Analysis
Services
We work with you to define the problem, then
generate the most appropriate and useful physical
data from the samples you submit to the lab in
order to provide you with a quality solution. Our
Rockford IL facility holds state of the art laboratory
investigative tools, supported by complementary
capabilities in a network of over 100 Exova
laboratories worldwide.
Exova’s services include:
Teardowns:
Teardown and analysis of electronics and
mechanical switches can provide useful information
at several different levels of the product design and
manufacturing lifecycle. In this discussion, failure
analysis usually comes to mind first. Teardown
and analysis of a failed product that has been
returned from the field will always be a core activity.
Assessment of the failure mode, and identification
of design weakness or product abuse are activities
that always draw much attention. Much of teardown
efforts are directed to these ends. There are two
other points in the product lifecycle in which
‘teardowns’ yield beneficial information. The first
of these is periodic end of line or internal test
teardowns. Teardowns of ‘end of line’ product can
be very useful in providing information on current
levels of manufacturing quality, or the relative
success of any recent process or material changes.
Teardown of product which has been through
extensive life cycle testing is extremely valuable
as well. Such analysis will reveal weaknesses in
the product even when the product successfully
completes the testing. A teardown at this point
is an excellent tool to assess the robustness of
the product. Another instance where product
teardown is beneficial is for competitive analysis.
These analyses yield both design and marketing
value. The knowledge of materials used along with
identified assembly processes can yield valuable
competitive benchmarking data.
Electronic Materials:
Printed circuits, surface mount or through-hole
technology, materials, processes, and failure
analysis