak Test Personnel”. This procedure establishes the minimum requirements for the training, education, examination, experience, certification of Helium Leak Test personnel at Meyer Tool. Personnel are qualified according to standards including ASTM E498, ASME Section V Article 10, and Meyer Tool internal procedures MTM-MP-1110 Mass Spectrometer Leak Detection Procedure and MTM-MP-1111 Mass Spectrometer Leak Detection Procedure Detector Probe Technique.
A Helium Leak Test Technician begins as a Trainee, and spends a minimum of one year shadowing more advanced technicians, practicing skills and maintenance of equipment, as well as studying literature and procedures for practical exams administered by Meyer Tool. The training that we brought in house is normally completed as an outside course by the trainee. Upon completion of status as a Trainee, the technician becomes a Level I, at which time they are allowed to perform Helium Leak Testing under the supervision of a Level II Technician. Level I Technicians must also be able to pass practical, skill, and performance based examinations, in addition to demonstrating a strong and safe grasp of the duties involved with working unsupervised on a Helium Leak Test. After a minimum of five years experience as a Level I Technician, or a minimum of ten years experience in Helium Leak Testing overall, a technician has the opportunity to ascend to the senior level of Helium Leak Testing certification, a Level II Technician. As a Level II, Helium Leak Testing Technicians have the responsibility of performing test unsupervised or as the supervisor of a Level I or Trainee. Additionally, they are now qualified to train Level I or Trainee Technicians.
At Meyer Tool, we pride ourselves on maintaining the ability to Reduce Project Risk as a trusted supplier to the country’s national laboratories, research universities and industrial leaders pursuing cutting edge technologies. Investing in our team is one way to ensure that future generations of Meyer Tool employees will continue to possess the skill sets needed to meet the demands of our increasingly complex and intricate projects.
