OUR SOLUTIONS FOR VACUUM BOX LEAK TESTING (NDT LT)
Are you seeking a reliable, quick, and long-lasting solution for leak testing your welded joints?
Flying Vision has developed an innovative range of vacuum boxes and vacuum pumps that meet most bubble leak testing requirements using vacuum chambers.
Can’t find the right solution for your setup? Looking for vacuum boxes for sale? Curious about vacuum box testing equipment prices?
Feel free to contact us for custom adaptations or bespoke development of our vacuum box systems.
Our product
Vacuum Box
VACUUM BOX BAV-7025
Ref : BAV-A100-001
CONTROL CONFIGURATION
Vacuum box designed for leak testing on:
- Flat welds
- Lap joints, lap welds
- Internal or external circular welds depending on the curvature radius
VACUUM BOX BAV-4025
Ref : BAV-A200-001
CONTROL CONFIGURATION
Vacuum box designed for leak testing on:
- Flat welds
- Lap joints, lap welds
- Internal or external circular welds depending on the curvature radius
VACUUM BOX BAV-4025A SERIES
Ref : BAV-A300-x
CONTROL CONFIGURATION
Series of vacuum box designed for leak testing on:
- Internal angle welds
- External angle welds
- Internal or external angle welds with a varying angle
VACUUM BOX BAV-40C
Ref : BAV-A400-001
CONTROL CONFIGURATION
Series of vacuum boxes designed for leak testing on:
- Internal corner welds at 90°
- Internal corner welds where an isosceles plane is
- Present
Vacuum Pump
VACUUM PUMP
Ref : PAV-B8-xxx
110/120V or 220/240V Dry vacuum pump
8 m³/h – 150mbar vacuum – Dry vacuum pump designed for most demanding field conditions.
It is the ideal solution for generating vacuum during your vacuum box leak testing operations.
Options and Accessories
silicone SPACERS KIT
Ref : BAV-090
For vacuum box inspections of lapwelds
Innovative solution to perform vacuum box leak testing on lap weld joints up to 25 mm, depending on the vacuum box model selected.
LED LIGHTING
Ref : BAV-A050
Led lighting option for all BAV vacuum box series
Removable, battery-powered LED lighting system designed for all BAV vacuum box series.
This accessory makes it easy to achieve the minimum required lighting level during your vacuum box leak inspections.
VACUUM PUMP HOSES
Hoses for the PAV-B8 series vacuum pumps
Extension hoses equipped with Rectus 21 male and female quick couplings, for connecting any BAV series vacuum box to your PAV-B8-XXX vacuum pump.
Vacuum box for Leak Testing
Operating principle
Vacuum box testing is a non-destructive testing (NDT) method used to check the seal integrity of welded joints. This process utilizes a vacuum box, often made of Plexiglas, in conjunction with a vacuum system to create a pressure differential. A reactive agent, which generates bubbles, is applied to the surface under test.
Purpose of the bubble leak test
The main goal of this bubble leak testing method or vacuum box inspection is to identify leaks in systems that cannot be conventionally pressurized. In the event of a leak, the reactive agent creates bubbles, providing a visual indication of the leak.
Therefore, it is essential to maintain a clear reading of indications that the distance between the vacuum box’s window and the inspected surface be at least 1 to 2 cm.
Areas of application
- Vacuum box test for tanks / Storage tanks (vacuum box testing tank bottom or shell)
- Ship hulls
- Overlap, butt welds (vacuum box weld testing equipment)
- Roofing waterproofing sheets and membranes for flat or terrace roofs
- Any other surfaces (metallic or not) where a pressure gradient can be applied
Main Features of our Vacuum Box
TWO PARTS MODULAR DESIGN
- Independent inspection window including all elements necessary for inspection processing (vacuum gauge, hybrid vacuum system, and handling grips)
- Height of the inspection chamber at least 2cm to facilitate indication interpretation
- Interchangeable base for:
- Quick maintenance
- Modularity / configuration change
HYBRID VACUUM SYSTEM
- Aluminum and stainless steel design for enhanced durability
- Integrated into the window to ensure mechanical protection
- Venturi effect vacuum
- Airflow regulation valve on the Venturi side
- Quick coupling Rectus type 23 male
- Vacuum pump suction
- Aluminium control valve
- Quick coupling Rectus type 21 male
CONTROL VALVE
Our vacuum boxes include an anodized aluminum quick-control valve system performing the following functions:
- Quick adjustment of the vacuum pressure using either the Venturi effect or a vacuum pump
- Release valve for eliminating the vacuum and immediately detaching the vacuum box
VACUUM ADJUSTMENT AND REGULATION
- Integrated vacuum gauge within the window for mechanical protection
- Easily removable with a single nut
- Measurement range: 0 to -1 bar
- Calibration certificate available as an option
- Flow regulation valve with venturi effect mode
- Can be used for fine vacuum adjustment when a vacuum pump is in use
HIGH PERFORMANCE FOAM
- High resistance to abrasion
- Flexibility 40/50 shore 00
- Standard foam heights of 35 mm
- High deformation and clearance capacity (around 20mm for standard foam and around 30 mm for 50 mm foam with silicone spacers option)
- Innovative geometry to ease application and reduce effort
- High resistance adhesive bonding
- Resistant to hydrocarbons and most chemicals
VIEWING WINDOW
With its two-part design, the vacuum box features a 15 to 20 mm high viewing window that allows for clear interpretation of readings during inspections.
LED LIGHTING (optional)
This option allows you to easily meet the minimum lighting requirements necessary for your vacuum box inspections.
