INFICON Introduces LDS Arnova
The First Industrial Leak Detector Using Air or Argon as Test Gas
INFICON is setting a new benchmark in industrial leak testing with the launch of LDS Arnova, the world’s first leak detection system capable of using either ambient air or argon as a test gas in a vacuum chamber. This innovation gives manufacturers an unprecedented combination of accuracy, throughput, and cost efficiency—while addressing long‑standing technical limitations of pressure-based methods and the volatile conditions associated with helium testing.
Why LDS Arnova Makes a Difference
- Flexible and future‑proof testing: Use ambient air or argon to choose the most cost‑effective test gas without changing equipment.
- Confident leak detection: Detect extremely low leak rates (10⁻³ to 10⁻⁶ mbar·l/s) to catch even the smallest defects.
- Reliable results anywhere: Vacuum measurement stays stable despite temperature changes—fewer false readings, less downtime.
- Higher productivity: Faster, more consistent testing than pressure‑based methods boosts throughput.
- Lower operating costs: Argon delivers helium‑class sensitivity at a much lower price, while air testing adds an even more cost‑efficient option for applications where speed and economy matter most
- Faster small‑leak detection: EcoBoost technology speeds up detection by compensating for background effects.
- Proven industrial reliability: Built on the trusted LDS3000 platform for long-term robustness.
- Easy integration: High connectivity and modular design simplify installation and scaling.
- Full backward compatibility: System can always be upgraded to an LDS3000 if performance requirements change
A New Alternative to Pressure Testing and Helium
With air as the test gas, LDS Arnova can detect leaks in the 10⁻³ to 10⁻4 mbar ∙ l/s range-offering performance far superior to traditional pressure change methods, which suffer from temperature dependence, slow cycle times, and sensitivity limitations.
Compared with pressure-based approaches, LDS Arnova provides:
- Higher measurement stability,
- Faster cycle times, and
- Reliable, repeatable results.
For applications requiring detection of very small leaks (10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁶ mbar ∙ l/s), LDS Arnova uses argon, giving manufacturers access to helium-like sensitivity without the supply and cost challenges associated with helium.
Ideal for Large, Flexible, or Temperature Sensitive Components
LDS Arnova is designed to support a wide variety of industrial applications, including:
- Disposable and high-volume consumer products
- Non‑medical health products
- Temperature sensitive heat exchangers
- Large components such as tanks, battery housings, and fire extinguishers
- Flexible components where pressure methods fail e.g., urea tanks, printer cartridges
Air based vacuum testing enables highly stable measurements even on materials prone to thermal or mechanical variations, while argon support closes the gap for very small leak rates that previously required helium.
Built on the Proven LDS3000 Platform—Reengineered for Air and Argon
LDS Arnova builds on INFICON’s widely adopted LDS3000 platform, known globally for its robustness, accuracy, and seamless integration into high-volume production lines. While it retains the platform’s reliability and connectivity, LDS Arnova has been extensively reengineered to accommodate both air and argon as test gases.
“LDS Arnova feels familiar to anyone who knows the LDS3000, yet it brings a new level of flexibility and performance,” says Bokanovic. “It’s the next evolutionary step in our leak testing portfolio.”
EcoBoost: Faster Testing Through Smart Background Compensation
When used with argon, LDS Arnova features INFICON’s patented EcoBoost technology. This intelligent signal processing algorithm continuously evaluates the decreasing test gas background during evacuation, allowing LDS Arnova to:
- Detect small leaks much earlier
- Reduce cycle times
- Increase throughput in automated production lines
By avoiding a fixed zero-point calibration and evaluating the trend of the background curve instead, LDS Arnova accelerates vacuum leak testing while maintaining high sensitivity.
Interested in exploring how air and argon testing can transform your process?
Discover the full capabilities of LDS Arnova firsthand and see how it can boost accuracy, stability, and throughput in your production line.