There are a number of reasons why companies might choose to outsource their testing. Taran Dhami discusses why companies may choose this, highlights a range of benefits that come from using an independent testing laboratory and answers some other frequently asked questions about using an independent testing lab. Take a look.
Why Do Companies Outsource Their Testing?
Verification testing is required to ensure that manufactured goods or products meet certain criteria, such as customer, British or International standards. This testing will confirm the manufactured parts conform to, or fail to meet, those standards. A company will outsource their testing if they cannot test their own product themselves, if their in-house testing capacity is full, or when impartial, independent advice is required.
This impartial test requirement may follow a test already completed internally by the manufacturer or the producer as part of their R&D, to establish the best parameters for their product’s strength, durability, quality, and function. They need to ensure the way they design and manufacture the product suits functionality and conforms to safety/quality standards. Their in-house technicians may not have the specialist knowledge, dedicated equipment, or ability to undertake the stringent, comprehensive testing requirements offered by a UKAS accredited lab.
We have encountered situations when products have passed internal testing but failed when examined against the environmental test parameters needed to ensure the quality of product in the field. This allows the customer to modify the product, manufacturing process or procedures to ensure the goods are fit for purpose and free from threat of legal actions or costly in-service failures.
Testing with loads from 1KN up to 1.6MN, at elevated temperatures up 1400°C for coated specimens, in vacuum, pressured or corrosive atmospheres and controlled to complex test parameters, allows us to provide a bespoke, non-standard testing solution for our customers.
Outsourced testing may also be utilised when the customer’s testing frequency is not sufficient to invest in their own testing laboratory/facility, as we have often found.
Impartiality is of key importance. It's vital that decisions of conformance are based on objective criteria, rather than on any form of bias. We have no vested interest or commercial link to any products, manufacturer, or producer. Our engineers are testing to accepted parameters and a failure or pass is not based on commercial concerns. Our focus is on whether the product is up to required standard. We will not cut corners and therefore the Phoenix team can provide confidence through our neutrality.
Some companies test in-house before also potentially out-sourcing. This will depend on the cost and availability of testing apparatus for them. In-house testing is important, but manufacturers and producers must validate their findings via an independent test lab.
We have customers from all over the world due to our accreditations and flexibility. Outsourcing and independent testing are the best options to demonstrate impartial unbiased test results.
As a manufacturer or producer, if you only test internally, you will have bias regarding the product or manufactured goods. We can add an extra layer of testing confidence, to reduce internal pressures, whilst maintaining control. Without independent testing, there would be no evidence to show that this product works beyond the testing capabilities of the internal team and Lab.
This independent test profile is important for all products – commercial, consumer, national, international. The guidelines that you work to must be 100% credible. To build your reputation, you should use an independent test lab, who are certified by accredited bodies, such as UKAS. If you only use your own test team, that has far less integrity because the person doing the testing has a vested interest and as such it is less credible.
Also, within saturated markets, companies backed with accredited, impartial testing will stand out.
At Phoenix, we have a wide variety of accessories and we are constantly expanding our scope of testing. We are always willing to take the next step and develop accessories to be able to work with our customers to complete all the required tests.
We pride ourselves on our adaptability and will go the extra mile to have everything that a customer could possibly need to achieve their test including new flat grips, compression platens, and fixtures for Bolt testing.
Our engineers work with our customers to ensure test programmes are as close to service conditions as possible and are able to design and build fixtures to suit.
We have a greater range of machines than most test labs and operate on servo hydraulics.
With our flexibility, we can provide tests on the smallest of samples, such as biomedical syringe tests to large fastener, rail and construction samples requiring over 1MN of load. Our own bespoke software systems allow for extensive parameter controls typical of those needed in many thermo-mechanical fatigue applications.
Our servo hydraulic test machines can conduct compression and tension testing, bolt testing, including proof and wedge, pull and load bearing testing, as well as cyclic and fatigue testing.
We can create our own testing procedures for a customer’s specific or external standards due to our UKAS Flexible Scope. Some test houses will have similar Flexible Scope but will not be able to extend to the same parameters as Phoenix.
Our testing capability and flexibility is very important as we try to adapt to every customer requirement and support them the best we can.
There is a measured element of unpredictability to testing. Phoenix Test Lab engineers have found there are times when it is difficult to predict how a test will go. As such, it is better to out-source testing, where specialised accurate control of the test environment reduces the risk of any influence from variables and external factors on the test results.
The main difference is that we test our customer samples in our own laboratory and have all our machines and accessories in one place. Our machines are calibrated and accurate as we have our expert Service and Calibration engineers on site at Phoenix.
An independent test lab is one that can support testing for a customer, offer confidence and consolidate findings on behalf of a company without any bias or commercial interest.
The testing industry is constantly expanding and to thrive, we too must grow with it. We are constantly looking to expand our scope of operations and testing capability.
Developing relationships and understanding our customer’s needs and testing requirements allows us to support our partners and expand our own expertise in meeting the market demands.
Certifications
Rolls Royce Technical Approval for High Temperature and Environmental Testing
The Design, Manufacture, Commissioning, Maintenance and support of Materials Testing Machines. ISO 9001 - ISO 14001, Cert. No. 15997
