Certification, Testing & Review

TESTING

Testing is an essential part of the development of any new product, process, or system. The keys to a successful test program are effective planning including a detailed review of the test goals, certification requirements, statistical details, required accuracy, and test environment, and a scientific and systematic approach. Typical goals of any experimental test program may include:

· PROOFING Test performance and fitness of purpose
· DURABILITY Ensure longevity of the product or process
· SAFETY Test adequate safety margins built into the design
· ERGONOMICS Test how humans interact with the product
· CLEANLINESS Test impact on environment and level of sustainability

Some physical examples of testing with which e3k has had experience include:

· Motion (displacement, speed, acceleration)
· Energy (force, power, torque)
· Stress and Strain (Strain Gauging)
· Process Measurement (Temperature, Pressure, Flow Rate)
· Vibration and Noise
· Gas Analysis
· Material Testing (Metallurgical and Microscopic)
· Leakage Pathways (dye penetration, moisture detection)

Generally at the completion of any testing, a detailed report is presented including a documented record of methodology, apparatus used, analysis assumptions and test environment.

Previously e3k has been audited for quality by Wyle Laboratories, North Carolina US for strain gauging work.

CERTIFICATION OR "SIGN-OFF"

Often associated with testing is the need for a formalised methodology to ensure conformance with Standards or other requirements. Government, the manufacturer, the designer, investors, the customer, or even society in general can impose such standards.

e3k can provide independent and professional written certification to any standards including to regulatory, and customer focussed requirements. Final documentation can take the form of a detailed written report or simply a single-page certificate.

Dr Duncan Gilmore is a Registered Professional Engineers of Queensland, and is listed on the Australian National Professional Engineers Register (NPER3).

INDEPENDENT PRODUCT REVIEW

A thorough and independent technical review or audit is key to the risk assessment of any new product or process. Typical questions that often arise include:

Will it work?
Can we predict its performance?
How will we build it?
Will it be safe?
How much energy will it use?
Will it be safe and easy to use?

e3k can provide an independent third-party opinion and technology review of any new product, process or system including feasibility assessment, discussion of potential technical impediments, market potential, manufacturability, and safety.

In undertaking such reviews engineering analysis tools such as computer simulation, 3D CAD modelling, and brainstorming, are often used.