Fluidtrol’s goal is to manufacture the very best basket strainers without exception. Continuous product improvement and customer satisfaction has defined our company for years, and drives our Total Design Process detailed below.
We continuously listen to customers, employees, designers, installers and end users for improvement ideas. Starting with the end user we research every warranty claim for the root cause and potential improvement opportunity. We meet with aquatic designers to fully understand their specification standards and incorporate their suggestions. We also inquire pool builders and installers how to design for and easy and perfect install. In addition to surveying and cataloging ideas externally, we incentivize employees for creative contribution and reward the best suggestion every month. Our approach emphasizes listening and actively looking for improvement opportunities.
Each suggestion is reviewed for manufacturing feasibility and value-add performance improvement. Our engineering team with backgrounds in chemical, mechanical and composite engineering, use a very wide range of tools not commonly found in our industry. Our engineers test ideas using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), 3D Modeling, and Rapid Prototyping.
Once an improvement is researched, our engineers develop the design change packet by modifying Engineering CAD drawings, reviewing material specifications, and updating assembly procedures. The design packet is then reviewed to ensure we still meet applicable codes such as ASME BPVC SEC X. The new design is prototyped and tested. Since we create prototypes in-house we maximize our understanding of the material limitations through product sampling and destructive testing.
Fluidtrol Tests and Validates design change to ensure the new configuration meets performance specifications. Our hydrostatic test validates structural integrity and leak tight seals. Our flow test validates form drag calculations used in pressure drop literature.