"Reliability is important"

Aspect Quality GmbH appreciates the scope of performance and user-friendliness of the S!MPATI software from Weiss Technik, especially given the numerous testing standards that must be met during analyses. The installation of updates also runs smoothly and promptly, confirms the testing laboratory from Reutlingen.

Heiko Walter, Managing Director of the testing laboratory for environmental simulation Aspect Quality GmbH from Reutlingen, has been working with testing equipment from Weiss Technik and the associated software S!MPATI for 18 years.

The renowned laboratory for environmental simulation tests, Aspect Quality GmbH from Reutlingen, provides insight into its daily testing routine. Heiko Walter, one of the two managing directors, explains how the testing systems and SIMPATI software from Weiss Technik contribute to the company's success.

"Fast, flexible, and with a penchant for unconventional approaches," is how Aspect Quality GmbH can be described. The Swabian testing laboratory, founded in 2006, tests products from the automotive, aerospace, solar, and high-tech industries, as well as from medical technology. These include body components, cables, wires, e-mobility parts, or even exotic items such as alternative packaging for frozen instant coffee. With a broad range of services, including climate, temperature, and corrosion testing, as well as sun simulation and salt spray tests, the testing company primarily sees itself as a development partner.

Precise control, simple operation

Among the more than 25 testing systems and a walk-in climate chamber from the Reutlingen-based equipment manufacturer Weiss Technik, the testing laboratory also uses the associated software "S!MPATI". Aspect Quality's managing director Heiko Walter states: "With S!MPATI 4.70, recording and evaluating the test chambers have improved significantly, making our work easier." He also emphasizes that the analysis process has become simpler with the use of the program.

Heiko Walter gives a consistently positive assessment of the software: "The systems are complex. S!MPATI is perfectly tailored to them and user-friendly in terms of functionality." The software also runs absolutely reliably, confirms the managing director. "Even when we use the program extensively due to the many standards covered by our tests. If an error occurs, we receive an immediate warning," he explains. "This way, the systems are monitored very well." He adds: "Setting initial and final conditions for a temperature shock test can only be done with S!MPATI."

Fast updates, new possibilities

"Software updates are quick," confirms Heiko Walter. Of course, they try to choose a time when the test chambers are less busy, the managing director emphasizes. And he reveals: "Here at the Reutlingen site, we have virtualized all monitoring computers, so there are no physical computers anymore. When we set up a new virtual machine, we install the update, all features, and then connect it to the chambers — so to speak, an update in a flying change from one version to another."

With the new update S!MPATI 4.80, additional functions are available, explains laboratory manager Heiko Walter, and clarifies: "The version allows us, for example, to overlay recordings from different times. This makes it possible to compare current tests with past ones, such as during requalification." This helps to determine whether the behavior of the chambers has changed. According to Heiko Walter, this improves the monitoring and reliability of the testing processes.

Maximum performance, interesting fields

The testing systems from Weiss Technik also impress. "What particularly stands out about the walk-in test chambers is the extremely high temperature range from minus 70 to plus 180 degrees Celsius," says Heiko Walter, adding: "Not every climate chamber can cover such a temperature span." Not only that, as the laboratory owner emphasizes: "With Weiss Technik's climate chamber, we can even load large, heavy items, and it works great thanks to the undercarriage."

Among the testing devices, there are also favorites of the managing director, such as the chamber with simulated sunlight, "because it's an extremely exciting topic," explains Heiko Walter. Or the corrosion test chamber, "because that's where the most happens," he continues, specifying: "If you want to test the corrosion resistance of a product, you put it in the chamber and may only find a pile of rust afterward. This application is very interesting."

18 years of Weiss Technik in use for successful climate testing

Since 2007, Aspect Quality GmbH has relied on products from the Hessian manufacturer. Back then, Heiko Walter and his business partner Markus Theurer decided on Weiss Technik. The company also sees itself as well-positioned for the future with Weiss Technik. The collaboration is really good, emphasizes the managing director, highlighting the intensive exchange at a high level with Weiss Technik specialists. "From them," confirms Heiko Walter, "I also receive important information regarding the continuation and future of our company. I want to know where the technologies are heading, such as the topic of refrigerant phase-out to CO2. Weiss Technik provides me with clear technical statements, not just standard sales talk."