Digitalization of testing processes is a continuing trend within the automotive industry, presenting engineers with more efficient and faster means of working. With this in mind, the Kunststoff-Institut (Plastics Institute) Lüdenscheid (KIMW) in Lüdenscheid, Germany, has spent the last 18 months developing a concept to digitally translate automobile manufacturers’ standards and integrate them into an online offer configurator, with assistance from digitization startup FoxBase.
The institute states that this means it is now able to provide digitized test standards and delivery regulations from various automotive OEMs using its in-house developed solution. Instead of having to carry out the test planning for new parts manually again and again, then sometimes waiting several days for an offer from accredited laboratories, customers of the Plastics Institute can now query offers themselves at any time, simply by answering a few questions, then receive a statement on the estimated processing time. Individual adjustments and the creation of a formal offer as a PDF can also be completed.
KIMW states that there are currently 21 frequently requested specifications and the new DIN SPEC 91446 for the classification of plastic recyclates to choose from. The database is being continuously optimized and further expanded and KIMW says that it welcomes feedback and suggestions for further improvement.
