Step 2. Assessment of the vulnerability of a product

Product vulnerability provides an objective yardstick for determining to what extent a product is capable of withstanding external influences. The less vulnerable a product is, the better it will be able to withstand the impact of use and transport. Sebert can assess the product vulnerability of a large number of impact factors such as: vibrations, shocks, acceleration, humidity, temperature, altitude, etc. The test can be carried out individually or in combination with others. For example, a climate test can be combined with a mechanical test. Our tests can determine weaknesses in areas where small changes result in huge performance improvements.

Test product and materials

Because the reliability of the products is becoming increasingly important for manufacturers, this also applies to testing. By using environmental and sustainability tests, suppliers can identify defects early during the design phase and thus minimize the risks and costs. Determination of product fragility can damage a single component. Adaptation of the product often already significantly improves the overall fragility, but can also be very costly at the same time because production has already started. In case of integration of the transport requirements in the design phase of the product, the chance of damage is nil. With a good design - which is not more expensive than a bad one - many products can be packaged without cushioning material.

ROSE: Robustness Specification for Environmental Tests

Determining the quality/reliability of the product is an essential step in product development and analysis. Sebert uses the revolutionary ROSE test method. ROSE has been developed by H. Roossien and M. Magendans.

Many test results, inspired by the classical quality approaches (Talor, etc.), are based on the achievement or failure to achieve a certain level. Modern quality/reliability approaches, however, require a new assessment of the definition of quality. Instead of "good output", it shifts to "suitability for use" and value for money. Again the question arises: how good are we? This is not answered with the test-to-fail approach, but more through understanding. Changes in pulse forms and rising temperatures achieve more than just insight for the tests. The test is a means, not a goal; the goal is to understand the product and the sensitivity to the environment. ROSE is a test philosophy based on existing tests and the test-to-failure approach. In terms of reporting, quality/reliability levels are clearly presented, structured and understandable via graphs on one overview page, in which the general quality/reliability level can be quantified. By means of information reduction and a standard approach, ROSE can be very useful to facilitate communication between the sales & marketing and design departments.