Environmental Simulation Testing - Why Do It ?

In my previous post, I stated that Environmental Simulation Testing of a product is ESSENTIAL  for a product to be tested in the factory before it even sees the light of day in the first customer's hands.

Environmental Simulation Testing. Why Do It ?

Well, let me give you a fictional (maybe real) story.. 

Nowadays its very common for practically 80% of people in Singapore to travel out of the country at least once a year for work or holidays, so the obvious travel companion they bring along apart from their passport, wallet, smartwatch is their smartphone. 

So lets say Mr. Tan Boon Yang and his wife embark to a Japan 8 days trip which includes Osaka Universal Studios, Tokyo Disneyland, the usual onsen with gorgeous views and of course Mount Fuji.

Lets say Boon Yang and wife depart during the December holidays without their grown up children. 

At the mid point, the highlight of the tour is the walk up to Mt Fuji's 5th station, and it is a must do and everybody wants to take their pictures for lifetime memories, and bragging rights of "been there done that" etc.

Its snowing, and the outside temperature is a chilly -10 C. No matter, they brought their winter coats, thermal underwear, extra thick socks, the works. There are so many Instagrammable moments up there and Mrs. Tan wants a 'wefie' with her beloved hubby. They ask one of their tourmates to take some with Mr. Tan's phone (no brand here for obvious reasons heehee)

The tourmate obliges and goes to 'Photo' mode, and 'hey !' the smartphone hangs. 

They cant get their once in a lifetime pix !! 

"Lousy XXXX" and the cusses all start coming out.

You can bet the next time, its time for a smartphone change, it would be THAT brand they consider to buy next. That above is the answer WHY. 

A product like a smartphone is not just to make and take calls, it is to make lifetime memories and feel good emotions. When the task is at hand, it must not let the boss (or the owner) down. 

So, manufacturers, PLEASE test your products in the factory Beyond the normal day to day temperature and humidity conditions. For customers who live in tropics and near temperate climates, the manufacturer MUST test the following SIMULATION conditions below :

Tropic Based Clients 

Temp : - 20 C to + 60 C

RH     : 20 to 95% RH

Why ? Like I elaborated above, the tropical customers DO from time to time, travel to places of interest which have extremes in temperature as well as some humid conditions.

So -20 C could be for some places like top of mountains and 60 C could be like Middle East deserts (read World Cup 2022) or the Grand Canyon. (see pix below)

Temperate Based Clients 

Temp : - 60 to + 60 C 

RH    :  20 to 95% RH

Many countries which have 4 seasons, like US, Canada, most of Northern Europe, Russia and North China have harsh winters so the phones MUST be tested for those conditions - its not an option but a mandatory test.

So after establishing the WHY do the Environmental Testing, I will embark on another post as to the Key Parameters to set when doing Environmental Testing.

Seize the Day my friends.