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Fault detectives for the automotive industry

Taunusstein, 31 January 2004

With the complex manufacturing processes that are used in the automotive industry, product faults can cause high costs and, in some cases, even endanger human health. So that things do not get to this stage, developers are required to have a high level of analytical expertise as well as knowledge of material science.

With the complex manufacturing processes that are used in the automotive industry product faults can cause high costs and, in some cases, even endanger human health. So that things do not get to this stage, developers are required to have a high level of analytical expertise as well as knowledge of material science. Modern composites which are not welded but bonded are particularly demanding in the development and production processes. In difficult cases, all German car manufacturers also request the advice of SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS. The scientists there are very experienced in the areas of surface properties and coatings. Because of their cross-disciplinary experience they can also help find the cause of damage. This is why not just car manufacturers but also large German insurance companies are good customers of the laboratory.

"Only a few people know that SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS tests more than just food such as Nutella and mineral waters. We work for all the German car manufacturers in the field of material testing and thus contribute to improved product quality," says Dr Wolfgang Gloede, Head of the Automotive Competence Center at SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS. "Our success is based on the cross-disciplinary alignment of our experts. In view of the economic pressure, more and more companies are outsourcing the routine control of their materials and damage analysis. By outsourcing they get our highly specialised expertise which they would only be able to maintain with disproportionately high costs. Our services can involve something which seems quite banal, such as testing screws. But if the screw holds together a very important component, small parts can also cause a lot of damage," the expert knows. The laboratory is also fighting the new car smell. For example, Mercedes-Benz has all interior parts that are installed in its cars tested for emissions by SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS. "In the old days the new car smell could be quite overpowering. But with our emission checks we ensure that no hazardous gassing occurs in the cars. This is especially important to Daimler-Benz, as these vehicles are often both workplace and means of transport," says Dr Gloede.

SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS GmbH is Germany's market and competency leader for non-medical laboratory analysis and associated consulting services. With around 550 employees at several locations in Germany, the company ensures the product quality of many top international customers such as Daimler Benz, Ford, BMW, Infineon, Ferrero, McDonalds and Schering. In the field of supply and disposal the company is one of the leading partners of the government and engineering companies.

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SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS GmbH, Im Maisel 14, 65232 Taunusstein, Germany

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