Test by test to perfection
A look inside the laboratories
Ever since Geberit was founded, high product quality has been of prime importance – and is ensured through comprehensive tests during development. An insight into the varied testing repertoire of the Technology and Innovation department.
A finger that points to quality
Regular friction can lead to surface wear. At the Materials Laboratory at Geberit headquarters in Rapperswil-Jona (CH), chemist Jasmin Krummenacher carries out an abrasion test to check the surface durability of an actuator plate: an artificial finger on the end of the red robot arm presses the buttons 20,000 times. Here, a standardised textile fingertip that is regularly impregnated with artificial sweat simulates the surface of the skin.
Always in motion – the WC lid
A light tap is all it takes for the WC lid with soft-closing mechanism to close smoothly. But what happens when the lid is forced down? According to the French standard, for example, the damper on a WC lid has to withstand at least 15,000 forced closures and 15,000 regular closures throughout its service life without sustaining damage. At the Sanitary Laboratory in Rapperswil-Jona, lab technician Edon Isufi monitors several test rigs where WC lids are continuously opened and closed.
A baptism of fire
Pipe openings in ceilings and walls are critical weak points in a building during a fire, with fire, smoke and heat then spreading to upper floors or other rooms. In order to delay this for as long as possible – or prevent it entirely – Geberit fire protection expert Stephanie Köble tests the fire resistance of the penetration seals on supply and discharge pipes and the GIS and Duofix installation systems. The tests are carried out in furnaces at external materials testing institutes at extreme temperatures of around 1,000 degrees Celsius.
Always the right packaging
The selection of the right packaging is decisive so that Geberit products can be moved from A to B without sustaining any damage. The basic principle is to use as much packaging material as needed, and as little as possible. As soon as suitable packaging has been developed for a product, packaging manager Konstanze Smith carries out a risk analysis. The goal is to identify potential risks that could damage the product during transportation. The most significant risks are minimised through targeted tests. This includes the drop test in Rapperswil-Jona, where the packaged products are dropped on their corners, edges and sides as part of a standardised process. The packaging has to withstand up to twelve drops and protect the product reliably.
Header image (©Nicole Maag)
