For automation engineers and project managers, Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) is a critical milestone. It’s the moment when all the pieces – fixtures, pneumatics, software, and controls – must work together in front of the customer. Leak testing is often the hardest part of this puzzle, because each customer project can require a different method: pressure decay for one, occlusion for another, burst or creep testing for the next. Too often, teams end up juggling multiple leak testers, each with its own quirks and user interface, complicating both system design and FAT execution.

Astra Dash was built to simplify this. Instead of maintaining multiple testers, one Astra Dash platform with a common user interface can handle virtually any leak or flow test method: pressure decay, mass flow, burst, occlusion, vacuum, differential decay, and more. Each channel box can be configured for a different method, and they can all run simultaneously without interfering with one another. That means the same hardware can adapt from an IV bag burst test in one project to a gearbox pressure decay test in another – all with the same control philosophy and operator workflow.

The real value for automation houses comes in troubleshooting and validation. Because Astra Dash has a consistent UI across all projects, engineers don’t need to relearn controls for each test type. Its built-in wizards step through setup, ensuring correct pressure ranges, stabilization times, and leak limits are applied. Diagnostic widgets display real-time pressure curves and sensor data, helping engineers pinpoint issues during FAT without diving into raw code or external instrumentation. Instead of spending days chasing fixture leaks or misconfigured parameters, your team gets to resolution faster – which means a smoother FAT and a more confident customer handoff.

Technically, this consistency is supported by Astra Dash’s modular design. Each channel box stores its configuration, so validated test setups can be transferred from R&D into production or cloned across systems for repeat builds. Global I/O, communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, REST API), and the Automation Director sequencing engine remain the same across all projects. For project managers, that means predictable integration, less retraining, and fewer surprises when it comes time for FAT.

For automation engineers who are managing multiple customers and deadlines, Astra Dash acts like a trusted toolkit: one tester, one interface, many methods. That consistency reduces risk, accelerates troubleshooting, and most importantly – helps you deliver successful FATs the first time, strengthening your reputation and shortening project timelines. 

The Astra Dash is the world’s first modular, multichannel leak tester with pneumatically isolated, asynchronous channels developed by Uson by PAC. It represents a dramatic leap forward for instrument uptime, technical accessibility, and flexible, scalable manufacturing. Learn more about Astra Dash.

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