Central Laboratory -
Accredited as a testing laboratory for numerous environmental simulation tests since 2013

A salt spray test is used to test industrial materials for corrosion resistance to a salty, aggressive atmosphere.

Corrosion is a physicochemical interaction between a metal and its environment that results in a change in the properties of the metal. Corrosion can lead to significant impairment of the function of the metal, the environment or the technical system of which they form a part. Corrosion gnaws not only on base metals, but also on higher alloyed, tempered materials, plastics and painted surfaces.

In a climate test, environmental influences such as temperature or humidity fluctuations are simulated, testing their effects on the functional performance of products.

Many technical products are exposed to weather conditions over the course of their service life or are used in environments in which they must regularly withstand large temperature fluctuations and humidity.

Combined temperature and humidity tests, as stand-alone tests or in combination with vibration, can be performed as part of the climate testing. In addition to time accelerated test programs, control, operation as well as monitoring of the test items, such as for service life tests, are also offered.

Test results are used to optimize product durability, reliability and performance.

Selection of accredited test standards:

• DIN EN 60068-2-30 Test Db
• DIN EN 60068-2-38 Test Z/AD
• ISO 16750-4
• IEC 60068-2-14 Test Nb
• LV124 / VW80000 / MBN LV124 / GS 95024-1

IP ingress protection class dust

We carry out various IP protection class tests against this ingress of dust. We offer tests with or without negative pressure in the test specimen and with different types of dust. The tightness of the housing is tested as well as other problems such as the restriction of mobility.

Selection of test standards:

• DIN EN 60529
• DIN EN ISO 20653
• DIN 40050-9

IP ingression protection type water

This IP ingression protection type code describes the protection and resistance of a housing against the penetration of moisture. The water protection test is used to ensure the function of the products under the influence of rain, splash and jet water. In the test laboratory, we perform various IP ingress protection tests against the penetration of water and moisture, whether by sprinkling or diving.

Selection of test standards:

• DIN EN 60529
• DIN EN ISO 20653
• DIN 40050-9

Materials are exposed to air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides to varying degrees during their use. In the case of metallic materials in particular, this can lead to corrosion damage in combination with high ambient humidity. Corrosion is a physicochemical interaction between a metal and its environment which leads to a change in the metal's properties. Corrosion gnaws not only at base metals, but also at higher alloyed, tempered materials, plastics and painted surfaces.

An optical change caused by harmful gas can also occur in plastics. These effects on materials can cause equipment failure.

To demonstrate this resistance of technical products to hazardous gases, climatic test chambers allow precise dosing of hazardous gases into a climatized air volume. The main components of hazardous atmospheric trace gases are sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), chlorine gas (CL2) and NO2, with carrier gas synthetic air. Both single gas tests and mixed gas tests can be performed.

Selection of test standards:

• IEC 60068-2-60
• ISO 21207

A product is subjected to various mechanical stresses during each phase of its product life cycle, which can lead to a change in materials, severe damage and consequent failure of the product. This can affect both transportation and normal operation. To ensure that the product can withstand the stresses, these are simulated by vibration testing. Electrodynamic shakers are therefore used to induce vibrations within the component during vibration and modal analyses. In addition, they are used for fatigue tests where high frequencies have to be induced.

The induction modes are divided into sine stimulation (deterministic algorithmic vibrations), random or noise stimulation (stochastic vibrations), and shock stimulation (single shock or impact).

Selection of accredited testing standards:

• DIN EN 60068-2- 6
• LV124 / VW80000 / MBN LV124 / GS 95024-1
• DIN EN ISO 13355
• IEC 60068-2-27
• ISO 2248
• ISO 16750-3
• JESD22- B103B.01

The test of the gravel impact resistance of coatings carried out in accordance with DIN EN ISO 20567-1 is considered a multi-impact test. The gravel impact test is a standardized test method for investigating the durability of coatings and is required by vehicle manufacturers in a wide range of standards.

In the standard-compliant multi-grit tester, coated test items are bombarded in rapid succession by many small sharp-edged impact bodies, a standardized chilled cast granulate. The bombardment material is accelerated by compressed air at a specified angle onto the test item. The gravel impact resistance is then assessed.

