Better products and improved performance
The new market segment strategy and in-house testing is changing the way Danfoss approaches product development. Now, each product is put through rigorous, application-based in-house testing before going to market. This not only improves product quality, it also gives Danfoss a thorough understanding of all kinds of customer applications. For customers, improved product quality means improved application performance. What’s more, Danfoss can transfer the benefits one product brings to a specific application to other applications in its respective market segment. One of the first segments to see results is heating, which is busy implementing the new process and testing new technologies.
To accelerate the product development process, Market Segment Manager for Heating Processes, Dirk Köster, is applying the Real Application Test (RAT) to heating products. “With RAT, we can operate and test almost all of our new products at Danfoss’ R&D centre in the way our customers will really use them. This means we can push every valve to its limit, and then make changes based on the results. And we can test for potential weaknesses in the design, and for corrosion,” explains Dirk.
One heating customer already seeing results from the new process is Swedish-based leading manufacturer for autoclave systems. Used in hospitals and clinics to sterilise and decontaminate equipment and materials, an autoclave relies on precision monitoring equipment to ensure the correct temperatures are maintained. “For this manufacturer, the RAT process means R&D can harmonise product development to meet autoclave application parameters,” adds Dirk. “And because we can do this in house, we can launch and control individual tests during the project phase, as well as under real operating conditions.” For the manufacturer, RAT has led to improvements in the mechanical fit, functional parameters and ambient conditions, including temperature and electromagnetic protection.
For Danfoss, in-house testing is improving product performance from application to application, and across all heating media. And with expert knowledge of your application, Danfoss can identify ways to optimise new products, enhance existing products and help you identify new products for your equipment.