Tips for choosing a test lab
Thomas Rinke, Vehicle Research and Development -- Test & Measurement World, 2/1/2006
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| Over 45 kW of heat penetrate down on the top of a vehicle during an infrared heating test within a drive test chamber. |
One of the best resources when searching for a suitable testing service provider are your own customers, who most likely have a list of preferred vendors who specialize in testing in your market segment. Ask them for the most responsive testing providers they have encountered in recent years. You should also seek referrals from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other tier suppliers. Manufacturers often use a third-party test provider to conduct their validation testing.
Find out how responsive the provider is to customer inquiries. Ask for references and follow through on contacting them.
ServiceDoes the testing provider offer the range of services you need? Depending on your project timing, you may need a provider who offers round-the-clock testing services. Ask if the provider offers continuous testing throughout all 24 hours of the day, including weekends and holidays. Also, ask if the lab is staffed at all times of the day or if it is automated to conduct the tests.
Consider the final results of the lab or test procedures. Will you receive a summary of the findings? Is raw data available? Can you obtain electronic and hard-copy results for your test? Will the findings summarize the results with easy-to-read graphics?
EquipmentHaving the proper test equipment in place is a hallmark of a quality testing provider. Be sure to go on a tour of the testing facilities. Inspect the equipment and general presentation of the facility. Is the environment clean? Do you sense that safety is important at the facility? Ask how the test is set up with the equipment for all nonstandard tests.
Allow the testing provider ample time to configure the proper equipment to conduct your tests. Most test providers specialize in particular types of procedures. If you are looking to run transmission tests, for instance, be sure the facility you are evaluating is equipped to handle such tests. Often, test providers can refer or subcontract clients to other providers who specialize in a particular type of test or laboratory service.
FacilitiesDuring that critical facility tour, find out where customer material is stored. Does the staff ensure confidentiality for customer material and prototype components? Is there ample warehousing space for extra storage requirements? Will your material remain on site at the company's lab, or will it be sent out to a secondary shop? Does the facility have security measures that satisfy your requirements?
Quality accreditationMake sure that the testing provider has been accredited to offer testing services. For standard and nonstandard testing, there are various testing accreditation bodies and consortiums who verify that certain quality issues are addressed by the provider.
ISO/IEC is acknowledged as an international benchmark for approving the competence of the testing and calibration laboratories that play a role in trade, in product development and manufacturing, and in protection of the consumer. Make sure your testing service provider is accredited to the latest edition of any relevant ISO/IEC standards. Nonprofit, public agencies such as the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) offer proficiency testing certification. A2LA is dedicated to the recognition of competent testing and calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers, and reference material producers.
PersonnelWhen interviewing providers, ask to meet the customer service personnel, the test technicians, and the project manager in charge. Is an engineer on staff to assist in configuration and setup of all tests? All of these individuals should be available to you when evaluating a test service provider. Just like the equipment and the facilities, the personnel are a key component to finding a quality provider.
Final questionsBe sure to ask any other questions that come to mind to ensure the test service provider can handle your project. How long has the testing facility been in business? Is the testing service able to accept new clients? Can the firm handle a large client request? How much notice is needed to begin testing?
Because it is their business to conduct tests for customers, independent test laboratories have made substantial investments in the required equipment and expertise. Finding the right test laboratory for nearly any kind of test, including electrical, mechanical, environmental, powertrain, and physical tests, can be a rewarding experience if you do a little homework before signing a contract.
| Author Information |
| Thomas Rinke is the general manager of Vehicle Research and Development in Almont, MI. He holds a BSME from the University of Michigan. trinke@vrdtest.com. |
