Our technical laboratory
How we ensure high quality product performance
Maximum reliability, minimum fuss
At Fixfast, we take product performance seriously.
Our Technical Laboratory is kitted out with a wide range of testing equipment and managed by industry experts to ensure accurate and reliable results, every time.
Our process-led approach means that we can verify a product’s quality at every stage of manufacture.
We understand the complexity of the building envelope, so we use management processes to ensure that every product we sell is right for the application required.
Dimensional verification
We carry out in-process quality control checks throughout the manufacturing process to ensure compliance to our factory production control.
We deploy the latest manufacturing methodologies such as process capability and statistical process control to assure quality throughout the process. We also use statistical process control to set upper and lower limits to act as a trigger point.
Additionally, we use a visual quality inspection to further manage the verification process.
We have a strong engineering team who use the latest technology to design quality products.
During the design process, effort is put into identifying and understanding potential failure modes in the design and manufacturing process. Wherever possible, these are designed out. Where this is not feasible it is reflected in the inspection test plans to ensure the product you receive is right the first time.
All of this is part of our commitment to providing maximum reliability for you: our customers.
Function & performance testing
We use a wide range of testing procedures within our laboratory to check for product function and performance.
The process begins at the raw material stage, even before we have begun manufacturing. The tensile test checks the strength of the metal. If it is too weak, we eliminate the raw material from our manufacturing process, as it will never be able to provide the required performance.
Our other tests are carried out throughout the manufacturing process, right up until we have a finished product. Mechanical performance is verified by pull over, pull out, and shear testing.
We measure corrosion resistance with salt spray and Kesternich test methods, whilst the effectiveness of the drill point and thread engagement is tested in application by measuring the drilling torque and the time to drill.
Once the fastener has been manufactured, we verify the properties of the individual fastener by checking the driving torque, carefully measuring the amount of force to drill and thread the fastener.
If you need any further insight, we can provide this information to you.
Application testing
As per the guidance from the Metal Cladding and Roofing Manufacturers Association (MCRMA), we carry out specific application testing to verify product performance in real life applications.
We can carry out customer specific panel testing to your specifications, if required.