High-speed recording enables the exploration and study of high-speed process flows.

The Keyence "VW-9000" high-speed camera has a wide range of dynamic recording options. Applications of the innovative Keyence camera include recording the vibration behavior of a test item on shakers when attention is to be paid to mounts, specific fixing points or connections. Furthermore, recordings of an impact during a drop test, as well as of shock pulses are conceivable.

In addition to a macro lens with 6x optical zoom, the high-speed camera offers colour images instead of conventional black-and-white images. A free angle adjustment of the tripod allows mobile applications of the camera. An integrated illumination unit that can be adapted to any application situation produces high-quality images, and there is also a full-frame scanning system. Frame rates can be up to 230,000 fps.

Tension/compression tests can be used to determine how components or connectors, for example, react when subjected to a sequence of compressive and traction.

Mechanical tests such as tension, compression and bending, as well as the determination of insertion, withdrawal and retention forces, can be applied to materials and components in a variety of ways.

The test items are loaded by the test variables force, moment or deformation with defined value, time sequence and defined frequency. Tension, compression and flexure tests based on various test standards are distinguished as classic test types.

With our tension/compression tests, we offer strength and component testing in the load range up to a maximum of 5 kN. Clamping tools and test equipment are available for statistical and dynamic tension tests, statistical and dynamic compression tests, and bending tests.

Selection of possible test standards:

• USCAR 15-3

The aim of the transport simulation and packaging test is to simulate the transport load on the type specimen on its way to its subsequent place of use by means of suitable test procedures from the field of vibration testing and environmental simulation. Be it a load caused by transport on rails, the road or extreme conditions of a sea transport or an air transport, the test should show in which condition the test item arrives at its destination. It also checks whether the packaging protects against damage and thus meets the requirements.

Results that can be shown on the basis of the simulation reduce the risk of transport damage and minimize costs associated with damage. Through simulation, we make the environment calculable for you.

Selection of test standards:

• DIN EN ISO 13355

The purpose of performing shock loads and, thus, mechanical shock tests is to test conditions on objects that may occur during transport or subsequent use of the objects. Mechanical shock stresses occur at nearly every stage of the product life cycle and can cause a product to fail. The focus of the test is on a possible deterioration of the test object properties, on the evaluation of the constructive design or the dynamic behavior.

The loads are generally selected to be higher than in vibration testing, but of very short duration and frequency. By means of an integrated shock amplifier, an acceleration of 0-50.00g is possible.

Selection of accredited standards:

• MIL-STD-883K
• JESD22-B104C
• IEC 60068-2- 27
• ISO 2248

Lighting products must meet a wide range of photometric requirements to ensure appropriate light quality. That is why we offer a wide range of photometric tests for light sources of all kinds. This can be used to check compliance with regulations or ensure aspects of energy efficiency.

Integrating sphere

Our various integrating spheres offer you the possibility to measure light sources of different types for luminous flux, spectral radiant flux, standard colour values as well as colour rendering. Light sources can be set up inside the sphere (4π - geometry) as well as from the outside (2π - geometry). For traditional halogen and innovative LED light sources, especially from the automotive sector, extensive special mounts are available. With temperature stabilized test sockets defined operating conditions can be realized. Our spheres are traceable to Dakks calibrated standards and thus offer high quality measurement results for our customers.

Lighting products must meet a wide range of photometric requirements to ensure appropriate light quality. That is why we offer a wide range of photometric tests for light sources of all kinds. This can be used to check compliance with regulations or ensure aspects of energy efficiency.

Goniometer

We offer you a wide range of goniometer types to measure luminous intensity distributions, colour coordinates dependent on the beam angle or spectral distributions. We evaluate light sources, LED modules or even automotive headlights. Compact near-field goniometers offer the possibility to measure ray data for reflector and optics design. Our goniometers are traceable to calibrated standards, providing high quality measurement results for you, the customer.

Selection of test standards:

• ECE
• SAE
• CCC

Lighting products must meet a wide range of photometric requirements to ensure appropriate light quality. That's why we offer a wide range of photometric tests for light sources of all kinds. This can be used to check compliance with regulations or to ensure aspects of energy efficiency.

