Product qualification testing or certification testing can be a stressful time for product development teams. Everything you and your team have done up to this point comes down to whether your prototype passes or fails.
Failing qualification testing is a trying time for any product development team. You have to go back to the drawing board which can substantially delay the project. Team members may look to place blame in each other causing conflict. Budgets can also be stretched thin due to unforeseen testing costs. Failing product qualification testing can be one of the greatest expenses and emotionally straining experiences in a product development cycle.
Avoid Failing Product Qualification Testing
Fortunately, today we have finite element analysis (FEA) software that allows trained engineers to analyze a product prior to testing. FEA simulates qualification testing with the use of boundary conditions. With an FEA model generated, an engineer can quickly set up a variety of boundary conditions in order to analyze different test requirements.
With the model and boundary conditions defined the simulation is run and the solution is obtained. The analysis results are then used to identify issues with the design and guide revisions. After the design is revised the model is updated and rerun to determine if the revised design passes all qualification requirements. This iterative process continues until the design meets with all test requirements.
Don’t Settle For Passing
Once is model generated, engineers can use it to quickly iterate and analyze designs. This allows engineers to not just ensure that a design meets with requirements but to also optimize it. Design optimization with FEA can reduce product cost, weight, and improve performance.
Don’t Wait Till After Failing Qualification Testing
One unfortunate trend we have found at ASR is that many wait until after a product fails qualification testing to have their design analyzed. While FEA can help identify why a product didn’t pass qualification testing, it is more efficient to use it as a preventative tool. Every time you need to submit your product to qualification testing you need to manufacture a new high cost test prototype, hire out testing, and delay your timeline. All of this adds substantial cost and pressure to a product development cycle.
When you add FEA to your product development cycle prior to qualification testing you can better control costs and ensure that development stays on track.
Find Out What Went Wrong
If you have failed qualification testing, FEA can determine what went wrong and help guide a design solution. Through the use of FEA you can also look for any other potential failure points outside of what may have occurred during testing. This helps prevent design flaws from derailing development in the future.
Types of Qualification Tests
- Vibration & Shaker Table Testing
- Drop Test
- Pressure Test
- Proof Testing
- Burst Testing
- Endurance & Durability Cycle Test
- Thermal Cycling
- Thermal Shock Cycling
- Mechanical Cycling
- Pressure Cycling
- Vacuum Cycling
- Slosh Testing
- High Cycle Fatigue Testing
Pass Qualification Testing
ASR is a mechanical engineering firm that specializes in advanced design and analysis. If you have a product that needs to pass qualification testing then contact us today to speak to one of our experienced engineers or for a free quote.