Product Testing

Testing of molded parts and full assemblies is essential to verify product performance. This testing requires a substantial investment of both time and money, so it is important it is performed correctly. Developing and performing custom test methods that are suitable for a unique product design and application requires the collaboration of engineering teams experienced in these methods. The engineers at The Madison Group apply their material and testing expertise into every product testing program. In this manner, we establish the best approach to evaluate molded parts and assemblies to confirm their performance.

If molded parts are tested in their optimal condition, test results may give a false sense of confidence that the design will meet its requirements over the lifetime of the product and could lead to unexpected failures in the field. The Madison Group understands how to properly condition parts before testing so that they better reflect their state in the application over the product’s lifetime.

We have developed reliable ways that testing can be accelerated. Due to the nature of accelerated testing, it is more susceptible to convolution. It is important to deconvolute the performance of improperly molded parts or inappropriate testing conditions during product testing so as not to extend the product development timeline and delay the launch of the product to market due to premature failures.

The Madison Group can help you achieve success in your product launch by supporting your team before, during and after production.

Examples of test methods and capabilities that The Madison Group can offer to support your product testing goals:

• Test plan design – The creation of an appropriate test plan to adequately verify product performance that correlates with requirements of your part.
• Test method development – The development of test methods that are reliable and repeatable to obtain accurate information regarding the performance of parts under application-like situations.
• Proof load testing – The mechanical evaluation of parts or assemblies under load to determine their performance.
• Performance assessment – The physical evaluation of parts or assemblies following a variety of environmental exposure conditions including, chemical, ultraviolet (UV) light, and heat aging, to name a few.
• Dimensional Analysis and X-ray Computed tomography (CT) scanning – Multiple test methods can be applied to evaluate part quality through a review of part dimensions, assembly fit, shrinkage and warpage, void and porosity, quality of welds, of seals and assembly joints.

Using our vast experience in processing, testing, mechanical behavior, and failure analysis of plastics, The Madison Group can develop a product test method that best addresses the concerns for your part in its application.

A significant step in any product design validation process is the testing of physical prototypes. Important information can be gained about the influence of the material, part design, and manufacturing on the end product.

The Madison Group can assist customers in the design and custom testing of manufactured parts to help determine:

• Expected mode of failure
• Maximum load to break
• Strain to break
• Chemical compatibility
• Mechanical response to physical aging, UV, and thermal stressors

A critical aspect of any production part is how well it meets its established quality requirements. Typically, custom test methods may need to be developed to evaluate the quality of specific part geometries and assemblies. Our team of engineers is capable of helping you through the development and execution of recommended test methods to verify quality of manufacturing and production.

We have helped many clients develop product test methods that have led to identifying serious issues before these resulted in catastrophic failures:

• Testing for degradation of parts due to poor processing.
• Analysis of parts for voids and porosity affecting the structural integrity of high stress regions.
• Qualitative examination of birefringence patterns.
• Dimensional analysis confirming warped parts not manufactured to print leading to elevated assembly stresses and a potential for creep fracture.
• Analysis of seal quality for the identification of potential leak paths in an assembly.

Many times, it is necessary to develop non-destructive methods of evaluation for defects and imperfections. Over the years we have explored and applied many testing techniques to resolve unique problems through the use of non-destructive procedures. Many of these techniques are also commonly applied in failure analyses investigations where the preservation of evidence is crucial to an investigation.