Luminance measurement camera

Using a wide range of lenses, our colorimetric camera systems enable spatially resolved luminance and chromaticity measurements of light sources or luminaires of various sizes.

Like all our measurement systems, our luminance cameras are subject to test equipment monitoring and are traceable to calibrated standards.

Photobiological evaluation

With the help of versatile spectrometers we can perform radiometric evaluations of light sources and headlamps according to ECE regulations (k₁, k₂, k_uv, k_red) as well as a classification according to IEC 62471 - photobiological evaluation of lamps and lamp systems.

Irradiance or radiance measurements in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared range provide them with information about the spectral composition of their light or radiation sources. The determination of reflectance or transmittance properties of different materials (e.g. lamp bulbs, headlamp lenses, reflectors, ...) complete our portfolio.

Through active cooperation and development of internationally recognized norms, standards and other committees, we can provide you with expert advice and plan the optimal measurement together with you.

Test standards:

• ECE R37, 99, 128
• IEC 62471

A coordinate measurement is the acquisition of spatial coordinates of points on a workpiece surface. The measuring points are further processed and the values of the selected, assigned, geometric quantity are calculated.

Our Zeiss Contura is a coordinate measuring machine of the gantry type and has two optical sensors in addition to a tactile sensor. When measuring a wide variety of products, for example, the actual values of inspection characteristics such as distances, diameters or defined heights are compared with specified customer requirements as well as specified standards. These measurements are used to ensure the accuracy of fit of products. In addition to the flexible scanning of individual points, the non-contact acquisition of several thousand measuring points is also possible. Depending on the sensor and the measurement job, the measurement uncertainty is around 1-2μm. Furthermore, product-specific measurement programs can be created and evaluated for our customers.

Within the scope of the inspection equipment monitoring, a periodic DAkks calibration of the coordinate measuring machine takes place. Through the additional daily measurement of connection standards, we ensure the stability of our measuring systems and thus offer precise geometric measurement results for you as a customer.

In our physical analysis laboratories, we use our many years of experience in test planning, product development and product validation to reveal the differences of DUTs before and after tests or incidents.

Appropriate techniques such as microscopy ,microsection analysis and X-ray etc. are applied to understand and document the condition of DUTs in an all-inclusive manner.

We offer advanced services in:

• Reconstruction and clarification of damage and complaint cases
• Development projects up to release testing
• Support of technical marketing and benchmarking
• Damage analysis in the manufacturing process
• Consulting and evaluation services
• Regulatory support
• Support with standardization and legislation
• Environmental consulting

Through modern microscope equipment, it is possible to detect and document even the smallest changes in the objects to be tested. The photo option helps the client to form their own picture of the result and serves as a supplement to the created test protocol.

Our digital microscopes with 3D option and 3D laser confocal technology allow, in addition to the detailed examination of test items and components, the determination of surface roughness and the measurement of profile contours down to the deep µm range.

Our services:

• Visual inspection of test items
• Microscopic documentation and analysis of abnormalities up to 1µm
• Images with high depth of field as well as depth profile analysis
• Real-time depth composition
• Accurate 3D and 2D measurement < 1µm
• Any area of a measured object can be precisely quantified
• Analysis of solder joints
• Surface roughness according to ISO

3D laser microscope

With our modern instruments, surface roughness according to ISO 25178 and line roughness according to ISO 4287 can be measured without contact.

Due to the high resolving power, very fine surface contours are detected that are not detectable with a probe tip.

As the most important tool in quality assurance, microsection analysis allows an evaluation of soldering and joining parameters already in the product development process and is, thus, suitable for the optimization of process parameters. In addition to determining layer structures from the bonding or coating process, a cross-section enables the detection of the formation of intermetallic phases in the soldering process.

In mechanical joining processes such as press-fitting, riveting or hot caulking, cross sections can be used to check geometry specifications as well as the position and connection of the components involved.

In the field of failure analysis, cross-section analysis is also a valuable tool for identifying defective, "cold" solder joints, insufficient solder wetting or solder penetration. Material stress or pre-damage such as over-expansion, formation of grain boundaries and embrittlement can be agnosized by means of metallographic microsection analysis in combination with contrast-enhancing etching.