Q&A: Can Domestic Leak Testers Replace Imported Equipment? A Guide to Rational Evaluation

Domestic substitution of industrial leak detection equipment is becoming an increasingly concrete topic in discussions about reducing costs and improving efficiency in the manufacturing sector. However, this conversation often gets bogged down in two extremes: either overly optimistic “Domestic products have completely caught up with imported ones.", or an overly conservative "When it comes to precision, it's best not to take any chances.".

The truth usually lies somewhere in the middle and depends heavily on the specific context.

Q1: Why are more and more companies beginning to evaluate domestic alternatives?

The answer to this question isn't just "let sb. off lightly"So simple.

Domestic Substitutes Launched by Jingcheng EngineeringAirtightness TesterSolutions, including OEM customization

When companies use importedAir tightness testing equipmentOver the years, a certain type of shared transaction cost often gradually accumulates:Long lead times for spare parts, slow response times from local technical support, and a reliance on the original manufacturer's engineers for parameter configuration. These friction costs are not visible in equipment purchase quotes, but they continue to take a toll during day-to-day operations.

At the same time, the demand for testing equipment among manufacturing companies is also evolving. “Check for leaks"These are just the baseline requirements; additional requirements include:

Can test parameters be quickly switched between different products? Can the system integrate seamlessly with PLCs, robotic arms, and MES systems? Can sealing fixtures be customized for specific workpieces? Can products be shipped under an overseas customer’s brand?

The true starting point for evaluating domestic substitutes is to re-examine the overall compatibility of the entire testing solution....rather than simply importing a single unitleak detectorSwitch to a domestic productairtight instrumentsThe

Q2: Can multi-channel equipment really improve production line efficiency?

There is an opportunity, but it needs to be evaluated based on accurate expectations.

Taking a complete test cycle of 10 seconds per product as an example, the theoretical channel utilization is as follows:

Configuration	Theoretical Testing Capacity (units per hour)	clarification
Single-channel	360	Benchmark
dual	Up to 720	When the two channels operate completely independently and in parallel
quad	Up to 1440	When all four channels are operating in fully independent parallel mode

This is an idealized theoretical calculation.Actual production capacity is constrained by multiple factors, including clamping time, inflation and pressure equalization cycles, loading and unloading cycles, and workpiece stability., though the actual percentage increase in efficiency varies by production line.

A more rational approach is to first identify the bottlenecks in the existing production line—if the bottleneck lies in loading and unloading rather than the inspection process itself, increasing the number of lanes will have only a very limited impact on efficiency.The number of lanes should be determined based on the results of the production line takt time verification, rather than by working backward from theoretical calculations.

Q3: Can domestically manufactured equipment meet the requirements for accuracy, repeatability, and calibration?

There is no single answer to this question; the answer depends on the specific model and must be verified based on the workpiece.

Airtightness TesterThe core working logic is:Gas is introduced into the workpiece at a specified pressure; changes in pressure, pressure differential, or gas flow rate are monitored, and a pass/fail determination is made based on preset leak limits.. Different testing principles—such as direct-pressure, differential-pressure, and flow-based methods—are suitable for different workpiece structures and leak rate requirements.

When selecting a product, the following four factors must be verified through practical testing, rather than relying solely on the specifications:

• Matching Measurement Accuracy and Measurement Range: Resolution and accuracy are two different metrics; high resolution does not necessarily mean high accuracy. Accuracy must be verified within the actual test range.
• Repeatability Testing: When the same workpiece is tested repeatedly under specified conditions, the consistency of the results is a key indicator of the equipment's stability.
• Standard Orifice Calibration: Does the equipment support standard leak holes, and does the verification process comply with internal company requirements?
• Workpiece Comparison and Verification: Conduct actual inspections using conforming parts, nonconforming parts, and samples with a known defect rate to verify the equipment's ability to identify out-of-specification parts.

in order toDifferential Pressure Airtightness Testing EquipmentFor example, mainstream domestic products on the market, such as JCGK (Jingcheng Engineering)’s JC-C10005 Published technical specifications typically include a resolution on the order of 0.1 Pa and a measurement accuracy of 0.0751 TP3T F.S.However, these figures are only meaningful when considered in the context of specific test ranges and workpiece leakage rate requirements.

Q4: Can overseas factories source private-label, custom-made products?Air tightness testerRight?

For equipment integrators, automation equipment manufacturers, and manufacturing companies seeking to develop their own brands, OEM/ODM solutions are options that can be considered during project evaluation.

The focus of private-label customization is typically not limited to simply changing the appearance and logo; more substantive requirements include:Set test parameters and pass thresholds in accordance with product testing specifications; customize sealing fixtures based on workpiece structure to minimize clamping errors; and integrate with PLC signals, data traceability systems, and the MES platform according to production line requirements.The

The value of brand customization lies in ensuring that the equipment is truly integrated into the company’s product system and quality management processes....rather than simply attaching a different nameplate. When evaluating OEM partnerships, the details of the technical agreement are more important than the commercial terms.

Q5: How should domestically manufactured equipment be compared to imported equipment?

Relying solely on purchase quotes is the most common mistake.Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the appropriate framework for comparison.

Evaluation Dimensions	Key Focus Areas
Initial Purchase	Equipment, tooling, software, and integration costs
production efficiency	Per-unit test cycle, changeover time, channel utilization
Test Quality	Accuracy, Repeatability, False Positive Rate, and Calibration Requirements
Maintenance Costs	Spare Parts Availability, Repair Response Time, Downtime Costs
system integration	Capabilities for integrating with PLCs, barcode scanning, MES, and data traceability systems
Delivery and Support	Local technical response time and scalability

Products from leading imported brands such as ATEQ and COSMO cover functions including differential pressure detection, vacuum testing, flow measurement, and standard leak calibration, with their technical maturity proven over the long term. Domestic equipment has established a complete product line based on similar principles and functions, and some companies—such as JCGK Jingcheng Engineering, a leading brand in the industry—also offer advantages in terms of localized service responsiveness and customization flexibility.

The basis for comparison is the same test task and verifiable test results., rather than brand recognition or price differences.

Conclusion

made in ChinaAirtightness TesterWhen it comes to whether domestic equipment can replace imported equipment, the answer has always been:It depends on your test tasks and your validation results.

For applications where the detection principles, measurement range, accuracy, and interface requirements are compatible, domestically manufactured equipment is now an option worth serious consideration.Shenzhen Jingchenggongke Technology Co., Ltd.(JCGK) offers a variety of testing solutions, including direct-pressure, differential-pressure, flow-based, and positive/negative pressure hybrid methods, as well as multi-channel configurations, custom fixture design, and automation integration services. For more details, please visit www.air-tester.com Learn more about the product.

However, regardless of which brand you choose, testing samples, verifying cycle times, and performing interface integration testing before procurement are essential steps that cannot be skipped.Reducing procurement costs is just the beginning; ensuring that inspection solutions are truly tailored to the product, production lines, and long-term operational needs is where the core value of domestic substitution lies.

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Original Statement:this paper was written byShenzhen Jingchenggongke Technology Co., Ltd.Written by the technical team, reproduced with attribution.Data sources: Precision Engineering internal test data and customer cases.