- Removable LED lighting with battery
- USB-C charging port
- Diffuser to reduce reflections
- Light temperature 4500°K
- Adjustable from 500 to 15000 Lux
- 6 hours of battery life at 2500 Lux
- IP68 protection
Overview of our Vacuum Box Product Range
BAV7025 Series Kits
Reference / Designation
Réf: BAV-A100-001
BAV7025 – Flat vacuum box kit
Control Configuration
Specifications
Dimensions
700 x 250 x 130 mm
Weight
7.2 kg
Foam Height
35 mm
Foam Hardness
40/50 Shore 00
Max Controllable Height
20 mm*
Min Control Radius
8 m
BAV4025x Series Kits
Reference / Designation
Réf: BAV-A200-001
BAV4025 – Flat vacuum box kit
Control Configuration
Specifications
Dimensions
400 x 250 x 130 mm
Weight
4.5 kg
Foam Height
35 mm
Foam Hardness
40/50 Shore 00
Max Controllable Height
22 mm*
Min Control Radius
2.5 m
Reference / Designation
Réf: BAV-A300-2
BAV4025A – 70° angle vacuum box kit
Control Configuration
Specifications
Dimensions
400 x 250 x 300 mm
Weight
6.5 kg
Foam Height
35 mm
Foam Hardness
40/50 Shore 00
Nominal Control Angle
70°
Min Control Radius
≈ 65° à 80°
Reference / Designation
Réf: BAV-A300-1
BAV4025A – 90° angle vacuum box kit
Control Configuration
Specifications
Dimensions
400 x 250 x 250 mm
Weight
6.2 kg
Foam Height
35 mm
Foam Hardness
40/50 Shore 00
Nominal Control Angle
90°
Max Controllable Angle
≈ 80° à 100°
Reference / Designation
Réf: BAV-A300-3
BAV4025A – 110° angle vacuum box kit
Control Configuration
Specifications
Dimensions
400 x 250 x 220 mm
Weight
6 kg
Foam Height
35 mm
Foam Hardness
40/50 Shore 00
Nominal Control Angle
110°
Max Controllable Angle
≈ 100° à 120°
Reference / Designation
Réf: BAV-A300-4
BAV4025A – 130° angle vacuum box kit
Control Configuration
Specifications
Dimensions
400 x 250 x 190 mm
Weight
5.8 kg
Foam Height
35 mm
Foam Hardness
40/50 Shore 00
Nominal Control Angle
130°
Max Controllable Angle
≈ 120° à 140°
Reference / Designation
Réf: BAV-A300-5
BAV4025A – 220° angle vacuum box kit
Control Configuration
Specifications
Dimensions
400 x 250 x 190 mm
Weight
6.2 kg
Foam Height
35 mm
Foam Hardness
40/50 Shore 00
Nominal Control Angle
220°
Max Controllable Angle
≈ 210° à 230°
Reference / Designation
Réf: BAV-A300-6
BAV4025A – 270° angle vacuum box kit
Control Configuration
Specifications
Dimensions
400 x 250 x 190 mm
Weight
6.2 kg
Foam Height
35 mm
Foam Hardness
40/50 Shore 00
Nominal Control Angle
270°
Max Controllable Angle
≈ 260° à 280°
Optional Bases for the BAV4025x
Reference
Designation
Réf: BAV-A220-1
Complete base for BAV4025x – 180° Angle / flat base – Foam height 35mm
Réf: BAV-A220-2
Complete base for BAV4025x – 180° Angle / flat base – Foam height 50mm
Réf: BAV-A320-2
Complete base for BAV4025x – 70° Angle – Foam height 35mm
Réf: BAV-A320-1
Complete base for BAV4025x – 90° Angle – Foam height 35mm
Réf: BAV-A320-3
Complete base for BAV4025x – 110° Angle – Foam height 35mm
Réf: BAV-A320-4
Complete base for BAV4025x – 130° Angle – Foam height 35mm
Réf: BAV-A320-5
Complete base for BAV4025x – 220° Angle – Foam height 35mm
Réf: BAV-A320-6
Complete base for BAV4025x – 270° Angle – Foam height 35mm
BAV40C Kits series
Reference / Designation
Réf: BAV-A400-001
BAV40C – int. corner vacuum box kit
Control Configuration
Specifications
Dimensions
490 x 270 x 130 mm
Weight
4.5 kg
Foam Height
15 mm
Foam Hardness
40/50 Shore 00
Controllable Angle
Internal corner at 90° or
corner where the 3 sides
form an isoscel
Associated Standards for Leak Testing by Vacuum Box
Leak testing using vacuum boxes is governed by several international standards to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability of inspections.
Prominent among these standards are API 650 (Welded Tanks for Oil Storage), ASTM E515 (Leak Testing by Bubble Emission Techniques), and ASME V Article 10 (Leak Testing).
These standards provide essential guidance, outlining recommended procedures, vacuum levels, equipment specifications, and acceptance criteria.
Adhering to such standards ensures high-quality inspections and accurate leak detection in welded structures.
Examples of Standards, Common Requirements, and Recommendations
For instance, API 650 clearly specifies several important recommendations for vacuum box leak testing.
The temperature of the surface inspected should ideally be maintained between 4°C and 52°C (39.2°F–125.6°F) to ensure test effectiveness.
A bubble-forming soap solution must fully wet the area under test. Typically, the recommended internal vacuum level inside the vacuum box ranges between 3 to 5 psi (21 to 35 kPa), with this vacuum maintained for at least 5 seconds to reliably detect leaks.
Additionally, when conducting sequential inspections, overlapping each inspection area by at least 2 inches (50 mm) is recommended to avoid any missed detection areas.
Regarding vacuum box dimensions, while no specific size is mandated by API 650, it is generally recommended to select vacuum boxes adapted to the weld geometry and configuration to optimize testing efficiency and accuracy.
