Standard fulfilment of the different materials that forms the furniture or semi-finished product: paints, varnishes, laminates, wood based panels, fittings, metallic structures, etc. and the analysis of defects for a total quality control. Intercomparison of semi-finished products, materials and their applications to the finished product.
Materials and semi-finished products certification.
Analysis of defects and technical advice. Materials characterization.
Research projects in order to develop materials and new applications.
The overall objectives of this project were:
- To provide a rapid, low cost, one-stop shop assessment of comfort for the SME furniture manufacturer, to aid them in the design and manufacture of furniture with added value, to help meet the consumers requirements.
- To provide a means, for the first time, of evaluating the comfort properties of finished chairs in a range of forms, such as high-backed medical chairs and office chairs, in the laboratory and so enable design features such as seat height and back height to be optimised in a cost-effective and speedy manner.
- To provide industry with a valuable tool for the measurement of comfort; which will ensure its survival and growth, and address the threats that exist from outside Europe.
- To help address the problems of the ageing population, and in particular, the associated health issues.
- To enable furniture manufacturers and suppliers to offer differentiated products with appropriate service performance and high levels of customer acceptance.
The objective of the project was to improve established test methods and to develop previously not tested quality characteristics in the field of furniture surface testing. This contributed to the resistance against changing temperatures and changing climate as well as light resistance for prognosis of the long-term stability. Established non-unified test methods for the determination of mechanical wear properties for resistance to abrasion, scratching and impact showed clear weak points. The named test methods were also a component of the work items of the European standard committee for furniture surfaces CEN TC 207 and CEN TC 139 WG 7 and were supposed to support its work.
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