One of the lesser-known activities of Catas – the leading European laboratory for tests in the wood-furniture sector – is undoubtedly the complete catalog of machines and equipment that companies can buy to test “continuously” their products.
It is obviously essential that a new chair or a mattress shall be properly tested by Catas in its laboratories, but in many situations, the same manufacturers may greatly benefit to have internally test and measurement tools with which to verify at any time the quality or the performance of their production, of a prototype, of a new concept, …
Catas Engineering, the section of the Italian laboratory to which this activity is delegated, stands alongside the companies to create real “test laboratories” in the production sites with which to perform, for example, “pre-tests” on every component or finished product the design department can imagine, in a short time and with absolutely reliable results.
“More and more companies decide not to limit themselves to “official” tests and decide to internally have measurement tools that actually become an integral part of the production system”, Franco Bulian, the Catas Managing Director, remarks: “Very often they start with one equipment, and then expand this department according to new needs. A chair manufacturer operating in the European market could decide to invest in the equipment necessary for the fatigue test on the seat and back according to EN 1728, but if he decided to export also to the United States, the reference standards would be different and so he would have the option to install a machine that also performs static load tests according to the ANSI / BIFMA X5.1 standard”.
Setting up a test laboratory requires only a small space with an internal climate possibly not subject to sudden changes in temperature and humidity, electricity, compressed air and a dedicated technician. Catas Engineering takes care of the rest, installing machines identical to those present in its accredited laboratories in Lissone (Monza Brianza) and San Giovanni al Natisone (Udine).
“We are talking about a choice that allows companies to tackle delicate issues with greater competence and preparation – Bulian adds – thanks to safe technologies, which we have been supplying to companies and laboratories all over the world for many years and that our technicians will be able to update according to the standards evolution, providing for the maintenance and the periodical training of the personnel who use them, also checking the calibration status”.
Finally, we can also mention the positive impact that such an activity would have on customers, who would face with a practical demonstration of how a manufacturer takes into high account the “measurable” quality.
