See How Industry Leaders Guarantee Performance with WBE.

WBE believes that achieving true product durability requires an integrated approach, which is reflected in how we design and deploy our reliability testing equipment. We understand that a product's failure in the real world is often the result of multiple, interacting stresses. That's why we focus not only on providing best-in-class individual machines but also on creating combined-stress testing environments. Our integrated solutions allow our customers to move beyond testing for one stress at a time and instead build a more holistic, realistic picture of their product's resilience. This philosophy, combined with our comprehensive portfolio and deep customization capabilities, allows us to function as a strategic partner. We provide the tools and expertise for our clients to build a complete and effective testing program, ensuring that every piece of WBE reliability testing equipment contributes to the ultimate goal: delivering the most durable and reliable product to the market.

The key difference between reliability testing and quality control (QC) lies in their focus and timeline. QC is typically a production-focused activity that asks, "Did we build the product correctly according to the specifications?" It's a snapshot in time, usually at the end of the manufacturing line. Reliability testing, on the other hand, is a design and engineering-focused activity that asks, "Did we design the product correctly to survive its expected lifetime?" It uses reliability testing equipment to project performance far into the future. For example, a QC test might check if a phone turns on, while a reliability test would put the phone in a chamber for 500 hours of heat and humidity to see if it still turns on, simulating years of use.

Developing a reliability test plan is the first step before using your reliability testing equipment. The process begins by defining the product's expected lifecycle and use environments. Where in the world will it be used? What temperatures will it see? How will it be transported? Next, identify the potential failure modes based on past experience and engineering analysis (FMEA). With this information, you can select the appropriate tests. For example, if solder joint fatigue is a concern, a rapid thermal cycling test is chosen. If shipping damage is a risk, a vibration and drop test is necessary. Finally, you determine the test parameters, such as the temperature range, number of cycles, and vibration profile, often referencing industry standards. This plan provides the roadmap for using your reliability testing equipment to effectively validate the product's durability.

Reliability testing equipment is a family of machines designed to simulate a wide range of real-world and accelerated stresses. The most prominent category is environmental testing equipment, which includes temperature and humidity chambers, thermal shock chambers, rapid rate temperature chambers, and salt spray chambers for corrosion tests. The second major category is mechanical testing equipment, which assesses physical durability. This includes universal testing machines for tensile and compression strength, vibration test systems (shakers) to simulate transport and operational vibration, and shock testing machines. For specific industries like electronics, this also includes specialized tools like push-pull bond testers. A comprehensive reliability lab, like one equipped by WBE, will have a mix of these systems to get a complete picture of a product's long-term durability.